VAVE Expert | Value Engineering for Next‑Gen Detection

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

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.