Cost Engineer (Casting and Stamping)

Job Title: Cost Engineer (Die Casting & Stamping)

Industry: Automotive

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3 to 5 years)

Employment Type: Full-Time

Location: Mexico (Remote)

Position Summary:

We are seeking a detail-oriented and technically skilled Cost Engineer with 3 to 5 years of experience in the automotive sector, specializing in Die Casting and Metal Stamping processes.

In this role, you will be responsible for developing accurate component and tooling cost estimations, performing bottom-up "Should-Cost" analyses, and identifying cost-reduction opportunities throughout the product lifecycle. You will work closely with Engineering, Purchasing, and Suppliers to evaluate manufacturing feasibility and optimize product costs without compromising quality or performance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Cost Estimation & Modeling: Develop detailed bottom-up cost models ("Should-Cost") for automotive components manufactured via high-pressure die casting, gravity die casting, and sheet metal stamping (progressive, transfer, and tandem dies).
• Tooling Cost Analysis: Estimate and analyze tooling costs, die modifications, maintenance, and fixture expenses for die casting molds and stamping dies.
• Technical Evaluation: Interpret 3D CAD files, 2D engineering drawings, material specifications, and BOMs to determine required manufacturing processes, cycle times, tonnage, machine hourly rates, and material scrap rates.
• Supplier & Purchasing Support: Support global purchasing teams in supplier negotiations by providing detailed technical cost breakdowns (CBD) and benchmark analysis.
• Design to Cost (DtC) / VAVE: Collaborate with Product Engineering teams to perform Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VA/VE) and Design-to-Cost (DtC) workshops to identify design optimizations that reduce manufacturing costs.
• Market Benchmarking: Monitor raw material trends (aluminum, zinc, steel, specialized alloys), energy rates, labor rates, and manufacturing technologies across key automotive regions.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience: 3 to 5 years of hands-on experience in cost engineering, cost estimating, or process engineering within the automotive industry (OEM or Tier 1 supplier).
• Process Knowledge: Deep technical expertise in:
• Die Casting: High-Pressure Die Casting (HPDC), gating design, trimming, shot weight, cycle time estimation, and secondary operations (machining, heat treatment, surface finishing).
• Stamping: Sheet metal forming, blanking, progressive/transfer press lines, tonnage calculation, strip layout optimization, and material utilization.
• Software Skills: Proficiency in MS Excel (advanced modeling), CAD software (CATIA V5, Siemens NX, or SolidWorks), and specialized costing tools (e.g., Siemens PCM, Teamcenter Product Cost Management, Cleversys, or similar) is a strong plus.
• Analytical Skills: Strong mathematical and financial analytical capability to break down complex manufacturing operations into time, material, labor, and overhead components.
• Languages: Professional fluency in English (written and spoken) is required.

What We Offer:

• Opportunities for career growth within an international engineering consulting group.
• Exposure to cutting-edge projects with leading OEM and Tier 1 automotive brands.
• Dynamic, multi-disciplinary work environment.