Cost Engineer - Thermal Systems

Stellantis NV; Auburn (AL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Stellantis NV in Auburn, Alabama, seeks a Cost Engineer to develop direct material costs and tooling investments for Thermal Systems using activity-based costing. The role provides subject matter expertise to support engineering and purchasing through all development phases.

The CE must be curious, persistent, and innovative, able to analyze supplier quotes and reach agreement on appropriate piece and tooling costs. Strong cost analytics and collaboration across teams are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or related field.
• Minimum of 2 years in the field (production, quality, cost estimation, process expertise).
• English speaking advanced or fluent.

Responsibilities

• Provide Engineering with support during vehicle development phase for target achievement (Design to Cost).
• Release cost engineering estimate by reference or through bottom-up analysis during development phase up to contract milestones.
• SHOULD COST CALCULATION through bottom-up approach for new & modified purchased components (variable & supplier tooling) to support Project Team business cases.
• Provide purchasing support during supplier negotiations through gap analysis of supplier’s price breakdown detail.
• Evaluate engineering changes to establish technical cost for the change and identify the cost drivers for variable and supplier tooling.
• Collaborate component cost drivers with suppliers for variable cost & tooling.
• Periodic Supplier visits to maintain & improve internal know-how of manufacturing processes & best practice.
• Identify opportunities from benchmarking, innovation technologies, best countries.

Skills

Cost estimation

Analytical thinking

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or related field

Job description

The Cost Engineer develops direct material costs and tooling investments for “Thermal Systems” components using activity-based costing methodology while working from bill of materials, drawings and/orsamples. Providing subject matter expertise to support engineering and purchasing at working and executive levels through all development phases. The CE must be curious, persistent, and innovative, and able to analyze supplier quotes and reach agreement on appropriate piece and toolingcosts.

Design To Cost

• Provide Engineering with support during the vehicle development phase for target achievement (Design to Cost)
• Release cost engineering estimate by reference or through bottom-up analysis during development phase up to contract milestones

Sourcing

• SHOULD COST CALCULATION through bottom-up approach for new & modified purchased components (variable & supplier tooling) to support Project Team business cases (Initiatives, Product Actions, Feasibility studies and others)
• Provide purchasing support during supplier negotiations through gap analysis of supplier’s price breakdown detail

Serial Life

• Evaluate engineering changes to establish technical cost for the change and identify the cost drivers for variable and supplier tooling
• Collaborate component technical solution cost drivers with suppliers for variable cost & tooling

Commodity Champion

• Periodic Supplier visits to maintain & improve internal know-how of manufacturing processes & best practice
• Identify potential cost optimization opportunities and support company technical cost reduction activities
• Provide global component cost comparison analysis by working with the Project Cost Engineering community
• Develop the cost structure for component standardization plans
• Identify opportunities from benchmarking, innovation technologies, best countries.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or related field
• A minimum of 2 years in the field (production, quality, cost estimation, process expertise)
• English speaking advanced or fluent

The candidate should have exposure to engineering or manufacturing processes related to automotive thermal systems, with a solid understanding of how products are designed, manufactured, assembled, and validated across different technologies.

Experience is expected in some (not necessarily all) of the product families and processes listed below, with the ability to understand process flows, cost drivers, technical constraints, and manufacturing logic.

Thermal System Products

Experience with one or more of the following product families and their related manufacturing processes is highly valued:

Cooling Systems

• Cooling hoses
• Heat Exchangers
• Radiators
• Condensers
• ATOCs
• Pumps
• Thermal Management Systems
• Water valves
• Cooling plates

HVAC Systems

• Air conditioning systems
• HVAC modules front or rear
• Blowers
• Compressors
• Heat pump systems
• Manifolds
• Valves;
• Sensors,
• Electronic and mechanical expansion valves
• AC lines

Overall Expectation:

The candidate is not expected to be an expert in all listed products or processes, but should demonstrate:

• Solid understanding of key manufacturing processes behind thermal system components
• Ability to connect product design, manufacturing sequence, and industrial constraints.
• Technical curiosity and capability to work across multi-technology systems.