Design Engineer - BIW Cost Planning

Goken America; Raymond (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Goken America invites an experienced Cost Planning Specialist to join our team in Ohio. The role focuses on supporting cost planning, VA/VE, and benchmarking across automotive platform development projects.

Key responsibilities include leading cross-functional cost activities with purchasing and design, analyzing supplier quotes and part specifications, and driving cost reduction initiatives. Travel to client sites is required.

Qualifications

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years in automotive systems development (BIW) are required.
• Experience with BIW body systems in automotive projects is essential.
• Proficient with 3-D modeling tools like CATIA V5/V6 is a plus.
• Experience in cost targets, VA/VE and benchmarking is desired.

Responsibilities

• Support cost planning for new platform development projects.
• Lead cost activities between purchasing and design to meet cost targets.
• Analyze supplier quotes and part design specs.
• Create and track cost reduction ideas (VA) and implementation.
• Update and track cost/investment; ensure model/commonality across trims.
• Generate cost and investment roll-up reports.
• Support engineering activities including 3-D modeling, layout review, and 2D drawing.
• Travel to client sites required.

Skills

Strong written and verbal communicatio

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Tools

CATIA V5/V6

MS Office

aPriori costing software

Job description

Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio (USA) with Engineering Centers in Pune, India and Yokohama, Japan, Goken is a global Engineering Services and Product Development company founded in 2004. We partner with OEMs and suppliers across the mobility space, as well as clients in non-mobility industries, to deliver innovative solutions and accelerate product development.

At Goken, we embrace our motto of “Time to Innovate” by pushing boundaries, cultivating entrepreneurial thinking, and empowering individuals who thrive on tackling challenges, embrace fresh ideas, and are driven to create solutions that shape the future. This mindset fuels our mission and empowers our teams to solve complex problems, deliver measurable value, and move our clients and industries forward.

Our Vision is to empower associates to drive innovation and lead meaningful change wherever it’s needed, ensuring we stay ahead of the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow. Our Mission is to build trust that fosters greatness in our people, excellence in our clients, and positive impact in the communities we serve.

Goken offers a competitive compensation structure and benefits that support professional growth and personal well-being. We also foster a culture built on high performance, collaboration, continuous improvement, and ongoing professional development.

Summary

This role will support Cost Planning, VA/VE, Bench marking activities.

Responsibilities

• Apply product development experience to support the customer Cost planning group with estimating the cost for new technology and cost down ideas for new platform development projects.
• Lead the cost activity for the systems and sub-systems assigned by collaborating between purchasing and design groups to ensure cost /investment targets are met. Schedule and conduct cost verification and evaluation meetings
• Able to analyze and understand supplier quotes and design specifications of the parts
• Create, maintain and track cost reduction ideas (VA) and ensure implementation.
• Continuous update and track cost and investment and analyze the changes. Ensure commonality between models/trims
• Generate cost and investment roll up reports
• Lead and support the engineering activities for large scale product development programs by investigating feasibility, performing design using 3-D modeling software, conduct layout review and 2D drawing creation as needed.
• Analyze and resolve complex problems with moderate to minimal guidance.
• Use best practices and knowledge of internal or external business issues to improve product and/or processes.
• Search new ways to increase overall efficiency, utilize up-to-date technology, and reduce design and parts costs.
• Travel to client sites required.

Qualifications

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years industry experience developing automotive systems – Body (BIW) systems is must
• Education with the following specialties preferred: Mechanical, Mechanical Technology, Aerospace, Automotive, Manufacturing.
• Experience managing both technical requirements and cost targets throughout the development.
• Experience using 3-D modeling software tools (CATIA V5 or V6) is good to have.
• Good understanding of DFM (Design for Manufacturing) / DFA (Desing for Assembly) for various parts and cost implications.
• Project management experience managing projects, schedules, budgets and deliverables.
• Experience in cost reduction (VA/VE) /benchmarking activities
• Tooling knowledge and experience in costing software like aPriori is a plus.
• The ability to work effectively in a cross functional group setting, including essential technical guidance to support Senior Management
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in MS office.

Goken is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and engaging workplace across all global locations. We value diversity and provide equal opportunities for career growth and professional development, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.