Manufacturing Engineer

Role Definition

Provides analytical support and strategic guidance on manufacturing cost structures, process efficiencies, and supplier capabilities. Ensures cost models reflect accurate production methods, quality standards, safety compliance, and environmental considerations to support sourcing, design, and operational decisions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain detailed should-cost models for components, assemblies, and manufacturing processes using industry benchmarks and supplier data.
• Collaborate with engineering, procurement, and operations teams to assess the cost impact of equipment, tooling, and process modifications.
• Evaluate supplier manufacturing capabilities and cost structures through data analysis, site visits, and technical reviews.
• Identify cost drivers and inefficiencies in manufacturing processes; recommend cost-optimized alternatives.
• Support new product development by providing early cost estimates and influencing design decisions for cost-effectiveness.
• Ensure cost models incorporate relevant safety, quality, and environmental compliance factors.
• Document and standardize cost modeling methodologies, assumptions, and best practices.
• Monitor industry trends, material pricing, and manufacturing technologies to keep cost models current and competitive.
• Provide training and guidance to internal stakeholders on interpreting and applying should-cost data.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.
• 5-8+ years of experience in cost engineering, manufacturing engineering, or a related role in a heavy manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes such as machining, casting, forging, heavy fabrication, and assembly.
• Proficiency in cost modeling tools, spreadsheets, and data analysis software.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles, quality standards, and regulatory compliance (e.g., OSHA, ISO).
• Excellent analytical, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with should-costing software (e.g., aPriori, Siemens Teamcenter Product Cost Management, Costimator).
• Knowledge of global supply chain dynamics and supplier cost structures.
• Exposure to product lifecycle management (PLM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.

Skill Descriptors

Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.

Level Extensive Experience:

• Distinguishes key cost drivers, assumptions, and stakeholder inputs to ensure accurate modeling.
• Leverages past project data to refine estimation and decision-making processes.
• Validates cost scenarios and forecasts potential impacts of decisions.
• Guides teams in analyzing data and evaluating cost-effective alternatives.
• Applies appropriate decision-making styles based on context and complexity.
• Challenges outdated assumptions with current data and objective analysis.

Judgment and Decision Making: Knowledge of the decision-making process; ability to carefully evaluate the impact of emerging business situations and choose the best path forward communicating actions and activities that maximize organizational performance.

Level Working Knowledge:

• Identifies critical cost drivers in complex manufacturing processes, distinguishing between impactful data and background variability to support accurate cost modeling.
• Prioritizes should-cost analysis tasks based on production schedules, supplier negotiations, and engineering change impacts, ensuring alignment with operational and financial objectives.
• Demonstrates sound judgment in defending cost estimates and assumptions, especially when facing conflicting inputs from procurement, engineering, or suppliers.
• Translates technical and financial data into timely, actionable recommendations that support sourcing strategies, make-or-buy decisions, and capital investment planning.
• Reassesses cost models when new production data, supplier quotes, or design changes emerge—balancing responsiveness with the need for stability in decision-making.

Lean Manufacturing: Knowledge of the philosophy, principles and implementation approaches of lean manufacturing; ability to integrate and implement lean manufacturing philosophy into existing production and management processes.

Level Working Knowledge:

• Understands core lean manufacturing principles (e.g., waste elimination, flow efficiency, continuous improvement) and their implications for cost modeling and supplier evaluation.

• Analyzes work cell layouts, material flow, and takt time to identify inefficiencies and quantify cost-saving opportunities in production processes.
• Supports lean transformation initiatives by identifying cost impacts of technical bottlenecks and workforce-related challenges, offering data-driven insights to guide resolution.
• Applies lean tools such as value stream mapping, root cause analysis, and standard work evaluation to assess supplier operations and internal manufacturing processes.
• Interprets lean performance metrics (e.g., OEE, lead time, inventory turns) and benchmarks to inform should-cost estimates and support sourcing and design decisions.
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams to align cost models with lean objectives, ensuring that cost estimates reflect realistic, optimized production scenarios.

Manufacturing Equipment: Knowledge of the electrical, mechanical and logistics equipment used in manufacturing; ability to safely operate, maintain, update and store them.

Level Working Knowledge:

• Understands the function, cost implications, and operational parameters of key manufacturing equipment (e.g., CNC machines, presses, welding systems, conveyors).

• Evaluates equipment capabilities, utilization rates, and maintenance needs to inform accurate should-cost estimates.
• Supports cost modeling by incorporating factors such as machine depreciation, energy consumption, tooling life, and cycle times.
• Participates in equipment assessments during supplier visits or audits, identifying inefficiencies or overcapacity that affect cost structures.
• Interprets diagnostic data and standard performance metrics to assess equipment-related cost drivers and recommend process improvements.

Manufacturing Processes: Knowledge of existing product manufacturing methods, technologies and processes; ability to execute, plan, manage and monitor the entire manufacturing process.

Level Extensive Experience:

• Advises cross-functional teams on manufacturing process selection using deep industry knowledge, cost benchmarks, and process-performance trade-offs.

• Develops and maintains best-practice cost modeling templates that reflect real-world manufacturing methods, including machining, casting, forging, welding, and assembly.
• Trains peers and stakeholders on how manufacturing processes influence cost structures, cycle times, and capital investment.
• Actively participates in evaluating and monitoring new manufacturing technologies (e.g., additive manufacturing, automation) for cost and feasibility impacts.
• Selects and optimizes process assumptions in cost models based on product design, material, volume, and supplier capabilities.
• Assesses alternative manufacturing routes by comparing cost, quality, lead time, and scalability to support sourcing and design decisions.

Manufacturing Safety: Knowledge of manufacturing safety; ability to identify work-related hazards and perform necessary activities to meet regulatory requirements for the safety and protection of workers, environment and site.

Level Extensive Experience:

• Consults on the use of new tools and techniques for safety protection.
• Performs safety inspections to assure compliance with OSHA requirements.
• Designs and implements emergency response processes and procedures.
• Promotes workplace safety among supervisors and workers; communicates safety rules and regulations.
• Assesses and reports unusual or new safety hazards or violations; initiates corrective action.
• Ensures that all employees and contractors comply with relevant safety policies and regulations.

Manufacturing Standards, Procedures and Policies: Knowledge of organizational standards, procedures and policies in manufacturing activities; ability to plan, guide, and monitor manufacturing processes for compliance.

Level Extensive Experience:

• Advises on the integration of manufacturing standards into cost models to ensure compliance and consistency.

• Establishes controls to monitor adherence to manufacturing and sourcing standards in cost analysis.
• Collaborates with engineering, procurement, and quality teams to align cost models with organizational and industry standards.
• Ensures cost modeling practices reflect current policies and are effectively communicated across functions.