At Sensata, we are building a team focused on delivering smarter, more cost-effective products, and we are looking for a Senior Cost Engineer to help lead that journey.

As part of our global value engineering organization, you will analyze product and manufacturing costs, develop should-cost models, and identify opportunities to improve product competitiveness and profitability.

Partnering closely with Engineering, Procurement, Manufacturing, Operations, and Finance, you will play a key role in driving cost optimization initiatives across the entire product lifecycle.

This position offers the opportunity to lead cross-functional cost reduction activities, influence design and manufacturing decisions, and help shape the future of our products through data-driven insights and advanced cost analysis.

General Responsibilities

• Development of comprehensive project budgets and advanced cost models, ensuring accuracy and alignment with complex technical drawings and specifications.
• Handles the review of drawings and specifications, and provide expert guidance in the preparation of high-level cost estimates and strategic bid packages.
• Establish, track, and ongoing maintenance of project budgets and forecasts, ensuring robust financial controls across multiple projects.
• Monitor and analyze actual project expenditures versus approved budgets, identify significant variances, and implement corrective strategies to optimize financial performance.
• Lead project cost forecasting and conduct in-depth cost-benefit analyses to inform executive decision-making and strategic planning.
• Handles the preparation of advanced cost performance reports and present key financial insights to project managers and senior leadership.
• Identify and evaluate major cost risks, manage substantial contingency funds, and develop and implement sophisticated risk mitigation strategies.
• Lead the analysis and negotiation of supplier contracts, high-value quotes, and complex change orders to ensure cost efficiency and compliance.
• Handles the maintenance of comprehensive project documentation, cost databases, and historical data, ensuring data integrity and accessibility for future projects.
• Develops high-level communication with project teams and stakeholders to resolve complex budget discrepancies and ensure strict adherence to organizational standards and best practices.

Experience / Qualifications 

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Automotive, Mechatronics, or related Engineering discipline. 

• Typically 7+ years of experience in cost engineering, value engineering, manufacturing engineering, product development, sourcing engineering, product costing, or related technical functions. 

• Experience analyzing product and manufacturing costs in a manufacturing environment. 

• Experience developing should-cost models and performing product cost analysis. 

• Experience conducting teardown studies and component-level cost evaluations. 

• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, materials, product design, and cost optimization methodologies. 

• Experience participating in supplier reviews, sourcing activities, supplier workshops, or value engineering programs. 

• Strong analytical, communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills. 

• Ability to lead technical discussions and influence cross-functional teams without direct authority. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel. 

• Experience in automotive, industrial manufacturing, electronics manufacturing, or similar environments preferred. 

• Experience with value engineering, design-to-cost, target costing, and should-cost methodologies preferred. 

SmarterTogether

• Collaborating at Sensata means working with some of the world’s most talented people in an enriching environment that is constantly pushing towards the next best thing

• Employees work across functions, countries and cultures gaining new perspectives through mutual respect and open communication

•  As OneSensata, we are working together to make things work together 

Click here to view Sensata Recruitment Privacy Statement

Click here to view our Sensata Recruitment Privacy Statement for China

NOTE:  If you are a current Sensata employee (or one of our Affiliates), please back out of this application and log into Workday via the Company Intranet to apply directly.  Type "FIND JOBS" in the Workday search bar.