Product Cost Engineer

Job Title: Value Engineer

Job Description

The Product Cost Engineer identifies and executes engineering-driven cost reduction initiatives across existing products while ensuring that quality and performance are maintained. This role focuses on value engineering and should-cost analysis, evaluating materials, components, assemblies, and manufacturing processes to uncover cost savings opportunities. The position partners closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Procurement teams to develop and implement product cost optimization strategies that improve gross margin through engineering improvements and design enhancements. It offers the opportunity to build a new value engineering function, influence product design and manufacturing strategy, and drive long-term cost reduction initiatives across multiple product lines.

Responsibilities

• Identify and execute engineering-driven cost reduction initiatives across existing products.
• Perform value engineering and should-cost analysis to evaluate product designs and manufacturing approaches.
• Assess materials, components, assemblies, and manufacturing processes to uncover cost savings opportunities.
• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Procurement teams to develop cost optimization strategies.
• Develop clear recommendations for product cost optimization while maintaining product quality and performance standards.
• Drive approved cost reduction projects from concept through full implementation.
• Support cost modeling and value engineering activities across multiple product lines.
• Track, document, and communicate savings opportunities, project status, and final results to stakeholders.
• Improve gross margin through engineering improvements, design enhancements, and design-for-cost initiatives.
• Collaborate with executive leadership and cross-functional teams to align cost reduction initiatives with business goals.
• Contribute to building a brand-new value engineering function and associated processes.
• Provide technical guidance on design for manufacturing (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) principles to support cost-effective product designs.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering.
• 5+ years of engineering experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Direct experience in Value Engineering, Cost Engineering, Product Costing, Design-to-Cost, or cost reduction activities.
• Proven track record of leading and successfully delivering cost reduction initiatives.
• Experience performing should-cost analysis and supporting cost modeling activities.
• Manufacturing industry experience with demonstrated cost savings initiatives and cost analysis.
• Understanding of Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and develop actionable insights.
• Strong cross-functional communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and procurement teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in automotive or aerospace manufacturing environments.
• Hands-on exposure to design for manufacturing and design for assembly practices.
• ERP/MRP system experience, with the ability to use these tools to support cost analysis and project tracking.
• Experience working in fast-growing organizations or environments transitioning to more mature manufacturing operations.
• Ability to influence product design and manufacturing strategy through data-driven recommendations.
• Comfort working in a high-visibility role with direct impact on company profitability and gross margin.
• Ability to create and drive long-term cost reduction initiatives across multiple product lines.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to partner with executive leadership on strategic initiatives.

Work Environment

This role is 100% onsite in Fountain Inn, SC, within a collaborative engineering and manufacturing environment. You will work closely with cross-functional teams, including Engineering, Manufacturing, Procurement, and Supply Chain, in a setting that blends technical analysis, project leadership, and stakeholder collaboration. The organization is fast-growing and transitioning from a smaller company into a more mature manufacturing operation, offering significant opportunities to shape processes and influence product design and manufacturing strategy. The environment emphasizes teamwork, transparency, and continuous improvement, with a strong focus on building a brand-new value engineering function and driving meaningful impact on profitability and gross margin.Value

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Fountain Inn, SC.

The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $65.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Fountain Inn,SC.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 24, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.