Should Costing Engineer

Katalyst CRO; Foster City (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Katalyst CRO in Foster City, CA seeks a cost engineer to guide design teams toward function at minimum cost and to apply DFA/DFM and VA/VE methods throughout development.

You will develop cost targets for mechanical and electrical parts, provide should-cost analyses for procurement, and present updates to senior management. A strong background in manufacturing processes and Creo is required, with 7–10 years in cost-focused engineering.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, manufacturing, industrial, or electrical engineering.
• 7–10 years of industry experience.
• Proficient with costing tools (BDI, A-priori) and related software.
• Ability to read and interpret manufacturing drawings.
• Working knowledge of BOM development and application.
• Familiarity with VA/VE techniques and financial analysis.
• Experience with 3D CAD software (Creo preferred).
• Knowledge of casting, stamping, injection molding, extrusion, and PCBA.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance to Designers/Design Engineers for cost-efficient designs.
• Apply DFA/DFM to analyze designs and propose improvements.
• Collaborate on Design to Target in early product planning.
• Develop cost targets for mechanical parts (castings, stampings, extrusions, molding).
• Develop cost targets for electrical parts (harness, PCB, DC motors, batteries).
• Provide should-cost analyses to procurement for supplier negotiation.
• Conduct benchmarking/teardown analysis and build should-cost models.
• Participate in VA/VE activities and generate cost reduction ideas.
• Present cost updates with risks and opportunities to upper management.
• Maintain cost information and monthly cost reports for the organization.

Skills

Cost analysis

Reading drawings

Lean Six Sigma

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

BDI/VA/VE costing software

Creo CAD

Job description

• Provide guidance to Designers/Design Engineers for proposed new or modified designs to achieve required function at minimum cost.
• Apply Design for Assembly (DFA) and Design for Manufacturing (DFM) tools to analyze proposed new designs and propose potential improvements.
• Work with engineering on a Design to Target approach in early product development planning.
• Develop cost targets for mechanical engine parts (Castings, Stamped Parts, Extrusions, and Injection Moulded) based on information ranging from sample parts, CAD models, and engineering drawings.
• Develop cost targets for electrical engine parts (Harness, PCB, PCB Assemblies, DC Motors, Batteries) based on information ranging from schematics, CAD models, and engineering drawings.
• Provide should-cost analysis reports to the procurement team for supplier negotiation purposes.
• Conduct competitive benchmarking/teardown analysis and develop should-cost models.
• Participate in Value Analysis (VA) and Value Engineering (VE) activities and generate cost reduction ideas on current production products.
• Present project cost updates along with risks and opportunities to higher management monthly.
• Be a resource of cost information on assigned projects for the entire organization, including upper management, marketing, sales, engineering, financial, and manufacturing.
• Provide the organization with monthly cost reports and cost tracking of current products.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Provide guidance to Designers/Design Engineers for proposed new or modified designs to achieve required function at minimum cost.
• Apply Design for Assembly (DFA) and Design for Manufacturing (DFM) tools to analyze proposed new designs and propose potential improvements.
• Work with engineering on a Design to Target approach in early product development planning.
• Develop cost targets for mechanical engine parts (Castings, Stamped Parts, Extrusions, and Injection Moulded) based on information ranging from sample parts, CAD models, and engineering drawings.
• Develop cost targets for electrical engine parts (Harness, PCB, PCB Assemblies, DC Motors, Batteries) based on information ranging from schematics, CAD models, and engineering drawings.
• Provide should-cost analysis reports to the procurement team for supplier negotiation purposes.
• Conduct competitive benchmarking/teardown analysis and develop should-cost models.
• Participate in Value Analysis (VA) and Value Engineering (VE) activities and generate cost reduction ideas on current production products.
• Present project cost updates along with risks and opportunities to higher management monthly.
• Be a resource of cost information on assigned projects for the entire organization, including upper management, marketing, sales, engineering, financial, and manufacturing.
• Provide the organization with monthly cost reports and cost tracking of current products.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, or Electrical Engineering.
• 7-10 years of industry experience.
• Proficient in BDI (Boothroyd Dewhurst Inc.), A-priori, or related costing software.
• Ability to read and understand manufacturing drawings.
• Working knowledge of a Bill of Material (BOM), its development, and application.
• Practical knowledge of VA/VE techniques and strong financial awareness.
• Functional understanding of 3D CAD software (Creo Preferred).
• In-depth knowledge of manufacturing processes including Casting, Stamping, Injection Moulding, Extrusion, and PCBA, and compatible materials.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt preferred.