Senior Cost Engineer

Xanadu; Toronto; On-site; CAD 85,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Xanadu in Toronto is seeking a Cost Engineer to lead bottom-up cost modeling and design-to-cost initiatives across photonic quantum hardware. You will bridge Hardware Design, Manufacturing Operations and Strategic Sourcing, building granular cost models for PCBs, photonic assemblies, and enclosures, guiding supplier negotiations and ensuring target margins.

Required are a 3+ year background in should-cost engineering, proficiency with aPriori/Costimator, and strong Excel/Python skills.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems, Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 3+ years in should-cost engineering, product cost estimation, or technical strategic sourcing in a complex hardware environment.
• Proficiency in Clean-Sheet Analysis, Bottom-Up Costing, and Value Engineering (VAVE).
• Strong working knowledge of electronics manufacturing processes (SMT, PCB fabrication, sheet metal, enclosure assembly) with exposure to optics/photonics.
• Hands-on experience with cost-estimation software (aPriori, Costimator) and Excel/Python.

Responsibilities

• Develop bottom-up cost models for electronic assemblies, tooling, mechanical enclosures, and photonic hardware.
• Quantify cost impact of component selection, packaging, manufacturing steps, and test yields.
• Support procurement negotiations with data-driven cost insights.
• Identify cost-reduction opportunities via material substitutions and simplified assembly.

Skills

Bottom-Up Cost Modeling

Should-cost Engineering

Value Engineering (VAVE)

Design for Manufacturability (DFM)

Supplier Negotiation

Vendor Management

Cross-functional Collaboration

Excel

Python

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

aPriori

Costimator

Excel

Python

Job description

Hardware - Toronto, ON, Canada - Full Time

About Xanadu:

Xanadu’s mission is to build quantum computers that are useful and available to people everywhere.

At Xanadu, we are learners, innovators, researchers, collaborators and problem solvers. We are creating something that has never been built before. What we are doing is extremely hard, the classic moon shot. Few people in their life will be able to be a part of something like this, where if we are successful, the technologies we develop will solve some of the world’s most challenging problems, and literally change the world. And that is something to be excited about!

Your role and responsibilities:

We are seeking a Cost Engineer to lead bottom-up cost modeling, technical clean-sheet analysis, and design-to-cost initiatives across our photonic quantum computing portfolio. In this role, you will bridge the gap between Hardware Design, Manufacturing Operations, and Strategic Sourcing. You will build granular cost models for complex electronic and optical assemblies—ranging from standard printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs) to photonic quantum computing hardware and custom enclosures. Your insights will directly shape product architecture decisions, guide supplier negotiations, and ensure target profit margins are met throughout the product lifecycle.

• Bottom-Up Cost Modeling & Clean Sheets: Develop process-based "should-cost" models for electronic assemblies, custom tooling, mechanical enclosures, and emerging optoelectronic/photonic hardware components.
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM) & Yield: Partner with Hardware Design Engineers and foundry/EMS partners to quantify the cost impact of component selection, optical packaging, manufacturing steps, and test yields.
• Supplier Negotiation & Technical Benchmarking: Evaluate vendor quotes against internal clean-sheet models to highlight pricing gaps, eliminate unneeded cost drivers, and provide data-driven support during procurement negotiations.
• Value Engineering (VAVE): Identify cost-reduction opportunities across standard electronic hardware and next-generation quantum photonics modules through material substitutions and simplified assembly steps without compromising quality.
• Cost Tooling & Process Automation: Utilize cost-estimation software (e.g., aPriori, Costimator) or custom parametric models to track product target costs against actual estimates across design revisions.

Basic qualifications and experience:

• Education: B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems, Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Experience: 3+ years in should-cost engineering, product cost estimation, or technical strategic sourcing in a complex hardware environment
• Core Technical Competencies:
• Proficiency in Clean-Sheet Analysis , Bottom-Up Costing , and Value Engineering (VAVE) .
• Strong working knowledge of standard electronics manufacturing processes (SMT, PCB fabrication, sheet metal, enclosure assembly) with exposure to integrated optics or photonics.
• Hands-on experience with parametric costing software (aPriori, Costimator) and advanced analytical tools (Excel, Python).
• Direct experience interpreting engineering drawings, schematics, and Bill of Materials (BOM) data to calculate material, labor, and overhead costs.

Preferred qualifications and experience:

• High-level familiarity with advanced semiconductor manufacturing, silicon photonics, or quantum computing hardware architectures.
• Experience working directly with Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) providers, commercial foundries, and specialized optics suppliers.
• Strong background in vendor management and cross-functional project leadership.

Our values are important. They are fundamental and lay the foundation for culture at Xanadu. Learn more about our values here .

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We are committed to building an inclusive, safe, and equitable culture and fostering an environment where our employees feel included, valued, and heard. We are committed to meeting the needs of all individuals and support a barrier-free workplace. Should you require accommodations at any point during the recruitment process please contact Recruiting at [e-mail] .

Please be advised that we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the screening and assessment of applicants for this position. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.