Cost Estimation Engineer jobs in Kalamazoo, MI

Welcome To The Traegerhood:

Our business is BBQ, and business tastes good. Traeger invented the wood pellet grill over 30 years ago, and we’ve been revolutionizing outdoor cooking ever since. We’re a team of disruptors, innovators, problem solvers, and food fanatics who are dedicated to bringing people together to create a more flavorful world. From our headquarters in Salt Lake City and beyond, we work tirelessly to provide a world-class experience to our customers, retailers, and especially our employees. If you’re a team player who’s dedicated to delivering top-quality results every day, then we want you to come cook with us!

What You'll Do:

Traeger is currently seeking a Cost Engineer for Physical Hardware Product Development who will play a critical role in ensuring design decisions align with cost goals. In this role you will be collaborating with design teams, providing cost analyses to stay within budgets, identifying cost drivers, suggesting alternatives, and optimizing cost-efficiency. Your expertise forecasts cost implications early, aiding informed decisions.  

How You Will Help Us Win:

• Proficient in understanding hardware components, manufacturing processes, and assembly methods. Knowledge of materials, tolerances, and design principles relevant to physical hardware products is essential. 
• Ability to accurately estimate the costs associated with hardware product development, including materials, labor, tooling, and manufacturing overhead.  
• Experience in leveraging engineering specifications, bill of materials (BOM), and industry benchmarks (Should Cost) to generate reliable cost projections. 
• Proficient in overseeing subsystem product budgets using Design to Cost methodology.  
• Skilled in identifying cost disparities throughout development and offering feedback to ensure adherence to budget constraints within the product team.  
• Identifying Scope creep, design complexities and associated cost impact and developing mitigation strategies in working closely with Product team 
• Proficient in collaborating with suppliers and manufacturers to gather cost estimates for hardware components and production processes.  
• Experienced in facilitating negotiations with sourcing and Supply chain team to optimize the costs at supplier and Contract manufacturers. 
• Ability to build Cost benchmarking models against industry standards or competitors to identify areas for cost optimization and efficiency improvements.
• Understanding of cost drivers and the ability to implement cost-saving strategies post launch with the sustaining engineering team.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including engineering, manufacturing, and quality assurance, to align sourcing strategies with organizational goals. 

What You'll Need to Succeed:

• Minimum 3 years of experience in Consumer industry working with international ODM/JDM contract manufacturers for consumer products.  
• A bachelor's degree in engineering, finance, or a related field preferred, with previous experience in cost engineering, project management, or hardware product development roles. 
• Strong diligence and accuracy in cost estimation, budget management, and project planning specific to hardware product development. Ability to meticulously review hardware specifications, manufacturing processes, and cost data to ensure precision and reliability. 
• Ability to facilitate discussions and make informed decisions balancing cost considerations with technical requirements and project objectives. 
• Initiative-taking, problem-solving ability to address challenges in Design vs Design to Cost. 
• Critical thinking to evaluate and make decisions based on data and analysis. 
• Ability to effectively communicate technical information to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. 

Why You Will Love To Work Here:

• Be part of the most disruptive force in outdoor cooking
• Join a true team working towards a common goal
• Culture of risk-taking, innovation & quality
• So. Much. Food.
• Full medical/dental/vision packages to fit your needs
• 401K to help you plan for the future
• Tuition reimbursement
• Individual professional development programs & initiatives to help you grow professionally
• Great discounts on all things Traeger
• Did we mention all the food?