General Motors

Cost Engineer - Cost Analysis & Special Studies

General Motors • $80K — $95K *
Warren, MI 48089Hybrid
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 3+ years of experience in manufacturing, product design, or purchasing.
  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, or related field; MBA is a plus.
  • Proven financial evaluation skills for technical concepts and production processes.
  • Strong autonomy in managing complex projects with a sense of ownership.
  • Effective communication skills to build relationships across global teams.
  • Expertise in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, and familiarity with internal cost estimating software.

Responsibilities

  • Analyze and organize large sets of cost data for accuracy.
  • Collaborate with the purchasing team to provide competitive cost for components.
  • Travel to supplier facilities for costing discussions with engineering and purchasing teams.
  • Support product and tooling cost assessments in GM's project management framework.
  • Develop and maintain cost models following GM's best practices.
  • Identify and implement improvements in cost estimation processes.
  • Participate in cross-team initiatives for efficiency enhancements.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work environment with a minimum in-office presence requirement.
  • Exposure to advanced automotive technologies and next-gen propulsion systems.
  • Opportunity to work with leading automotive experts and cross-functional teams.
  • Continuous learning and development opportunities within cost engineering.
Full Job Description
Job Description

Cost Engineer

The Cost Engineer (or CE) is responsible to create, analyze and validate component material costs and targets. The cost engineer working in the PPCO / Product Program Cost Optimization team will be responsible for generating ground-up / detailed material cost estimates that encompass both piece price estimations and production tooling estimations. Collaboration with key internal cross functional peers is essential; the selected candidate will have a working relationship with the product engineering team, the purchasing and supply chain team, the vehicle program team, our global partners (including Mexico, South America and South Korea), and to an extent the external component supply base.

This role involves a high strong level of independent judgment, initiative, creativity, and the management of multiple estimates within a defined commodity / program scope and established PPCO processes that focus specifically on identifying accurate cost estimates as well as proposed cost reductions. The cost engineer will have exposure to the next generation of automotive vehicles and propulsion systems while working with leading edge automotive experts and technologies.

The Cost Engineer focuses on accurate execution, continuous improvement of their own work products, and building strong relationships with cross-functional partners as they grow toward broader responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities include:
  • The candidate should be able to analyze, organize, and understand large amount of data.
  • Comprehension of manufacturing process knowledge. An understanding of regional difference in manufacturing processes / assumptions is helpful.
  • Be an active partner with the internal GPSC purchasing team - aid in providing a fair yet competitive component cost for GM.
  • Occasional domestic travel to supplier facilities for enhanced costing collaboration and support of the specific engineering / purchasing team.
  • Support the assigned GM SMT/PMT from a tooling and piece price perspective.
  • Develop and maintain GMCO$T (and related) cost models and documentation for assigned content, following PPCO standards and best practices.
  • Identify and implement process improvements within own work (templates, trackers, data quality) and participate in cross-team improvement efforts led by senior cost engineers and leaders.


Required Skills:
  • Experience in the financial evaluation of technical concepts and comprehensive understanding of production processes.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and assignments with a high degree of autonomy and complexity. strong sense of ownership, exercising increasing autonomy within a defined scope, and seeking guidance on novel or cross-functional issues.
  • Ability to lead change, resolve conflicts, and influence without direct authority. contribute to change efforts, help resolve issues, and build influence without direct authority within the immediate team and cross-functional partners.
  • Ability to assimilate a large amount of cost data and clearly condense / communicate information to the larger GM team in an efficient way.
  • Analytical ability to solve problems that are unique and sometimes complex. Ability to use data driven analysis to identify solutions, establish next steps to assigned projects, and manage open items is crucial.
  • Effective communication and interpersonal skills required to build relationships with global team members and cross functional peers.
  • Demonstrated ability to use all Microsoft Office software and show an expertise in MS Excel. Ability to use / learn GMCO$T (internal GM cost estimating software).
  • Demonstrated curiosity and continuous learning mindset; actively seeks coaching from senior cost engineers and shares learnings and best practices with peers (e.g., GMCO$T, PIM, CERT, eSOR).

Required Experience / Educational Qualification:
  • At least 3 years of relevant experience in manufacturing, product design / engineering, or purchasing.
  • A Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, or related / relevant field of study or substantial cost estimating experience.
  • A Graduate degree in Business Administration (MBA), Technical Management, or Engineering is a plus.

