Job at a glance
Job Title: Cost Reduction Engineer Job Description The Cost Reduction Engineer identifies, leads, and implements engineering-driven cost reduction initiatives across existing products while maintaining quality and performance. This role performs value engineering and should-cost analysis, partners closely with cross-functional teams, and drives approved projects from concept through implementation to improve gross margin and overall profitability.
The position offers the opportunity to build and shape a new value engineering function with high visibility and significant influence on product design and manufacturing strategy. Responsibilities Identify and execute engineering-driven cost reduction initiatives across existing products while maintaining quality, performance, and reliability. Perform value engineering and should-cost analysis to uncover cost savings opportunities in materials, components, assemblies, and manufacturing processes.
Evaluate materials, components, assemblies, and manufacturing methods to recommend cost-effective alternatives and process improvements. Partner closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Procurement teams to develop and validate cost optimization strategies. Develop clear, data-driven recommendations for product cost optimization that support both technical requirements and business objectives.
Drive approved cost reduction projects through the full implementation lifecycle, from concept and analysis through validation and release. Support cost modeling and value engineering activities across multiple product lines to ensure consistent, scalable cost reduction practices. Track, quantify, and communicate savings opportunities and project results to stakeholders and leadership. Improve gross margin through engineering improvements, design enhancements, and design-to-cost methodologies.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles into product designs. Contribute to the creation and maturation of a new value engineering function, including processes, tools, and best practices. Partner with executive leadership and key stakeholders to align cost reduction initiatives with broader product and manufacturing strategies.
Essential Skills Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering. 5+ years of engineering experience within a manufacturing environment. Direct experience in Value Engineering, Cost Engineering, Product Costing, Design-to-Cost, or Cost Reduction activities. Demonstrated success leading and delivering measurable cost reduction initiatives. Manufacturing industry experience with proven cost savings initiatives and cost analysis.
Strong understanding of design for manufacturing (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) principles. Experience with cost analysis, cost modeling, and should-cost methodologies. Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make sound engineering and business recommendations. Effective cross-functional communication skills with the ability to collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and procurement teams.
Additional Skills & Qualifications Experience in automotive or aerospace manufacturing environments. Hands-on experience with design for manufacturing and design for assembly methods. ERP/MRP system experience. Background in value engineering, cost engineering, or design-to-cost in a multi-product environment. Ability to influence product design and manufacturing strategy through data-driven insights.
Comfort working in a fast-growing organization transitioning toward a more mature manufacturing operation. Strong project leadership skills, including the ability to drive cross-functional initiatives to completion. Work Environment This position is 100% onsite in Poway, CA, within a collaborative engineering and manufacturing environment. You will work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Procurement, and