Senior Cost Estimation Engineer

Taleo; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India Private Limited in Bangalore seeks an experienced Cost Estimation Engineer to develop detailed should-cost models for automotive components and lead cost benchmarking across electronics, mechanics, and assemblies.

You will support sourcing, supplier negotiations, and design-to-cost initiatives, leveraging data analytics and cross-functional insight to uncover savings opportunities and improve profitability.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of experience in cost engineering, cost estimation, value engineering, strategic procurement, and manufacturing engineering.
• Experience with automotive OEMs or Tier-1 suppliers is highly preferred.
• Strong analytical mindset and commercial acumen.
• Negotiation support capability and data-driven decision making.
• Effective communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed bottom-up cost models for automotive components and systems.
• Estimate material, manufacturing, labor, overhead, tooling, logistics, and supplier margins.
• Conduct should-cost analyses for electronics, wire harnesses, busbars, castings, plastics, sheet metal, E-mobility, and ADAS/Infotainment.
• Monitor raw material trends and track labor, energy, and freight costs.
• Collaborate with procurement, engineering, supplier quality, program management, and finance teams.

Skills

Should Costing

Activity-Based Costing

Design-to-Cost

Teardown Analysis

Value Analysis / VA/VE

Education

Mechanical Engineering

Automotive Engineering

Manufacturing Engineering

Industrial Engineering

Electrical/Electronics Engineering

Job description

Description

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Cost Estimation Engineer to develop accurate should-cost models, perform component cost benchmarking, support sourcing and negotiation activities, and identify cost reduction opportunities across automotive Tier-1 components. The role requires deep understanding of manufacturing processes, materials, electronics, tooling, and automotive supply chains.

Key Responsibilities

1. Should-Cost Modeling & Cost Analysis

• Develop detailed bottom-up cost models for automotive components and systems.
• Estimate material, manufacturing, labor, overhead, tooling, logistics, and supplier margins.
• Conduct should-cost analysis for:
  • Electronics (PCBA, ECUs, Sensors)
  • Wire Harnesses
  • Busbars
  • Castings & Forgings
  • Plastic Injection Molded Parts
  • Stampings & Sheet Metal Components
  • E-Mobility Components
  • ADAS & Infotainment Systems

2. Manufacturing Process Expertise

Perform cost estimation based on understanding of:

Mechanical Components

• Sand Casting
• Forging
• CNC Machining
• Sheet Metal Stamping
• Deep Drawing
• Surface Treatments

Electronics

• PCB Fabrication
• Wave/Reflow Soldering
• Semiconductor Packaging
• Sensor Manufacturing

Plastics & Rubber

• Overmolding
• Compression Molding
• Extrusion Processes
• Benchmark global and regional supplier costs.
• Compare supplier quotations against market intelligence.
• Support negotiations using fact-based cost breakdowns.
• Create target cost models and savings opportunities.
• Analyze manufacturing footprint and localization opportunities.

4. Market Intelligence & Commodity Tracking

• Monitor raw material trends:
  • Steel
  • Aluminum
  • Copper
  • Engineering Plastics
  • Semiconductor Components
• Track labor rates, energy costs, freight, and regional manufacturing economics.
• Support annual cost reduction and budget planning activities.

5. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with:
  • Procurement
  • Engineering
  • Supplier Quality
  • Program Management
  • Finance Teams
• Support RFQ, sourcing decisions, and design-to-cost initiatives.
• Participate in technical reviews and supplier discussions.
• Develop automated costing models and databases.
• Maintain historical cost repositories.
• Support AI/analytics-based costing and benchmarking initiatives.
• Prepare executive dashboards and management reports.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's/Master's Degree in:
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Automotive Engineering
  • Manufacturing Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Electrical/Electronics Engineering

Experience

• 8-10 years of experience in:
  • Cost Engineering
  • Cost Estimation
  • Value Engineering
  • Strategic Procurement
  • Manufacturing Engineering
• Experience with automotive OEMs or Tier-1 suppliers is highly preferred.

Technical Skills

• Should Costing
• Activity-Based Costing
• Design-to-Cost
• Teardown Analysis
• Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VA/VE)

Manufacturing Knowledge

• Casting
• Forging
• Machining
• Stamping
• Electronics Manufacturing
• Strong analytical mindset
• Commercial acumen
• Negotiation support capability
• Effective communication and presentation skills
• Ability to challenge supplier assumptions professionally
• High attention to detail

Preferred Industry Experience

• Electric Vehicles (EV)
• ADAS Systems
• Infotainment Systems
• Battery Systems
• Chassis & Powertrain Components

Why Join Us?

Be part of a purpose-driven organization that is shaping the future of mobility
Work on cutting-edge technologies and global projects
Thrive in a collaborative, diverse, and inclusive environment
Access world-class infrastructure and continuous learning opportunities

Equal Opportunity Statement

At MBRDI, we are committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of gender, background, or ability.

Organization

Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India Private Limited

Primary Location

India-Karnataka-Bangalore

Work Locations

Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India, Embassy Crest 'Embassy Crest' Plot No 5, EPIP Zone, Phase 1, 560 066