Should Costing Engineer

Katalyst-Healthcares-; Foster City (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Katalyst-Healthcare seeks a Cost Engineer to drive cost reductions across mechanical and electrical parts. You will generate should-cost analyses, support supplier negotiations, and guide design for cost throughout development.

Ideal candidates have 7–10 years of experience, strong knowledge of VA/VE and BOM, and proficiency with Creo and related costing tools. This role emphasizes cross-functional collaboration and data-driven cost tracking.

Qualifications

• 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 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.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance to Designers/Design Engineers for new or modified designs to meet function at minimum cost.
• Apply DFA and DFM tools to analyze proposed designs and propose improvements.
• Collaborate on Design to Target in early product development planning.
• Develop cost targets for mechanical parts (castings, stamped parts, extrusions, injection moulded).
• Develop cost targets for electrical parts (harness, PCB, PCB assemblies, DC motors, batteries).
• Provide should-cost analysis reports to procurement for supplier negotiation.
• Conduct competitive benchmarking/teardown analysis and develop should-cost models.
• Participate in VA/VE activities and generate cost reduction ideas on current products.
• Present project cost updates with risks and opportunities to management monthly.
• Be a resource of cost information for the organization across departments.
• Provide monthly cost reports and cost tracking of current products.

Skills

Cost analysis

DFM/ DFA

VA/VE

BOM management

3D CAD Creo

Should-cost analysis

Supplier negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, manufacturing, industrial, or electrical engineering

Tools

Creo CAD

BDI / Boothroyd Dewhurst

Job description

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.