Preferred Skills - Experience with any of the following:
  • Experience at automotive OEM's or other product manufacturing
  • A desire to learn details of automotive components, manufacturing, and financial cost drivers
  • Ability to gather insights from data


Location: Hybrid. This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to the - Global HQ Warren Mi three times per week, at minimum [or other frequency dictated by the business]

Relocation: This role is NOT eligible for relocation benefits

GM DOES NOT PROVIDE IMMIGRATION-RELATED SPONSORSHIP FOR THIS ROLE. DO NOT APPLY FOR THIS ROLE IF YOU WILL NEED GM IMMIGRATION SPONSORSHIP NOW OR IN THE FUTURE. THIS INCLUDES DIRECT COMPANY SPONSORSHIP, ENTRY OF GM AS THE IMMIGRATION EMPLOYER OF RECORD ON A GOVERNMENT FORM, AND ANY WORK AUTHORIZATION REQUIRING A WRITTEN SUBMISSION OR OTHER IMMIGRATION SUPPORT FROM THE COMPANY (e.g., H-1B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc.)

About General Motors

General Motors Company engages in the manufacture and sale of cars and trucks in the United States, China, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy. It offers sedans, crossovers, sport utility vehicles, pick-up trucks, coupes, sports/convertibles and hybrid vehicles, hatchbacks/wagons, and vans, as well as mini cars in India. The company also provides parts and accessories, such as iPod and MP3 compatibility, mobility accessories, performance parts, AC parts and services, and merchandise. In addition, it offers vehicle safety, security, and information services. The company provides used vehicles. It offers its products through dealers and distributors. General Motors Company was formerly known as NGMCO, Inc. and changed its name to General Motors Company in July 2009. The company was incorporated in 2009 and is based in Detroit, Michigan. It operates manufacturing facilities in India, the United States, and Canada. General Motors Company operates as a subsidiary of the United States Department of The Treasury. General Motors led global vehicle sales for 77 consecutive years from 1931 through 2007, longer than any other automaker, and is currently among the world's largest automakers by vehicle unit sales. General Motors acts in most countries outside the USA via wholly-owned subsidiaries but operates in China through 10 joint ventures. GM's OnStar subsidiary provides vehicle safety, security, and information services. In 2009, General Motors shed several brands, closing Saturn, Pontiac, and Hummer, and emerged from a government-backed Chapter 11 reorganization. In 2010, GM made an initial public offering IPOs to date and returned to profitability later that year.

General Motors Careers

Join the dynamic team at General Motors, a global leader in automotive innovation and technology. At General Motors, we offer unparalleled job opportunities that propel your career forward while contributing to a legacy of engineering excellence.

Work You’ll Do

Embark on a career with General Motors to drive the future of mobility. Our team is dedicated to redefining the automotive landscape through innovation and leadership in electric vehicles and sustainable solutions. By joining us, you will be part of a culture that values diversity, teamwork, and continuous professional growth.

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General Motors is not just a company; it's a community where you can grow your skills alongside the best in the industry. Our leadership is committed to providing every employee—from interns to senior professionals—with opportunities for career advancement, leadership development, and diversity training.

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At General Motors, innovation is at the core of everything we do. From research and development to manufacturing, our teams work collaboratively to lead the industry with cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices. We encourage our employees to think big and push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Join Our Global Team

As part of our global workforce, you will collaborate with talented individuals who are passionate about shaping the future of transportation. General Motors offers a variety of career paths in engineering, design, IT, marketing, and more. With over 155,000 employees worldwide, our network provides expansive opportunities for networking and professional development.

Internship Programs and Employment Benefits

Start your career journey with a General Motors internship, where you can apply your academic knowledge to real-world projects. Our internships provide a robust foundation in the automotive industry, with mentorship from experienced leaders. Full-time employees enjoy a wealth of benefits, including comprehensive health care, retirement plans, and performance bonuses, ensuring that your hard work is rewarded.

Explore Job Opportunities

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, General Motors offers positions that leverage your unique skills. Our hiring process is designed to identify and nurture talent, focusing on aligning your capabilities with the right opportunities for growth within the company.

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Learn more about General Motors
Size
157,000 employees
Market Cap
$46.9 billion
Industry
Manufacturing & Automotive
Net Income
$6.4 billion
Founded
1908
5 Year Trend
-3.2%
Revenue
$122.4 billion
NASDAQ
GM
* Ladders Estimates

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