Cost Engineer

Safran S.A.; Gainesville (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries

Paid holidays

Recognition programs

Comprehensive benefits

401K with employer match

Professional development

Tuition assistance

Global career paths

Job summary

Safran Seats in Gainesville, Texas, seeks a Lead Cost Engineer to drive cost reduction across the full product line and contribute to aerospace seating innovations at a global level.

The role focuses on developing standardized cost models, supporting bids and changes, and collaborating with design, manufacturing and purchasing teams to deliver competitive, reliable seating solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 10 years of experience in manufacturing/costing.
• Knowledge of financial principles (costing, margins, business plans).
• Engineering or manufacturing background required.
• Experience in automotive or aerospace manufacturing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost reduction activities with owners across the organization.
• Optimize the full family of parts to reduce cost across the product line.
• Provide recurring costs estimates for bids, advanced projects and developments, including aftermarket costs.
• Create standardized parametric recurring cost models and tools per commodity; improve them.
• Support change control boards by assessing cost impacts of changes.
• Assist with make/buy decisions ensuring cost optimization.

Skills

Cost engineering

Financial analysis

Manufacturing cost modelling

Engineering background

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Industrial/Mechanical Engineering

10 years experience in manufacturing, costing, project or program management

Tools

Cost models development

Cost estimation tools

Job description

Overview

At Safran, we believe in sustainable career journeys, collaboration as a cornerstone of innovation, and the freedom to explore diverse career paths. As a Lead Cost Engineer, you'll contribute to meaningful projects that shape the future of aerospace.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost reduction activities, with the appropriate owners (product line manager, program manager, Program Purchasing, Commodity Manager, Design Engineer, Architect and Manufacturing Engineer).
• Optimize the full family of parts to optimize the cost on the full product line.
• Responsible for giving the recurring costs estimates for bids, advanced projects and developments, including aftermarket costs.
• Create standardized parametric recurring costs models and tools per commodity with the support from research & technology, Program Purchasing and Commodity manager and aftermarket departments. Once created, improve them.
• Support all change control boards' activities with the assessment of costs impacts of considered changes.
• Support the make/buy decision and make sure the strategy is optimized to obtain the best costs.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries
• Paid holidays
• Recognition programs
• Comprehensive benefits
• Retirement (401K) plans with employer match
• Professional development opportunities
• Tuition assistance
• Over 300 career paths across global sites

Highlights from Our Facility

Safran Seats in Gainesville, Texas, plays a big role in making top‑notch aircraft seats for airlines around the world. The team here is known for their know‑how and dedication to building comfortable, reliable seats for both commercial and business planes. With a focus on quality and new ideas, the Gainesville facility helps keep Safran at the forefront of the aviation seating industry, working closely with airlines and aircraft makers to deliver seats passengers appreciate.

Join Safran Seats. Here we craft excellence together. At Safran Seats, we value service‑oriented team players who demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, a positive attitude, and the ability to adapt to our dynamic, innovative environment.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Industrial, Mechanical Engineering or related degree is required. Or equivalent (12 years) training and experience is required.
• Additional 10 years of experience in manufacturing, costing, project or program management required.
• Basic knowledge of key financial principles (Standard Costing, growth margin, business plan, etc.) required.
• This position requires an individual with an engineering or manufacturing background.
• Proven experience within a comparable manufacturing industry (automotive, aerospace etc.) is preferred.
• Knowledge of several manufacturing processes and understanding of their cost structure with regard to both design and manufacturing work instruction highly recommended.

Attributes

• Innovative & Curious
• Collaborative & Inclusive
• Committed to Safety
• Trustworthy
• Results Focused
• Driven to Excellence
• Powered by Teamwork

Equal Opportunity Employment

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

Safran Seats is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. For verification or accommodation requests, please email [e-mail] or call 940-363-2068. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case‑by‑case basis.

Candidates for positions with Safran Seats must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Employment eligibility verification will be required at the time of hire.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Relocation assistance is not offered for this position.