VAVE Expert

Smiths Group; Hemel Hempstead; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Smiths Detection is seeking a VAVE Expert to drive value engineering and functional analysis across global security and detection technologies. You will work with Systems, Electronics, Mechanical and Product Engineering to deliver customer value at the lowest lifecycle cost.

In this engineering‑led role, you’ll shape product architecture, influence design decisions and maximise value while maintaining safety, quality and regulatory compliance. Hybrid work is available from Hemel Hempstead site.

Qualifications

• Experience applying Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VAVE) methodologies.
• Understanding of Functional Analysis and Design-to-Cost principles.
• Experience with complex engineered products and assemblies.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, schematics and technical documentation.
• Strong workshop facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Eligible for UK SC Clearance.
• Experience in security screening, detection systems, aerospace or defence sectors.
• Knowledge of cost management methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead Value Analysis and Value Engineering assessments across new and existing products.
• Facilitate Functional Analysis workshops with engineering and cross‑functional teams.
• Break complex products into functional building blocks and assess value and cost.
• Deploy Design-to-Cost and target costing within New Product Introduction programmes.
• Influence concept, architecture and design decisions from a value and cost perspective.
• Challenge engineering assumptions and identify opportunities for simplification and standardisation.
• Conduct product teardown, benchmarking and reverse‑engineering activities.
• Lead supplier value engineering workshops and innovation sessions.
• Support make‑versus‑buy decisions and technology selection.
• Develop business cases for value improvement opportunities.
• Coach teams in VAVE principles and tools.
• Drive measurable cost reduction and product competitiveness.

Skills

Value Analysis

Value Engineering

Functional Analysis

Design-to-Cost

Cost reduction

Workshop facilitation

Stakeholder engagement

Problem solving

Systems thinking

UK SC Clearance eligible

Education

Engineering degree (Electronics/Electrical/Systems/Mechanical/Product)

Tools

VAVE toolkits

DFMA

Lean

Six Sigma

Job description

Every minute of every day, Smiths Detection’s threat detection and security screening technology helps to protect people and infrastructure, making the world a safer place.

Smiths Detection is a global leader in the development, manufacture and management of security and detection solutions designed to make the world a safer place. Our technology provides threat detection and screening solutions for customers in our key markets: aviation, ports and borders, defence, and urban security.

Our expertise spans 21 global offices, seven manufacturing sites and five R&D centres, with a global network of 3,500 dedicated colleagues contributing towards over 40 years at the frontline of advances in safety and security.

This results in careers built on variety and the opportunity to work on a range of state-of-the‑art solutions, where you can develop your knowledge and experience every day.

Job Description

Smiths Detection is seeking a VAVE Expert to drive Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VAVE), Functional Analysis and Design-to-Cost methodologies across our global portfolio of security and detection technologies.

This is an engineering‑led role, not a procurement or sourcing position.

Working at the early stages of product development, you will partner with engineering teams to understand the functional purpose of products and assemblies, challenge design assumptions, and identify innovative ways to deliver optimum customer value at the lowest total lifecycle cost.

You will play a key role in shaping product architecture, influencing design decisions, improving competitiveness and supporting profitable innovation across our X‑ray, trace detection and chemical detection product portfolios.

About the Role

As the VAVE Expert, you will lead structured functional analysis and value engineering activities across both existing and new products.

You'll work closely with Systems, Electronics, Mechanical and Product Engineering teams to answer key questions such as:

• What is the true purpose of a product or subsystem?
• Is the current design the most effective way of delivering that function?
• Can the same customer value be achieved through an alternative architecture, technology or design approach?
• How can we optimise cost without compromising safety, performance, quality, serviceability or regulatory compliance?

This role goes beyond traditional cost engineering. Rather than simply reducing the cost of an existing design, you will use formal VAVE methodologies to influence product decisions early in the development lifecycle and maximise value for both customers and the business.

What you will be doing:

• Lead Value Analysis and Value Engineering assessments across new and existing products.
• Facilitate Functional Analysis workshops with engineering and cross‑functional teams.
• Break complex products into functional building blocks and assess the value and cost associated with each function.
• Deploy Design-to-Cost and target costing methodologies within New Product Introduction (NPI) programmes.
• Influence concept, architecture and design decisions from a value and cost perspective.
• Challenge engineering assumptions and identify opportunities for simplification, standardisation and platforming.
• Conduct competitive benchmarking, product teardown and reverse‑engineering activities.
• Lead supplier value engineering workshops and innovation sessions.
• Support make‑versus‑buy decisions and technology selection activities.
• Develop business cases for value improvement opportunities.
• Coach teams in VAVE principles, tools and best practices.
• Drive measurable cost reduction, margin improvement and product competitiveness initiatives.

Working environment:
This role is primarily aligned to our Hemel Hempstead site but offers a flexible hybrid working model.

There will be periods where you'll work closely with engineering teams onsite, particularly during intensive VAVE workshops, design reviews and early‑stage product development activities. Outside of these phases, you'll have flexibility to work across global teams and projects.

Travel will be required on an occasional basis, including:

• Visits to Smiths Detection sites in Europe, particularly Wiesbaden, Germany.
• Supplier visits and value engineering workshops.
• Project support activities across the wider business.

Why Join Smiths Detection?

This is a unique opportunity to establish and grow VAVE capability within a global technology business whose products help protect people and critical infrastructure around the world.

You will have direct influence over product strategy, engineering decisions and business performance, working alongside industry‑leading engineers to deliver innovative solutions with measurable commercial impact.

If you're an engineer passionate about functional analysis, value engineering and designing competitive products from the ground up, we'd love to hear from you.

Qualifications

• Engineering background in Electronics, Electrical, Systems, Mechanical or Product Engineering.
• Practical experience applying Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VAVE) methodologies.
• Strong understanding of Functional Analysis and Design-to-Cost principles.
• Experience working with complex engineered products and assemblies.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, schematics and technical documentation.
• Strong workshop facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience influencing engineering decisions without direct authority.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving and systems‑thinking capability.
• Eligible for UK SC Clearance
• Experience within security screening, detection systems, aerospace, defence, medical devices or other highly regulated technology sectors.
• Knowledge of Functional Cost Analysis, Target Costing or industry‑standard VAVE toolkits.
• Experience conducting product teardown, benchmarking and reverse‑engineering activities.
• Understanding of DFMA, Lean, Six Sigma and cost management methodologies.

Additional Information

Join us and we’ll help build your career, with excellent training and opportunities for career growth across the business, both locally and globally. You’ll experience an inclusive environment, with strong leadership and a focus on safety and wellbeing. You’ll also have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of benefits to suit your lifestyle, offering you and your family support from a health and wellbeing, financial andlifestyle perspective.

Join us and work for a world‑leader, with the benefits and training to reward your dedication and skills. Be part of a team where we are making the world a safer place.

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.