Engineer_VAVE

KOHLER India; Hadapsar; On-site; INR 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

KOHLER India is seeking an entry-level Engineer – VAVE Design to support cost-optimization projects while maintaining product quality and compliance. You will work on CAD modeling, BOM analysis, benchmarking, and documentation across Faucets & Kitchen Sinks lines.

Responsibilities include supporting stage-gate processes, collaborating with global teams, and contributing to continuous improvement within VAVE programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in mechanical engineering with 1–3 years in product design, VAVE, cost engineering.
• Master's in engineering design or related discipline preferred with internship or project experience.
• Academic or project exposure to cost reduction, manufacturing processes, or engineering improvements is desirable.
• Ability to work in global cross-functional teams and communicate effectively.

Responsibilities

• VAVE project support from ideation to implementation and stage-gate processes.
• Create/update 3D models and drawings using Creo; support feasibility evaluations for cost optimization.
• Assist in cost-benefit analysis, BOM reviews, and supplier inputs for cost reduction.
• Coordinate with Product Engineering, Manufacturing, Sourcing, and Quality teams; document changes.

Skills

Product Design

Root Cause Analysis

Analytical Thinking

Cost Reduction

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Master's in Engineering Design

Tools

Creo Parametric

Windchill

SAP

MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint)

Job description

At Kohler, our mission is to help people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives. We believe that empowering our associates is essential to making this vision a reality. That’s why we invest in personal and professional growth, encourage collaboration across teams and functions, and offer a comprehensive wellness package that supports the well-being of every team member.

Kohler is an equal opportunity employer. Along with competitive compensation and benefits, we offer something more enduring—a legacy built on bold innovation, creative excellence, and a deep commitment to our people and communities. Learn more about our culture and career opportunities at www.kohler.co.in/careers.

Our approach to hiring reflects our commitment to Global Inclusion. We recruit, hire, and promote qualified individuals in all roles without regard to race, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, or disability. If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please let your recruiter know so we can support you appropriately.

• Position Summary

The Engineer – VAVE Design is responsible for supporting Value Analysis and Value Engineering (VAVE) projects focused on product cost optimization while maintaining product functionality, quality, reliability, compliance, and customer value. This entry-level role supports design changes, CAD modeling, drawing updates, BOM analysis, benchmarking, teardown activities, and engineering documentation across product categories inside Faucets & Kitchen Sinks line including but not limited to Kitchen & Lav Faucets, Valving, Performance Showering, Sinks, and related product platforms.

• Key Responsibilities
  • VAVE Project Support & Execution
• Support execution of VAVE projects through defined stage-gate/exit-gate processes from ideation to implementation.
• Assist in identifying and evaluating cost reduction opportunities through competitive benchmarking, teardown activities, supplier inputs, and opportunity programs.
• Develop basic engineering solutions under guidance that balance cost, quality, manufacturability, and customer requirements.
• Support Request for Engineering Action (REA) execution, engineering change requests, and documentation activities.
• Track assigned tasks, support project timelines, and elevate risks or gaps to the VAVE Design leader.
  • Product Design & Creo Expertise
• Create and update 3D models, assemblies, drawings, and engineering documentation using PTC Creo under guidance.
• Prepare alternate design concepts and support feasibility evaluations for cost optimization.
• Support solid modeling, drafting, basic GD&T application, tolerance reviews, and design modifications.
• Support engineering validation through simulations, design reviews, and prototype evaluations.
• Support design release activities through Windchill and SAP systems.
  • Design-to-Cost & Cost Engineering
• Develop working knowledge of Design-to-Cost (DTC) principles and VAVE methodology.
• Support product BOM reviews and identify potential cost reduction opportunities with guidance.
• Assist in cost-benefit analysis for design alternatives, material substitutions, and process improvements.
• Coordinate with sourcing, suppliers, and senior engineers to gather inputs for cost-effective solutions.
• Support should-costing, cost estimation, and savings documentation activities.
• Actively participate in VAVE Kaizen events, teardown workshops, benchmarking exercises, and ideation sessions.
• Contribute to generation of cost reduction ideas through cross-functional collaboration.
• Assist implementation of ideas generated from Kaizen and supplier VAVE activities.
• Promote continuous improvement and best practices across VAVE programs.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Work closely with Product Engineering, Manufacturing, Sourcing, Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, Testing, and Program Management teams.
• Coordinate engineering change activities and ensure alignment with business objectives.
• Prepare basic technical summaries, data, and presentation inputs for reviews with stakeholders.

Support collaboration with global teams and external partners for project execution.

RELATIONSHIPS AND CONTACTS:

Supervisory Relationships:

Reports to VAVE Design - Leader.

Organization Relationships:

Equivalent counterparts of business units and peers in the group.

External Business Relationships:

Third party service providers.

EXPERIENCE:

• Education
  • Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with 1 to 3 years of experience in Product Design, VAVE, Cost Engineering, Product Development,
  • Master’s degree in engineering design or related discipline with 1 to 2 years of relevant internship, academic project, or industry experience is preferred.
• Academic, internship, or project exposure to cost reduction, product design, manufacturing processes, or engineering improvements is desirable.
• Ability to learn and work in global cross-functional engineering and fast-paced environments.
• Core Engineering Skills
• Good engineering fundamentals in:
  • Mechanics & Strength of Materials
  • Plastic/Sheet Metal/Casting Manufacturing Processes
  • Material Science & Metallurgy
  • Design for Manufacturing (DFM)
  • Design for Assembly (DFA)
  • GD & T, Tolerance Stack-up Analysis
  • Root Cause Analysis
  • Engineering Calculations and Validation
• Basic knowledge of product development processes and engineering change management is preferred.
• Software & Tools
• PTC Creo (basic modeling, drafting, and assembly design)
• Windchill PLM knowledge is preferred.
• Basic SAP awareness is desirable.
• Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint)
• Basic cost analysis and BOM management awareness
• Exposure to simulation or engineering analysis tools is desirable.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
• Ability to convert ambiguous opportunities into executable engineering solutions.
• Basic understanding of engineering standards, compliance requirements, and quality systems.
• Exposure to New Product Development (NPD), VAVE, or product lifecycle management is preferred.
• Effective communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage assigned tasks, follow project priorities, and seek guidance when needed.
• Continuous learning mindset and commitment to engineering excellence.
• Awareness of Lean, Six Sigma, VAVE methodology, and continuous improvement tools is preferred.

Mandatory Skills

Product Design, Creo Parametric, Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (Gd&T), Plastic Design, Sheet Metal Design

Location