Job Purpose- To achieve HDMA business targets, it is critically important to determine whether a given part/system design is cost competitive and a reasonable value for the money.
- The Cost Planning Sr. Principal Engineer serves as a senior technical leader within the assigned category, responsible for evaluating cost competitiveness, guiding proposal direction, and aligning stakeholders to deliver business results.
- This role exercises independent judgment in assessing cost targets and proposals while recommending direction and escalating final decisions as appropriate.
Key Accountabilities Technical Leadership, Direction Setting, and Team Guidance: • Leverages experience, technical credibility, and business judgment to lead category cost optimization discussions and drive alignment among design, cost, purchasing, and related stakeholders.
• Assesses the strength of proposals versus alternatives and determines the recommended direction, actions, priorities, and schedule for the Cost Planning team within the assigned category.
• Provides guidance to cost engineers on analysis approach, issue breakdown, task ownership, and timing in order to maintain commitments and achieve category targets.
• Influences decisions through clear, persuasive written and verbal communication and through fact-based evaluation of cost, feasibility, competitiveness, and customer value.
Expertise and Strategic Cost Evaluation: • Possesses strong knowledge of part design, materials, manufacturing processes, cost drivers, and investment implications within the assigned technical area.
• Evaluates whether designs are optimized for cost, investment, manufacturability, and customer perception of value, while balancing regulations, market competitiveness, quality, and weight considerations.
• Identifies opportunity areas, matures proposals for business improvement, and applies broad "big picture" thinking to prioritize efforts that maximize business impact versus required effort.
• Stays current on emerging technologies, benchmarking insights, and relevant technical or supplier trends to strengthen category strategy and recommendations.
Key Accountabilities (Contd.) Qualifications, Experience, and Skills - Minimum education:
- Must have a Bachelor's level degree in a STEM field of study (preferably Mechcanical / Electrical / Automotive / Mechatronics etc).
- Minimum work experience:
• At least 15 years of relevant industry experience in product development, cost planning and technical/team leadership.
• Technical expertise in part, materials and manufacturing process and cost drivers.
• Must be an expert in at least one or more of these areas - electrical harnesses (wiring connecting the power and signal to components), battery management systems, infotainment systems, interior lighting.
• Ability to determine if a design is optimized for cost, investment, manufacturability and customer value.
• Ability to assess proposal feasibility, implementation path and cross functional impact.
• Working knowledge of CATIA (not expert), Excel, Powerpoint for analysis and reporting.
• Strong facilitation, consensus-building, and technical communication skills in a fast-paced team environment.
Workstyle - This is an onsite job. One remote workday per week may be possible with prior departmental approval.
What differentiates Honda and makes us an employer of choice? Total Rewards: - Competitive Base Salary (pay will be based on several variables that include, but not limited to geographic location, work experience, etc.)
- Regional Bonus (when applicable)
- Manager Lease Car Program (No Cost - Car, Maintenance, and Insurance included)
- Industry-leading Benefit Plans (Medical, Dental, Vision, Rx)
- Paid time off, including vacation, holidays, shutdown
- Company Paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
- 401K Plan with company match + additional contribution
- Relocation assistance (if eligible)
Career Growth: - Advancement Opportunities
- Career Mobility
- Education Reimbursement for Continued learning
- Training and Development Programs
Additional Offerings: - Lifestyle Account
- Childcare Reimbursement Account
- Elder Care Support
- Tuition Assistance & Student Loan Repayment
- Wellbeing Program
- Community Service and Engagement Programs
- Product Programs
