Cost Calculation

Carcoustics International GmbH; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Carcoustics International GmbH in Troy, MI seeks a Calculation & Target Costing Engineer to develop accurate product cost models and support quotation activities. You will drive target costing for new and existing programs, evaluating BOMs, materials, labor, and tooling to ensure profitable growth.

Collaborate with Engineering, Purchasing, Operations, and Sales to establish competitive cost models and lead cost reduction initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Finance, Business, or related field.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in product costing, target costing, manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, estimating, or financial analysis.
• Experience with automotive OEM or Tier 1 suppliers preferred.
• Strong Excel and data analysis skills; ability to read engineering drawings and CAD models.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed cost calculations for customer quotations and product changes.
• Create and maintain target cost models for automotive acoustic and thermal products.
• Analyze BOMs, raw materials, labor, overhead, tooling, and logistics costs.
• Evaluate manufacturing processes including thermoforming, injection molding, and assembly.
• Support RFQ activities with timely, accurate cost estimates.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to optimize designs for cost and manufacturability.
• Work with Purchasing to evaluate supplier quotes and identify savings.
• Perform cost benchmarking and competitive analyses.
• Support value engineering and cost reduction initiatives.
• Develop ROI analyses for tooling and automation investments.
• Monitor costs against quotes and maintain costing database standards.
• Prepare management reports and participate in program reviews.

Skills

Cost Estimation

Target Costing

Financial Analysis

Manufacturing Processes

Value Engineering

Cost Optimization

Data Analysis

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

Power BI

SAP

ERP systems

Job description

As a global leader in acoustic and thermal management solutions for the automotive industry, Carcoustics develops innovative products that improve vehicle comfort, performance, and sustainability. Our solutions include acoustic systems, thermal insulation components, underbody systems, wheel arch liners, trunk trim, and other technologies that reduce noise, vibration, and heat transmission in modern vehicles.

Position Summary

The Calculation & Target Costing Engineer is responsible for developing accurate product cost calculations, supporting quotation activities, and driving target costing initiatives for new and existing programs. This role works closely with Engineering, Purchasing, Operations, Program Management, and Sales to establish competitive cost models that support profitable business growth.

The successful candidate will leverage their manufacturing knowledge and analytical expertise to evaluate product designs, material costs, tooling investments, labor content, automation opportunities, and manufacturing processes. This position plays a critical role in supporting customer quotations, identifying cost reduction opportunities, and ensuring alignment with profitability objectives throughout the product lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop detailed cost calculations for customer quotations, new business opportunities, and product changes.
• Create and maintain target cost models for automotive acoustic and thermal management products.
• Analyze bills of materials (BOMs), raw materials, purchased components, labor, overhead, tooling, packaging, and logistics costs.
• Evaluate manufacturing processes including thermoforming, injection molding, assembly, and automated production systems.
• Support RFQ activities by providing timely, accurate, and competitive cost estimates.
• Collaborate with Product Engineering and Process Engineering teams to optimize product designs for cost and manufacturability.
• Work with Purchasing to evaluate supplier quotations and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Perform cost benchmarking studies and competitive analyses.
• Support value engineering and continuous improvement initiatives aimed at achieving target costs.
• Develop financial justifications and ROI analyses for tooling, equipment, and automation investments.
• Monitor actual manufacturing costs against quoted assumptions and identify improvement opportunities.
• Maintain costing databases, cost standards, assumptions, and calculation methodologies.
• Prepare professional reports and presentations for management review and business case evaluations.
• Participate in cross-functional program reviews and support successful product launches.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Finance, Business, or a related technical field.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in product costing, target costing, manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, estimating, or financial analysis within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting automotive OEM or Tier 1 suppliers preferred.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes including:
• Thermoforming
• Injection molding
• Assembly operations
• Automation systems
• Tooling and capital equipment
• Strong analytical, financial, and problem‑solving skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with ERP systems and cost modeling tools.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, and technical specifications.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with automotive acoustic or thermal management products.
• Knowledge of value engineering and target costing methodologies.
• Experience with SAP or similar ERP platforms.
• Familiarity with Power BI and data visualization tools.
• Experience supporting manufacturing launch activities and cost improvement programs.

Key Competencies

• Product Cost Estimation
• Target Costing
• Financial Analysis
• Manufacturing Processes
• Value Engineering
• Cost Optimization
• Data Analysis
• Business Acumen
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Continuous Improvement

What Success Looks Like

• Delivers accurate and timely cost estimates that support competitive quotations.
• Identifies cost reduction opportunities that improve program profitability.
• Establishes reliable target costs for new product development programs.
• Provides actionable cost analysis that supports strategic business decisions.
• Collaborates effectively across Purchasing, Engineering, Operations, and Commercial teams.
• Contributes to the successful launch and profitability of new programs.

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