Key Responsibilites
 

• Lead and execute Value Analysis and Value Engineering (VA/VE) workshops, technical design reviews, and teardown activities focused on seating systems.

• Identify, develop, and present technical cost-reduction and weight-optimization ideas to cross-functional leadership and client engineering teams.

• Analyze engineering designs, CAD layouts, and Bill of Materials (BOM) to eliminate unnecessary design complexity and identify key cost drivers.

• Collaborate with Product Engineering and Design Release Engineers (DRE) to evaluate the technical feasibility of proposed design changes, ensuring alignment with NVH, safety, and durability targets.

• Partner with Cost Engineering to develop robust should-cost models and estimate variable/tooling savings for proposed optimization ideas.

• Evaluate seating manufacturing processes—such as metal stamping, welding, plastic injection molding, foam molding, and cut-and-sew operations—to identify process-driven cost efficiencies.

• Coordinate with global Tier 1 seating suppliers to evaluate supplier-driven value-add ideas and review implementation feasibility.

• Manage the cross-functional tracking database for all seating optimization ideas, driving ideas from initial concept brainstorming through formal engineering release and plant implementation.

Value optimization and VA/VE activities cover complete seat systems and their sub-assemblies:

• Structures & Frames: Front and rear seat frames, cushions, backrests, and floor mounting brackets.

• Mechanisms & Kinematics: Tracks, manual/power recliners, lifters, height adjusters, and latches.

• Soft Trim & Foam: Molded polyurethane foam pad contours, trim covers (leather, fabric, vinyl), and heating/ventilation modules.

• Plastics & Safety Components: Side shields, bac

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline.

• Experience: Minimum of 5+ years of professional engineering experience in the automotive industry, specifically focused on automotive seating system design, development, processing, or VA/VE.

• VA/VE & Optimization Expertise: Strong background leading competitive benchmarking, product teardowns, and design-to-cost exercises for interior components.

• Manufacturing Knowledge: Solid understanding of metal forming, robotic welding, plastic injection molding, and assembly methodologies within a high-volume manufacturing environment.

• Core Engineering Competencies: Deep understanding of DFMEA, design standards, and vehicle regulatory/safety requirements related to seating (e.g., FMVSS/ECE regulations).

• Languages: Advanced English language skills (written and oral) for regular collaboration within global engineering frameworks.

• Direct design or optimization experience working for major Tier 1 seating suppliers (e.g., Lear, Adient, Forvia, Magna).
• Certified Value Specialist (CVS) designation or formal training in SAVE International VA/VE methodologies.
• Proficiency using 3D CAD visualization or design tools (e.g., CATIA V5/V6 or NX) to conduct basic design reviews and package space verification.