Cost Engineer – Automotive Commodities (Interior / Exterior / Seating / IP)-Riyadh,KSA

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Onsite)

Duration:12 months (Extendable)
Department: Cost Engineering
Reporting To: Client Hiring Manager

 Job Summary

The Cost Engineer is responsible for end-to-end cost estimation, benchmarking, supplier quote evaluation, negotiation support, and cost optimization across assigned automotive commodities.

The role works cross-functionally with Engineering, Procurement, Manufacturing, Finance, and Suppliers to ensure optimized and competitive product cost throughout the vehicle lifecycle.

Commodity Scope:
Seating Systems / Interior / Exterior / Hard Trims / Soft Trims / Plastics Parts / Glazing / Instrument Panel (IP) / Center Console / Door Trim

 Key Responsibilities

 Cost Estimation & Breakdown

• Develop detailed should-cost models including:

  • Raw material costing (PP, ABS, PC, Steel, Aluminum, Foam, Fabric, Glass, etc.)

  • Process costing (Injection molding, blow molding, thermoforming, stamping, welding, painting, assembly)

  • Tooling cost (molds, dies, fixtures, jigs)

  • Overhead and margin modeling

• Perform weight-based and feature-based cost calculations using CAD data

• Use Siemens NX for:

  • Volume calculation

  • Thickness analysis

  • Feature complexity assessment

• Maintain commodity benchmarks and cost databases

 Supplier Quote Analysis

• Analyze RFQ submissions from suppliers

• Compare:

  • Material price variance

  • Process assumptions

  • Cycle time

  • Tool amortization

  • Localization benefits

• Conduct gap analysis (Supplier Quote vs Should-Cost)

• Support procurement with negotiation strategy inputs

 Negotiation & Procurement Support

• Provide cost breakdown logic during supplier negotiations

• Identify:

  • Cost drivers

  • Hidden margins

  • Process inefficiencies

• Support target setting and cost alignment meetings

 Cost Reduction & VA/VE

• Propose:

  • Material substitution

  • Thickness optimization

  • Design simplification

  • Process changes (e.g., 2-shot molding vs assembly)

• Participate in:

  • VA/VE workshops

  • Tear-down benchmarking

  • Competitor analysis

 Cross-Functional Coordination

• Represent Cost Engineering in:

  • Engineering reviews

  • Procurement strategy discussions

  • Module team meetings

• Collaborate with:

  • Design teams

  • Manufacturing Engineering

  • Finance

  • Program Management

 PLM & Documentation

• Use Teamcenter for:

  • BOM extraction

  • Part revision tracking

  • Change management cost impact analysis

• Prepare structured cost reports

• Support gate reviews with cost status reporting