Cost Estimator - Airbags and Restraints

Job Description

Cost Analyst - Airbags and Restraints

We are the movers of the world and the makers of the future. We get up every day, roll up our sleeves and build a better world – together. At Ford, we’re all a part of something bigger than ourselves. Are you ready to change the way the world moves? Product Development uses design thinking & user experience methods to deliver breakthrough products and services that delight our customers.

We bring innovative, exciting, and sustainable ideas to life. We have opportunities around the world for you to contribute to advancements in autonomy, electrification, smart mobility technologies, and more!

In this position, you will act as a Cost Estimating Analyst for Airbags and Restraints, interfacing with key stakeholders in Purchasing (Supply Chain), Product Development (including Programs), Material Cost, and Finance for all matters related to part costs for Airbag and Restraint commodities. This role requires a strategic influencer who can manage an ambiguous environment.

What you’ll do…

• Develop piece cost and tooling estimates for assigned commodities, requiring an extensive understanding of manufacturing cost structure and supply base capability.
• Support cost target setting, commercial pricing agreements, and change control processes for forward and current model vehicle programs by delivering accurate estimates, including detailed cost gap analysis.
• Support vehicle teardowns, benchmark standard methodologies, and identify material cost reduction opportunities.
• Actively support strategic commodity initiatives with relevant cost analyses.
• Develop and deliver executive‑level presentations to senior leadership in support of the cost analysis being performed in a clear, concise, and convincing manner.
• Ensure reasonable, physicals‑based, Best‑In‑Class assumptions for part manufacturing of their respective commodities and convincingly convey principles to stakeholders & partners.
• Demonstrate strong understanding of differences between Activity Based Costing, volume‑based costing, and “Should Cost.” Provide technical guidance and variance explanations between ABC, suppliers’ costing methodologies, and “Should Cost” estimates.
• Facilitate and participate on supplier plant visits, preferably with Supply Chain and STA, to support benchmarking, data gathering, training, negotiations, or other activities as needed to ensure physicals‑based cost estimates, quantifiable gap analyses, and viable cost reductions.
• Provide negotiation support to Supply Chain as they engage senior supplier representatives to achieve material cost reductions.
• Support 4+ day onsite requirement with occasional travel to both Ford and Supplier facilities.
• Deliver robust cost estimates and analyses in support of Program Lifecycle, TVM, Benchmarking, etc., as required to drive design and commercial cost reductions.

You'll have…

• Bachelor’s degree required – must possess either an engineering undergraduate degree with 3+ years of business and/or finance experience, or a finance/business degree with 3+ years of manufacturing experience.
• 3+ years of experience in automotive component manufacturing processes.
• Proficiency in data analysis.
• Demonstrated history of driving agile transformation in a costing environment.
• Exceptional communication (oral & written), facilitation, team building, conflict resolution, and collaboration skills in cross‑functional, diverse environments.
• Experience implementing advanced agile approaches utilizing data analytics and the use of AI to help modernize and improve efficiency.
• Persuasive storytelling abilities enabling you to promote your ideas at the highest levels, gain alignment, generate excitement, and instigate momentum in complex matrixed environments.
• A hyper‑collaborative mindset and ability to partner with teams and leaders regardless of level.
• Tenacity, grit, and a persistent sense of urgency with a bias for action (even in ambiguous and fluid situations).
• A Cost Estimator/Cost Analyst should possess experience in more than one of the following:
• Driver Assist Systems (i.e., Instrument Clusters/Smart Displays)
• Metal Casting:
  Ferrous, AL, Mg
• Extrusi…