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Vehicle Cost Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

As the Cost Engineer your primary duties will include basic estimating tasks and the buyout of ... vehicle, operating equipment, operating machinery or power tools, repairing/maintaining the ...

WI · On-site

As the Cost Engineer your primary duties will include basic estimating tasks and the buyout of ... vehicle, operating equipment, operating machinery or power tools, repairing/maintaining the ...

Gleason products are used by customers in e-mobility, commercial vehicles, aerospace, agriculture ... Position Summary The Proposal Engineer - Pricing & Cost is responsible for developing technically ...

Product Cost Engineer III

Seattle, WA · On-site

$112K - $156K/yr

We're working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture ... We are seeking a highly experienced Aerospace Manufacturing Engineer to join our team. The ideal ...

This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous ... Role Summary The Manager, Cost Engineering, will play a pivotal role within the Rivian Cost ...

This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous ... Role Summary The Manager, Cost Engineering, will play a pivotal role within the Rivian Cost ...

This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous ... Role Summary The Manager, Cost Engineering, will play a pivotal role within the Rivian Cost ...

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Vehicle Cost Engineer information

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$5

$41

How much do vehicle cost engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for vehicle cost engineer in the United States is $41.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41.35 and $41.59 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a vehicle cost engineer do?

A Vehicle Cost Engineer is responsible for analyzing and estimating the costs involved in designing, manufacturing, and assembling vehicles. They work closely with engineering, manufacturing, procurement, and finance teams to ensure that vehicles are produced within budget while meeting quality and performance standards. Their duties include evaluating material costs, labor expenses, and supplier quotes, as well as identifying cost-saving opportunities throughout the development process. Vehicle Cost Engineers play a crucial role in maximizing profitability and maintaining competitiveness in the automotive industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a vehicle cost engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Vehicle Cost Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical or automotive engineering, strong analytical skills, and experience with cost estimation methods. Familiarity with product lifecycle management (PLM) software, cost modeling tools, and advanced Excel functions is typically required, along with knowledge of manufacturing processes. Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving abilities help you collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and suppliers. These skills are crucial for accurately forecasting costs, optimizing budgets, and ensuring the financial viability of vehicle development projects.

How does a vehicle cost engineer typically collaborate with design and manufacturing teams during a vehicle development project?

Vehicle Cost Engineers play a critical role in cross-functional teams, working closely with both design and manufacturing departments throughout the vehicle development process. They provide cost estimates and analyses for different design options, helping to identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality. Regular meetings and open communication with engineers, suppliers, and procurement specialists are essential, as Vehicle Cost Engineers must ensure that proposed changes align with budgetary constraints and project timelines. This collaborative environment allows them to influence key decisions and contribute to the overall financial success of new vehicle launches.

What is the difference between Vehicle Cost Engineer vs Vehicle Design Engineer?

AspectVehicle Cost EngineerVehicle Design Engineer
Primary FocusCost analysis, budgeting, and cost reduction strategies for vehiclesDesign, development, and engineering of vehicle components and systems
Required SkillsCost estimation, financial analysis, supply chain knowledgeCAD design, engineering principles, innovation in vehicle design
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, cost departments, supplier interactionsDesign studios, engineering labs, R&D departments
Common CertificationsNone specific, often requires engineering degreeEngineering degrees, CAD certifications

The Vehicle Cost Engineer primarily focuses on managing and reducing vehicle production costs through analysis and budgeting, while the Vehicle Design Engineer concentrates on creating and developing vehicle designs. Both roles require engineering backgrounds but differ in their core responsibilities and work environments.

More about Vehicle Cost Engineer jobs

What states have the most Vehicle Cost Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Vehicle Cost Engineer jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Vehicle Cost Engineer jobs?

For Vehicle Cost Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Vehicle Cost Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 59% Full Time, 40% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,134 per year, or $41.4 per hour.

Cost Engineer Active Job ID: 298

Troy, MI • On-site

Other

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Work Authorization Requirement

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship at this time.


Core Responsibilities

The Cost Engineering support OEM position will be the Finance / Supply Chain business partner to the development teams for everything Bill of Material cost related – from tracking and reporting the fluctuations, to do should-cost analysis, business cases and material cost reduction. You will be responsible for supporting, measuring and reporting the bill of materials for the vehicle programs to help management understand our costs and targets inside and out, and to meet our margin goals.

The Cost Engineer position will be the Finance / Supply Chain business partner is responsible to create, analyze and validate component material costs and targets. The cost estimator will be responsible for generating ground-up / and detailed material cost estimates that encompass both piece price and tooling estimations. Collaboration with key internal cross functional teams is essential will have a working relationship with the product engineering team, the purchasing and supply chain team, the vehicle program team, our global partners, and to the external component supply base.

This role involves a support level of independence, judgment, initiative, creativity, and the management of multiple estimates that focus specially on identifying accurate cost estimates as well as proposed cost reductions. The cost estimator will have exposure and work with the next generation of leading-edge automotive experts and technologies.

Role & Responsibilities:


· Support daily / weekly should cost model updates for Supply Chain, Engineering, Finance, Studio teams.

· Help and prioritize the should cost model targets for Supply Chain team.

· Run high level Cost Model estimating using Apriori software and other costing methods to support fast souring targets.

· Build Core team to support all major components.

· Cost target setting for all major components in vehicle.

· Work with engineering to review CAD models to see cost-saving ideas before sourcing them to suppliers.

· Help with supplier negotiations and cost reviews

· Teach and mentor team members on Apriori platforms

· Interview and hire cost team members

· Build up team to support full EBOM

· Check CAD files for DFM, and feasibility, best materials for cost and performance

· Help Finance set targets in project X to achieve EBOM cost goals

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree required in a relevant field of study (e.g. business, finance, engineering); MBA and/or master’s degree in a relevant field a plus
  • Cost Engineering Software expertise
  • CAD expertise with all major systems
  • Tooling expertise with plastics, metal, castings, sheet metal, HV wiring, Battery packs, etc.
  • Minimum of 1-3+ years of experience with an OEM and/or other relevant corporation; experience with a multinational organization preferred.
  • Prior working experience in product costing, product development finance and cost reduction efforts are required.
  • Exceptional excel skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.
  • Strong work ethic, professionalism and flexibility; must possess the ability to adapt to a growing & evolving environment and a dynamic industry.
  • Background in automotive and/or technology industries a must
  • Strong negotiation skills a plus
  • Some travel may be required.
  • Manufacturing and launch experience in an automotive setting. (OEM, Tier 1, or Tier 2 environnement)
  • An in-depth understanding of expected manufacturing technical cost factors such as material, labor, burden (shared and dedicated) along with associated commercial factors such as SG&P, logistics and capital recovery methodologies.