Principle Costing Engineer

Randstad; Ipoh; On-site; MYR 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global staffing firm is seeking an experienced Principal Costing Engineer to join their Global Operations team in Malaysia, Perak, Ipoh. This critical role involves developing and maintaining cost models for semiconductor production, conducting variance analysis, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to optimize costs. Candidates should have a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering and a minimum of 5 years of related experience. Advanced skills in Excel and experience with ERP systems like SAP or Oracle are essential. Competitive salary and benefits will be offered.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years of experience in product costing, cost engineering, or financial analysis within semiconductor manufacturing.
• Expertise in semiconductor manufacturing cost drivers across the value chain.

Responsibilities

• Design and own cost models for semiconductor products.
• Conduct cost variance analysis and partner with Operations.
• Lead costing for New Product Introductions.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Cost Model Ownership

Variance Analysis

Cost Optimization

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Electrical, Electronics, Industrial, or Manufacturing)

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Microsoft Excel

Job description

We are seeking a highly experienced and analytical Principal Costing Engineer to join our dynamic Global Operations team.

You will be the subject matter expert responsible for the development, maintenance, and strategic deployment of end-to-end product costing models across the entire semiconductor manufacturing flow—from wafer fabrication through assembly and final testing.

This is a critical, cross‑functional role that ensures product pricing, margin analysis, and profitability strategies are built upon precise, technically‑validated, and compliant financial data.

Key Responsibilities

• Cost Model Ownership: Design, develop, and own sophisticated cost models for semiconductor products (e.g., Die Cost, Wafer Cost, Assembly & Test Cost) using technical inputs like yield, process cycle time, throughput, and material consumption.
• Variance Analysis: Conduct in-depth cost variance analysis (standard vs. actual) and margin analysis; investigate deviations and partner with Operations to implement corrective actions.
• Strategic Costing & NPI: Lead the costing effort for New Product Introductions (NPI), providing early‑stage cost estimates and validating Bills of Material (BOM) and process routings to influence design‑for‑cost decisions.
• Cost Optimization: Collaborate closely with Process, Product, and Yield Engineering teams to identify and quantify opportunities for cost‑down initiatives, process efficiency improvements, and yield enhancement.
• Scenario Planning: Execute detailed "what‑if" simulations and sensitivity analyses to assess the financial impact of potential process changes, technology shifts, or supply chain variations.
• Reporting & Compliance: Prepare, standardize, and present regular cost roll‑up reports, dashboards, and management summaries. Ensure all cost accounting practices adhere strictly to GAAP/IFRS and internal financial policies.
• System Integration: Manage the accurate setup and maintenance of cost data within the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system (e.g., SAP/Oracle).

Impact & Results

• Cost Accuracy: Achieve and sustain superior accuracy in product cost models and reduce cost variance volatility.
• Margin Improvement: Directly contribute to measurable cost savings and margin optimization through data‑driven recommendations.
• Strategic Visibility: Provide reliable, timely, and actionable cost visibility to inform strategic product pricing and margin control decisions.
• System Integrity: Ensure on‑time and compliant cost reporting and maintenance of the integrity of costing data within the ERP system.

Experience & Skills

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Electrical, Electronics, Industrial, or Manufacturing).
• Experience: Minimum 5+ years of progressive experience in product costing, cost engineering, or financial analysis within the semiconductor, electronics, or complex discrete manufacturing industry.
• Technical Knowledge: Strong, hands‑on understanding of semiconductor manufacturing cost drivers across the value chain:
  • Wafer Fabrication (WFE) process flow and associated costs.
  • Die Sort, Assembly, and Final Test (A&T) process and cost structure.
• Systems Proficiency: Expert‑level proficiency in advanced Microsoft Excel modeling and practical experience using major ERP systems (SAP or Oracle) for cost accounting modules.
• Analytical Skills: Proven track record in detailed yield analysis, process time calculation, and package cost impact assessment.

Good to Have

• Experience utilizing data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) or automation skills (e.g., VBA, Python) for enhanced reporting and data analysis.
• Familiarity with statistical process control (SPC) and leading cross‑functional cost optimization or value engineering projects.
• Prior experience or knowledge related to Outsourced Assembly and Test (OSAT) costing models and negotiations.
• Relevant professional certification (e.g., CMA, CPA, CIMA).