Manager, Procurement – Principal Cost Engineer

Role Overview

• Serve as the primary cost engineering partner for electronics-related sourcing, providing subject matter expertise across PCBAs, cable harnesses, sensors, connectors, actuators/motors, electromechanical assemblies and related passive/active components.
• Build, maintain and own detailed should cost models at BOM and process routing level for PCBAs, discrete cables/harnesses, sensor subassemblies and electromechanical modules to support strategic sourcing, RFPs, contract renewals and complex negotiations.
• Translate BOM, routing, test and yield inputs into transparent cost structures (material, labor, manufacturing overhead, NRE, test) and identify cost levers and opportunities for value creation.
• Partner with Procurement leadership to set should cost coverage targets, prioritization criteria and engagement guidelines tailored to the electronics portfolio and business needs.
• Work upstream with R&D / NPD teams to conduct Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Test (DFT), should cost modelling and cost trade off analyses that reduce lifecycle cost while maintaining product quality and regulatory compliance.
• Support engagements with electronics contract manufacturers, component suppliers, and cable harness companies to calibrate should cost assumptions, understand capacity/footprint issues, and structure supplier specific value delivery plans (cost reduction, yield improvement, operational efficiency improvements, vertical sourcing).
• Lead supplier benchmarking and industry cost intelligence for electronics markets (commodity trends, silicon and passives pricing, labor rates, test costs, tooling amortization) and maintain an accessible cost benchmark library.
• Use digital and data analytics (including AI where appropriate) to scale cost model generation, identify outliers, automate scenario analysis, and improve time to insight.
• Support Procurement gross savings delivery, multi-year value creation pipelines and Market Movement Forecasting (MMF) performance through rigorous ideation of cost savings and sustained margin protection opportunities.
• Train and coach Procurement, Supplier Relationship Managers (SRM) and cross functional stakeholders on electronics cost engineering fundamentals, how to use should cost models in negotiations, and how to translate technical inputs into commercial outcomes.

Requirements

• 10+ years’ experience in manufacturing, cost engineering, sourcing, quoting or sales engineering with a strong focus on electronics and EMS.
• Bachelor’s Degree (required), or Master’s degree in Electrical / Electronic Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering or related discipline, preferred
• Hands on experience working with EMS suppliers and component manufacturers (SMT lines, through hole, reflow/wave, conformal coating, potting, box build, cable harness assembly).
• Demonstrated track record building and applying detailed should cost/BOM models for PCBAs, cable harnesses, sensors, connectors and electromechanical subassemblies.
• Deep understanding of electronics manufacturing cost drivers: component sourcing & pricing dynamics, PCB fabrication and assembly yields, placement and test costs, fixture/tooling amortization, test program development, rework rates, and cable harness labor content.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen — able to map technical design/process parameters to cost, build scenario analyses, and quantify savings and margin impact.
• Practical experience with DFM/DFT for electronics and the ability to influence product design trade offs for cost and manufacturability.
• Proven experience influencing senior stakeholders across Procurement, R&D and Operations in a global, matrixed environment.
• Comfortable operating independently with accountability for complex deliverables and outcomes.
• Excellent communication skills — able to translate technical cost data into clear business insights for commercial negotiations and executive audiences.
• Full professional proficiency in English.

Tech Stack

• Assembly

Benefits

• Subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)).
• This position is eligible to participate in the Company’s long-term incentive program.
• Subject to the terms of their respective policies and date of hire, employees are eligible for the following time off benefits:
• Vacation –120 hours per calendar year
• Sick time
• 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Colorado –48 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington –56 hours per calendar year
• Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays –13 days per calendar year
• Work, Personal and Family Time
• up to 40 hours per calendar year
• Parental Leave – 480 hours within one year of the birth/adoption/foster care of a child
• Bereavement Leave – 240 hours for an immediate family member: 40 hours for an extended family member per calendar year
• Caregiver Leave – 80 hours in a 52-week rolling period
• Volunteer Leave – 32 hours per calendar year
• Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours per calendar year