Cost Engineer - Thermal Systems

Stellantis; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Stellantis is seeking a Cost Engineer to develop direct material costs and tooling investments for Thermal Systems using activity-based costing from BOMs, drawings, and samples. You will support engineering and purchasing across development phases and negotiate with suppliers to align on cost targets.

The role emphasizes cost optimization, design-to-cost releases, and collaboration with multi-technology teams to drive manufacturing efficiency and standardization.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Develop direct material costs and tooling investments using activity-based costing from BOMs, drawings, and samples.
• Provide cost engineering support during vehicle development and contract milestones (Design To Cost).
• Release cost estimates and perform bottom-up analysis during development phases.
• Conduct SHOULD COST CALCULATION for new or modified components to support business cases and supplier negotiations.
• Evaluate engineering changes to establish costs and identify drivers for variable costs and tooling.
• Collaborate with suppliers on cost drivers and develop cost structures for standardization and benchmarking.

Skills

Cost estimation

Activity-based costing

Sourcing support

Supplier negotiations

Cost reduction

Education

B.S. in Engineering

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.