Seating Cost Engineer

Job Title: Seating Cost Engineer

Location: Farmington Hills, Michigan

Position Type: Contract

Duration: 6 / 12 Month

Work Type: Onsite

Rate: Pay range offered to a successful candidate will be based on several factors, including the candidate's education, work experience, work location, specific job duties, certifications, etc.

Job Description:

We are seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Seating Cost Engineer to support OEM programs across various commodities including Steel Stamping, Steel Welding, Plastic Injection, Foam Manufacturing, and Seating Trim (PVC, PU, Leather).
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in seating engineering and manufacturing processes, with a focus on cost estimation, analysis, and optimization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and validate cost models for seating components and systems across multiple manufacturing processes.

• Analyze supplier quotes and manufacturing data to ensure cost competitiveness and accuracy.

• Collaborate with engineering, purchasing, and supplier teams to identify cost-saving opportunities.

• Support sourcing decisions with detailed cost breakdowns and technical assessments.

• Lead cost benchmarking activities for seating commodities including:
o Steel Stamping & Welding
o Plastic Injection Molding
o Foam Manufacturing
o Seating Trim Materials (PVC, PU, Leather)

• Evaluate design changes and their impact on cost and manufacturability.

• Prepare and present cost reports and recommendations to internal stakeholders and OEM teams.

What are the Mandatory skills and skill proficiencies required for this position?

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field.

• 5+ years of experience in automotive seating engineering or cost estimation.

• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and materials used in seating systems.

• Proficiency in cost modeling tools and techniques.

• Excellent analytical, communication, and presentation skills.

• Experience working with OEM

What are the Optional skills and skill proficiencies for this position?

• Familiarity with global supplier base and cost structures.

• Knowledge of CAD tools and engineering drawings.

• Experience with cost engineering software (e.g., Costimator, aPriori).

ABOUT Ztek:

Website:

Ztek Consulting Inc is a minority- and woman-owned business enterprise that leverages a unique blend of human talent, machine learning algorithms, and artificial intelligence to provide customized talent management solutions for clients. Ztek's diversity-focused hiring models have proven successful, particularly in hiring veterans. The company's veteran-focused hiring and deployment program, Z-V.E.T, matches skilled veterans with clients' needs in various areas.

Disclaimer:

Ztek is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits any kind of unlawful discrimination and harassment. Ztek is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national origin, citizenship, social or ethnic origin, sex, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by the statutes, rules, and regulations in the locations where it operates.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, please contact us at  Please indicate the specifics of the assistance needed. Ztek encourages all interested and qualified candidates to apply for employment opportunities. Ztek does not discriminate against applicants based on citizenship status, immigration status, or national origin, in accordance with 8 U.S.C. 1324b.