Manufacturing Cost Engineer with Automotive Expertise

Howmet Aerospace; La Porte (IN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Howmet Aerospace, located in Laporte, IN, seeks a Manufacturing Engineer – Cost Specialist to own cost models for major components and optimize production processes. The role emphasizes cost‑driven decision making, workflow optimization, and continuous improvement across a high‑volume manufacturing environment.

The successful candidate will leverage automotive experience to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and strengthen manufacturing performance while collaborating with cross‑functional teams

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience, preferably in automotive or other high‑volume production.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing cost structures and component cost modeling.
• Experience with process improvement, workflow optimization, and structured problem‑solving.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and understand manufacturing requirements.
• Strong communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• This position entails access to export‑controlled items and employment offers are conditioned upon an applicant's ability to lawfully obtain access to such items.

Responsibilities

• Build complete manufacturing cost models for components, including labor, materials, equipment, tooling, overhead, and process flow.
• Analyze cost drivers and identify opportunities for reduction through process changes, tooling improvements, workflow adjustments, or sourcing strategies.
• Support leadership with clear, data‑based cost insights to guide investment decisions and operational priorities.
• Partner with cross‑functional teams to validate cost assumptions and ensure alignment with production realities.
• Evaluate current manufacturing processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, throughput, and consistency.
• Apply automotive‑grade problem‑solving and continuous improvement methods to reduce waste and strengthen process reliability.
• Lead improvement projects focused on safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Support the development of standard work, process documentation, and training materials.
• Provide hands‑on engineering support to resolve production issues and maintain stable operations.
• Collaborate with operations, quality, maintenance, and supply chain to ensure smooth workflow and timely issue resolution.
• Monitor key performance indicators and help teams understand daily progress toward goals.
• Support tooling and equipment improvements that enhance quality, reduce cost, or simplify production.
• Participate in equipment evaluations, vendor discussions, and implementation of new technologies.
• Assist with capital project justification through cost modeling and operational impact analysis.
• Translate automotive best practices into new manufacturing environments.
• Bring fresh perspective to process discipline, cost control, and high‑volume production methodologies.
• Help build stronger systems, documentation, and workflows by applying proven automotive approaches.

Skills

Cost modeling

Process improvement

Workflow optimization

Structured problem-solving

Engineering drawings interpretation

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field

Job description

Howmet Aerospace, located in Laporte, IN, seeks a Manufacturing Engineer – Cost Specialist to own cost models for major components and optimize production processes. The role emphasizes cost‑driven decision making, workflow optimization, and continuous improvement across a high‑volume manufacturing environment.

The successful candidate will leverage automotive experience to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and strengthen manufacturing performance while collaborating with cross‑functional teams