Job Description

Job Title: Seating Cost Engineer

Location: Detroit Area, MI (Hybrid)

About the job you?re considering:

We are seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Seating Cost Engineer to support OEM programs across various commodities including Steel Stamping, Steel Welding, Plastic Injection, Foam Manufacturing, and Seating Trim (PVC, PU, Leather).
The role focuses on cost estimation, analysis, and optimization for seating systems while ensuring collaboration with global cost engineering teams to drive alignment and share best practices.

Your Role:

1. Cost Calculation & Forecasting

• Develop and validate detailed cost models for seating components across manufacturing processes.

• Perform target setting, design cost estimation, and program elongation analysis.

• Evaluate design changes and their impact on cost and manufacturability.

• Analyze supplier quotes and manufacturing data to ensure accuracy and competitiveness.

2. Cost Optimization & Partner Support

• Identify and execute cost reduction opportunities through sourcing and technical collaboration.

• Support negotiation, claims analysis (inflation, price, volume), and transformation initiatives.

• Conduct teardown studies and competitor analysis to establish benchmark cost baselines.

• Coordinate globally to align cost assumptions and share economic insights.

3. Knowledge Reinforcement & Continuous Improvement

• Support global data collection, cost driver analysis, and ECO updates.

• Lead or contribute to cost improvement projects and time reduction initiatives.

• Promote technical-economic skill development within the cost engineering community.

Key Metrics / KPIs

• Achievement of Target vs. Completion Cost

• Cost Reduction Opportunities ($M)

• Gap-to-Cost (%)

Your skills and experience

• Bachelor?s degree in mechanical engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field.

• 5 to 10 years of experience in automotive seating engineering or cost estimation

• Experience with cost engineering software (e.g., aPriori, Costimator).

• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and materials in seating systems.

• Proficiency in cost modeling tools and techniques.

• Excellent analytical, communication, and presentation skills using Microsoft tools.

• Experience working with OEMs and cross-functional teams.

• Familiarity with global supplier base and cost structures.

• Knowledge of CAD tools and engineering drawings.