Chassis Value Optimization Engineer

SEGULA Technologies; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

SEGULA Technologies, Auburn Hills, is seeking a Chassis Value Optimization Engineer to lead cost-reduction and value-improvement efforts across current and future vehicle programs. You will collaborate with Design, Purchasing, Supplier Quality, Manufacturing and Finance to identify opportunities and implement changes without compromising performance, quality, and regulatory compliance.

You will analyze costs, feasibility, and supplier proposals, perform trade-off studies, and support validation

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 3–7 years in Automotive Chassis Engineering, Cost Engineering, Value Engineering, or Product Optimization.
• Strong understanding of chassis systems, manufacturing processes and product development lifecycle.
• Proven cross-functional teamwork with design, purchasing, suppliers and programs.

Responsibilities

• Identify and drive cost-reduction and value-enhancement initiatives for chassis systems.
• Analyze component costs, design feasibility, manufacturing processes and supplier proposals.
• Collaborate with Design Release Engineers, Purchasing, Manufacturing and Program Management on changes.
• Conduct trade-off analyses balancing cost, weight, quality and durability.
• Support benchmarking, teardowns and industry comparison activities.
• Review drawings, BOMs and CAD data to spot optimization opportunities.
• Track cost-saving projects and report progress to leadership.
• Support validation to meet internal standards and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Chassis systems

Cost engineering

Value engineering

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

DFMEA

DVP&R

APQP

GD&T

Engineering change management

Job description

We are seeking a Chassis Value Optimization Engineer to support cost reduction and value optimization initiatives for chassis systems across current and future vehicle programs. In this role, you will work cross-functionally with Design, Purchasing, Supplier Quality, Manufacturing, and Finance teams to identify, evaluate, and implement cost-saving opportunities while maintaining strict standards for vehicle performance, quality, durability, and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify & Drive Optimization: Lead cost-reduction and value-enhancement initiatives for key chassis systems, including suspension, steering, brakes, wheels, tires, frames, and subframes.
• Cost & Feasibility Analysis: Analyze component costs, design feasibility, manufacturing processes, and supplier proposals to hit aggressive cost-reduction targets.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Design Release Engineers (DREs), Purchasing, Suppliers, Manufacturing, and Program Management to implement approved design and process changes.
• Trade-Off Studies: Conduct engineering trade‑off analyses balancing cost, weight, quality, durability, and overall performance.
• Benchmarking & Competitive Analysis: Support competitive vehicle teardowns and industry benchmarking activities to identify best practices.
• Technical Reviews: Review engineering drawings, Bills of Materials (BOMs), and CAD data to uncover new optimization opportunities.
• Project Tracking: Monitor cost‑saving projects, report progress to management, and ensure timely implementation within product development milestones.
• Validation & Compliance: Support validation activities to ensure all design updates meet strict internal engineering standards and regulatory requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Experience: 3-7 years of experience in Automotive Chassis Engineering, Cost Engineering, Value Engineering, or Product Optimization.
• Domain Knowledge: Strong understanding of chassis systems, manufacturing processes, and the overall automotive product development lifecycle.
• Teamwork: Proven track record of working effectively with cross‑functional engineering teams and tier‑1/tier‑2 suppliers.
• Technical Tools: Solid working knowledge of DFMEA, DVP&R, APQP, GD&T, and engineering change management processes.
• Core Skills: Strong analytical, communication, and problem‑solving abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with OEM automotive product development processes and engineering workflows.
• Hands‑on exposure to CAD and PLM software (e.g., CATIA V5/V6, Teamcenter, Windchill).
• Direct experience leading value engineering, teardowns, or benchmarking projects.
• Background in supplier cost structure analysis and advanced manufacturing processes.

SEGULA Technologies is a global engineering group, boosting the competitiveness of all major industrial sectors: automotive, aerospace, energy, rail, naval, life sciences, and telecoms. With a presence in more than 30 countries and 140 locations worldwide, the Group prioritizes close relationships with its clients, driven by the expertise of its 15,000 employees. As a leading engineering player putting innovation at the heart of its strategy, SEGULA Technologies manages large‑scale projects, ranging from initial studies to industrialization and production. SEGULA TECHNOLOGIES is dedicated to gender balance and diversity, recognizing and recruiting talent of all backgrounds.