Cost Design Release Engineer (Exterior Body/Cost Engineer)

Job Description

Job Description

The Cost Engineer role develops detailed cost estimates for components and tooling using an activity‐based costing approach. This role works directly with bills of material, drawings, and physical samples to understand how parts are made and to estimate the associated component, manufacturing, and investment costs.

In this position, you will use established methods and processes to analyze costs, provide guidance to internal teams, and support cost convergence activities. You will collaborate with global engineering, purchasing, finance, and supplier teams to ensure competitive and transparent cost structures from early concept through serial production.

Full‐time on‐site at CTC (Auburn Hills), standard day shift, willingness for limited travel (approx. 5–10%).

Key Deliverables:

• Develop component cost estimates for new programs, including:

o Early‐phase cost engineering estimates

o Detailed “should‐cost” calculations using a bottom‐up manufacturing approach

• Provide idea generation and cost support during vehicle development to help achieve cost targets (Design‐to‐Cost)
• Support purchasing during supplier negotiations by completing gap analyses of supplier cost breakdowns (Piece Price, ED&D, Tooling)
• Contribute to benchmarking and value optimization activities, including serial life should‐cost assessments
• Collaborate closely with internal global team, Engineering, Buyers, and Suppliers
• Provide global cost comparison analysis in partnership with the broader Cost Engineering community

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, or a related technical field
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the automotive industry or related technical field
• Strong English verbal and written skills to support role job key deliverables
• Ability to manage a high volume of parts and varying levels of complexity
• Proficiency with Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, and Word
• Ability to work effectively across multiple levels of the organization, functions, and global regions
• EXTERIOR MANAGER Plastic, injection, painting, resin, Trims, manager
• EXTERIOR Plastic, injection, painting, resin, bumpers, fascias, Trims
• SEALING, GLAZING Glazing, Sealing, Washing, Wiping
• Lighting

All Cost Engineer roles – common must‐haves

5+ years of relevant experience (design, manufacturing, tooling, cost engineering, or deep process/commodity expertise; relevant internships may be considered).

Strong technical understanding of parts and how they are manufactured (materials, processes, assembly flow).

Experience in at least one high‐volume manufacturing environment; automotive strongly preferred.

Ability to work cross‐functionally with Engineering and Purchasing, and to interpret drawings, specifications, and BOMs.

Comfort learning and using standardized cost models, formulas, and tools (prior formal costing experience is a plus, not mandatory).*

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with cost model structures and activity‐based costing for component development
• Experience in within one or multiple areas: Design Responsible Engineering, Manufacturing, Component Tool development, or Component Purchasing

Company Description

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Farmington Hills, MI, Kyyba has a global presence delivering high-quality resources and top-notch recruiting services, enabling businesses to effectively respond to organizational changes and technological advances.

At Kyyba, the overall well-being of our employees and their families is important to us. We are proud of our work culture which embodies our core values; incorporating value, passion, excellence, empowerment, and happiness, creates a vibrant and productive atmosphere. We empower our employees with the resources, incentives, and flexibility that they need to support a healthy, balanced, and fulfilling career by providing many valuable benefits and a balanced compensation structure combined with career development.

Kyyba is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Kyyba does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other b

Company Description

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Farmington Hills, MI, Kyyba has a global presence delivering high-quality resources and top-notch recruiting services, enabling businesses to effectively respond to organizational changes and technological advances.\r\n\r\nAt Kyyba, the overall well-being of our employees and their families is important to us. We are proud of our work culture which embodies our core values; incorporating value, passion, excellence, empowerment, and happiness, creates a vibrant and productive atmosphere. We empower our employees with the resources, incentives, and flexibility that they need to support a healthy, balanced, and fulfilling career by providing many valuable benefits and a balanced compensation structure combined with career development.\r\n\r\nKyyba is an Equal Opportunity Employer.\r\n\r\nKyyba does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other b