Strategic Value & Cost Engineer — Design-to-Cost Expert

VAT Vakuumventile AG; Den Haag; On-site; EUR 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

VAT Group seeks a Value and Cost Engineer to lead should-cost and cost modelling for engineered products. You will validate supplier costs, support Design-to-Cost projects, and identify VA/VE opportunities to reduce total product cost.

Applicants should have 5+ years in cost engineering, strong Excel and data analysis skills, and experience with cross-functional teams in global settings. Fluency in English is essential; German is a plus.

Qualifications

• Technical background in mechanics, mechanical engineering, production engineering, or similar.
• Degree in Mechanical Engineering HF/FH or equivalent.
• Over 5 years of experience in cost engineering, development, value engineering, or strategic procurement.
• Demonstrated experience with cost modelling and supplier cost analysis.
• Experience in complex global organizational environments.
• Background in machinery, vacuum technology or semiconductor-related production is beneficial.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional or category-focused teams.
• Solid project management experience.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to influence outcomes through expertise (without direct authority).
• Ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong risk-based analytical approach.
• Effective collaboration and stakeholder management.
• Fluent in English; good German preferred (or strong German + B1 English).

Responsibilities

• Lead cost estimation activities including should-cost, cost modelling, and top-down/bottom-up analyses for engineered products.
• Conduct detailed cost analyses and validate supplier cost breakdowns and manufacturing processes.
• Support sourcing activities for Design-to-Cost projects to ensure cost-effective outcomes.
• Identify and support VA/VE opportunities to optimize total product cost.
• Analyze tools and part costs for mechanical and electronic components and maintain cost databases.
• Provide analytical input for supplier negotiations through fact-based insights and benchmarks.
• Conduct cost audits to validate accuracy, transparency, and compliance with cost structures.
• Identify cost-reduction opportunities and efficiency improvements at suppliers.
• Develop cost models to support product design early in development (DfC, DfM, DfSC).
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather data and assess risks.
• Provide regular reporting on cost saving initiatives and support central decision-making (target costing, benchmarking, make-or-buy analysis, budgeting).

Skills

Cost modelling

Value engineering

Cost estimation

Supplier cost analysis

Design-to-Cost

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Microsoft Excel

PowerBI

English proficient

German helpful

Education

HF/FH Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerBI

Job description

VAT Group seeks a Value and Cost Engineer to lead should-cost and cost modelling for engineered products. You will validate supplier costs, support Design-to-Cost projects, and identify VA/VE opportunities to reduce total product cost.

Applicants should have 5+ years in cost engineering, strong Excel and data analysis skills, and experience with cross-functional teams in global settings. Fluency in English is essential; German is a plus.