Value Engineering & Cost Reduction Engineer
On-siteFountain Inn, South Carolina, United States
Job Summary
Develop and maintain should-cost models for products, subassemblies, and commodity categories to establish BOM cost targets and track performance through NPI gate reviews. Analyze product cost structures using Pareto analysis to identify highest-cost functions and drive targeted reduction initiatives while partnering with supply chain on supplier negotiations. Participate in design reviews to reduce part count, simplify assembly, and improve yield, engaging contract manufacturers to resolve DFM issues early. Plan and facilitate Value Analysis workshops to translate outputs into prioritized action registers, ensuring all initiatives maintain product reliability, quality, and regulatory compliance. Lead or support Engineering Change Order processes for VE-driven design changes, executing validation testing for component and design modifications.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
- 5+ years of experience in hardware product development, manufacturing, or cost engineering
- Demonstrated success leading design-to-cost, value engineering, and cost-reduction initiatives for hardware products
- Experience with power electronics, energy systems, industrial equipment, utility-scale products, or similar hardware platforms
- Experience working in a fast-paced, high-volume manufacturing environment
- Strong understanding of component costing, product cost structures, and manufacturing processes
- Proficiency with BOM structures, BOM management tools, and ERP/PLM systems (SAP, Oracle, Arena, or equivalent)
- Familiarity with component lifecycle management and alternate sourcing processes
- Ability to work cross-functionally and influence design decisions
- Strong analytical and quantitative skills; comfortable building and using cost models in Excel or similar tools
Desired Qualifications
- Experience establishing VA/VE functions or cost engineering processes from the ground up
- Knowledge of commodity cost drivers for electronics, magnetics, sheet metal, plastics, and custom electromechanical assemblies
- Experience working with contract manufacturers (CMs/EMS) and custom supply chain partners (magnetics, busbars, custom enclosures)
- Knowledge of PCB design, magnetics, power semiconductors, or thermal/mechanical design
- Competent with Python scripting, data analysis, reporting, and dashboard tools
- Familiarity with should-cost modeling and product cost management tools (aPriori, Costimator, SEER, or similar), and component intelligence platforms (SiliconExpert, Octopart)
- Background in or exposure to Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies
- Experience using engineering simulation tools such as LTspice, PLECS, ANSYS, or equivalent is a plus
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