Mechanical Engineer - Cost Optimization

MSA - The Safety Company; Cranberry Township (Butler County); On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

MSA Safety is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to join the Value Engineering & Cost Optimization team in Cranberry Township. You will drive design‑to‑cost initiatives, lead cost‑reduction projects, and collaborate across Engineering, Product Management, Manufacturing, and Sourcing to deliver measurable savings without compromising safety or performance.

You will apply CAD/FEA methods, develop drawings and BOMs, and coordinate prototypes through validation and implementation, contributing to product

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering is required.
• Hands-on mechanical product design and development using 3D CAD, SolidWorks preferred.
• Experience with plastics, materials, manufacturing processes, mechanical components, or electro‑mechanical systems.
• Working knowledge of FEA, tolerance analysis, and validation methods.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, communication, business, and project‑management skills.
• Ability to collaborate across functions and drive implementation.

Responsibilities

• Support and participate in VA/VE workshops, product teardowns, benchmarking, and design‑to‑cost activities.
• Identify opportunities through part consolidation, modularity, material alternatives, specification optimization, and process improvements.
• Create and evaluate concepts using CAD, FEA, fatigue analysis, tolerance analysis, prototyping, and testing.
• Apply DFM, DFA, DFS, and other DFX methods.
• Develop drawings, specifications, BOM updates, analyses, test plans, and engineering change documentation.
• Coordinate prototype builds, testing, release, and implementation.
• Lead or support multiple cross‑functional cost optimization projects and communicate results.
• Document technical outcomes and validated savings.

Skills

3D CAD

Tolerance analysis

FEA

Validation methods

Analytical skills

Cross-functional teamwork

Problem solving

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Are you someone who is passionate, motivated, and driven to make a difference? If so, MSA Safety is the perfect fit for your career.

Are you someone who is passionate, motivated, and driven to make a difference? If so, MSA Safety is the perfect fit for your career. At MSA, SAFETY is who we are AND it is what we do. We are a purpose-driven company committed to deploying innovation and technology to deliver on our Mission to help protect people and assets all around the world. We continue to be relentless in our pursuit of solving our customers greatest problems so they can go home safe each and every day. At MSA, SAFETY is who we are AND it is what we do. Are you in? Read on for more details about this particular role.

Make an Impact Across the Business

Are you a Mechanical Engineer who enjoys solving complex product challenges and seeing your ideas implemented? Join the global Value Engineering & Cost Optimization team and help improve products used around the world. In this highly visible role, you will combine mechanical design expertise, value engineering, and cross-functional execution to reduce product cost, strengthen competitiveness, and deliver measurable business results without compromising safety, quality, performance, or customer value.

Why This Role Is Different

• Directly influence product profitability and competitiveness.
• Drive high-impact redesign and value engineering initiatives from idea through implementation.
• Work across product lines, materials, manufacturing processes, and global operations.
• Partner with Engineering, Product Management, Manufacturing, Sourcing, Quality, suppliers, and leadership.
• See your engineering decisions tracked through validated, measurable cost savings.
• Build broad business acumen while remaining deeply engaged in technical work.

Responsibilities

What You'll Do

• Support and participate in VA/VE workshops, product teardowns, benchmarking, and design-to-cost activities.
• Identify opportunities through part consolidation, modularity, material alternatives, specification optimization, and process improvements.
• Create and evaluate concepts using CAD, FEA, fatigue analysis, tolerance analysis, prototyping, and testing.
• Apply DFM, DFA, DFS, and other DFX methods.
• Develop drawings, specifications, BOM updates, analyses, test plans, and engineering change documentation.
• Coordinate prototype builds, testing, release, and implementation.
• Lead or support multiple cross-functional cost optimization projects and communicate results.
• Document technical outcomes and validated savings.

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Hands‑on mechanical product design and development experience using 3D CAD, preferably SolidWorks.
• Experience with plastics, materials, manufacturing processes, mechanical components, or electro‑mechanical systems.
• Working knowledge of FEA, tolerance analysis, and validation methods.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, communication, business, and project-management skills.
• Ability to collaborate across functions and drive work through implementation.

Preferred Experience

• Value engineering, cost optimization, design-to-cost, benchmarking, or should‑cost analysis.
• Lean Six Sigma certification or practical continuous improvement experience.
• SAP or similar ERP/MRP experience and BOM/document‑control knowledge.
• Regulated or safety‑critical product development and experience with UL, CSA, or related agencies.

Career levels

This position is available at one career level based upon experience, education, etc.

• Level II - 2 years of relevant experience.
• Level III - 3 years of relevant experience.
• Senior - 5 years of relevant experience.

• Principal I - 7 years of relevant experience.
• MS degree may be substituted for up to 2 years of relevant experience.

Who Will Thrive Here?

• Engineers who want to influence business decisions, not only create designs.
• People who enjoy questioning assumptions and solving technical and cost challenges.
• Hands‑on owners who move ideas from concept to validated implementation.
• Collaborators who communicate clearly across technical, manufacturing, sourcing, and leadership teams.
• Professionals motivated by measurable results and visible impact.

If you’re looking for a role where your engineering expertise directly contributes to company growth, product competitiveness, and millions of dollars in business value, this is the opportunity for you!

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