Cost Engineer - Technology, Strategy & Methods

ZF Group; Farmington Hills (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Incentive Plan

Paid Vacation

401k Plan

Health Care Benefits

Paid Holidays

Employee Groups & outreach

Job summary

ZF Group is seeking a Cost Engineer – ADAS and Electronics (m/f/d) in Farmington Hills, MI. You will develop cost models for PCBA, electronics components, and electromechanical assemblies, generate estimates during product phases, and drive cost-down initiatives with suppliers and operations.

The role requires a Bachelor’s in Electronics and 5–6 years in electronics-related manufacturing or cost engineering, with strong analytical and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electronics or a related technical discipline.
• 5–6 years of professional experience in manufacturing engineering, R&D, procurement, cost engineering, or process optimization in electronics industry.
• Experience with electronic products, PCB assemblies, and component manufacturing preferred.
• Experience in automotive, industrial electronics, consumer electronics, aerospace, or telecommunications industries preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed cost models for electronic products, PCBAs, components, and electromechanical assemblies.
• Generate cost estimates for new products during quotation, design, and production phases.
• Perform Best Cost analyses to validate supplier quotations and support negotiations.
• Benchmark supplier costs and market pricing of electronic components.
• Contribute to target achievement through should-cost modeling and cost-lever identification.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electronics

Tools

Costing tools

Job description

Reporting to the Head of Cost Engineering, the Cost Engineer delivers best in class product cost and emission calculations at the technology level and supports target cost achievement through strong technical expertise, on site validations, and cost down workshops with suppliers and operations. This role drives continuous improvement by defining, governing, and implementing cost engineering (CE) processes, methods, and tools, while ensuring effective risk, compliance, and knowledge management. Additional responsibilities include leading expert teams, delivering trainings (e.g., Design to Cost, moderation, negotiation), evaluating and implementing new costing tools, serving as a CE systems and tools administrator, and ensuring accurate master data management.

What you can look forward to as Cost Engineer – ADAS and Electronics (m/f/d):

• Develop detailed cost models for electronic products, printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs), electronic components, and electromechanical assemblies.
• Generate cost estimates for new products during quotation, design, and production phases
• Perform Best Cost analyses to validate supplier quotations and support negotiations
• Benchmark supplier costs and market pricing of electronic components
• Contribute to target achievement through should‑cost modeling and early cost‑lever identification
• Develop, implement, and govern Cost Engineering processes, methods, and standards
• Drive Design‑to‑Cost and CIP initiatives across product lifecycle phases
• Evaluate, implement, and improve cost engineering tools and systems, including user trainings
• Support and lead expert teams, trainings, and cross‑functional initiatives

Your Profile as Cost Engineer – ADAS and Electronics (m/f/d):

• Bachelor’s degree in Electronics, or a related technical discipline
• 5–6 years of professional experience in manufacturing engineering, R&D, procurement, cost engineering, or process optimization in electronics industry (e.g. electronics components, modules, products, PCB)
• Experience with electronic products, PCB assemblies, and component manufacturing preferred
• Experience in automotive, industrial electronics, consumer electronics, aerospace, or telecommunications industries preferred
• Knowledge of product lifecycle costing, value engineering, and Design‑to‑Cost methods
• Analytical, structured, and innovative mindset with strong problem‑solving skills
• Confident communicator with the ability to collaborate in global, cross‑functional teams
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now AND in the future

What We Offer:

• A supportive collaborative team environment
• Annual Incentive Plan
• Paid Vacation
• Personal Time
• 401k Plan
• Health Care Benefits
• Paid Holidays
• Supportive Employee Groups and community outreach activities

ZF does not offer visa sponsorship for this role (e.g., H-1B, TN), and candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. without requiring sponsorship by ZF now or in the future. This role also does not include any immigration-related support, including—but not limited to—being listed on government forms, providing documentation for work authorization, coordinating with universities, or participating in training plans or other procedures related to visa status (e.g., H-1B, TN, F-1 OPT/CPT, J-1, O-1, L-1, E-3, and any other status requiring employer sponsorship or immigration-related support). IF YOU REQUIRE ANY FORM OF VISA SPONSORSHIP OR ANY IMMIGRATION SUPPORT NOW OR IN THE FUTURE, PLEASE DO NOT APPLY.