Cost Engineer
Trojan Battery · United States
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Position Overview
The Cost Engineer applies advanced cost engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain expertise to drive structural cost reduction across Lead-Acid and Lithium-ion battery platforms. The position develops and deploys part-level should-cost models, commodity cost intelligence, and target cost frameworks across lead-acid active materials, Li-ion pack systems, and manufacturing processes.
This position partners closely with Product Development, Manufacturing, Quality, and Strategic Sourcing to enable Design-to-Cost (DTC) decisions early in the product lifecycle and to engage suppliers in transparent, fact-based cost discussions. Recognized as a subject matter expert, this role influences sourcing strategies, supplier negotiations, and new product programs across Trojan Battery and C&D Technologies.
Areas of Focus
The ideal candidate will possess: (1) extensive experience in cost engineering, cost estimation, and cost control within battery manufacturing, energy storage, automotive, or related industrial fields; (2) hands-on experience working with global suppliers of battery raw materials and components (e.g., lead, lithium compounds, nickel, cobalt, graphite, separators, plastics, sheet metal); (3) strong strategic and analytical skills, with the ability to identify key factors; (4) superior project management, collaboration, and communication abilities.
Responsibilities
Cost Engineering & Analysis
- Develop part-level and system-level should-cost models for Lead-Acid and Li-ion battery components
- Direct materials (Cabinet/Racks, Separators, Plastics, Lead Terminals, Chemicals, Li-ion battery packs, cathode/anode materials) and MRO
- Battery management systems (BMS), modules, and packs
- Build commodity-level cost intelligence covering raw materials, conversion costs, yield losses, scrap, and energy consumption.
- Create and maintain target cost frameworks aligned with product roadmaps, volume ramps, and margin objectives.
Design-to-Cost & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Product Engineering and Manufacturing to influence design decisions through Design-to-Cost (DTC) initiatives.
- Support value engineering and process optimization efforts focused on manufacturability, automation, yield improvement, and capital efficiency.
- Provide cost guidance during new product introduction (NPI), technology transitions, and platform refreshes.
Supplier Engagement & Negotiations
- Interface directly with commodity managers to develop mutually agreed-upon cost models to understand cost drivers for use in pricing negotiations and ongoing cost reduction activities.
- Act as a lead or key contributor in supplier negotiations related to cost, productivity, and long-term agreements
- Analyze supplier quotations and identify cost drivers (materials, labor, overheads, tooling, logistics, profit margins).
Process Improvement & Governance
- Implement Power BI dashboards to focus on spend management
- Review existing cost management processes and implement improvements to drive standardization, transparency, and repeatability.
- Contribute insights on contract performance, cost trends, and market dynamics to inform sourcing strategies and contract renewals.
Leadership & Knowledge Development
- Develop new cost tools, digital models, and virtual production simulations to improve cost visibility and decision-making
- Facilitate training on cost tools
- Manage and coordinate with external consultants supporting cost modeling or benchmarking efforts.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, finance, or related field
- 5-10 year track record of success in Cost Engineering
- Strong Excel and cost management system experience
- Experience and demonstrated skill in establishing criteria for cost management activities.
- Demonstrated skill in identifying, analyzing, and solving problems driven by data.
- Must have excellent communication and presentation skills to combine sound analytical cost engineering principles with the ability to summarize, reach appropriate conclusions, and present to management teams.
- Ability to travel as needed
- Proactive, results-oriented, and have strong attention to detail.
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