Director of Advanced Engineering & Cost Estimating

The Director of Advanced Manufacturing Engineering & Cost Estimating is responsible for the analysis and quoting of the companys new business opportunities to support creation of the process and facility costs. Responsibilities include automation leading the engineering cost estimating resources quoting of all new business and engineering changes customer technical presentations supporting internal and external cost reviews and working with sales on priority setting and strategic alignment / fit of new business opportunities.

Piston Automotivewasnt just founded to make things. It was founded to make things better. And that begins with building better teams solely dedicated to achieving excellence at every level of execution through a combination of experience expertise and a deep seeded passion for what we do. Our assemblies consistently set the standard because our people consistently raise the bar.

Why Piston Automotive

Competitive Wages Paid Holidays & Vacation Medical & Rx Plans Dental & Vision Plans Flexible Spending Accounts Health Savings Accounts Employee Assistance Program Life & Disability Coverage 401K with Company Match Tuition Reimbursement Vehicle and Product Discounts

Strategic & CrossFunctional Leadership

• Develop and execute the development of future manufacturing strategy for module assembly operations.
• Serve as the technical authority for manufacturability process feasibility and cost modeling during RFQs and early program development.
• Partner closely with OEM customers Engineering Program Management Supply Chain and Operations to ensure alignment on design timing and launch deliverables.
• Drive standardization and automation of manufacturing processes equipment and cost models across Piston Automotive facilities.

Advanced Manufacturing Engineering

• Lead the development and industrialization of assembly processes for complex automotive modules including mechanical assembly electrical integration testing and endofline validation.
• Direct automation strategy including robotics vision systems errorproofing and digital manufacturing tools to improve quality and reduce labor content.
• Evaluate and justify capital equipment investments ensuring alignment with customer requirements volume forecasts and cost targets.
• Ensure seamless transition from prototype builds to pilot and fullrate production including runatrate readiness and customer launch support particularly for advanced technologies.

Cost Estimating & Cost Engineering

• Own the enterprise cost estimating function for new business pursuits and engineering changes.
• Develop and maintain shouldcost models for labor materials tooling and capital especially as relates to automated processes.
• Assist in cost breakdown reviews with OEMs supporting commercial teams with defensible datadriven cost positions.
• Benchmark competitive manufacturing processes cycle times and cost structures to maintain market competitiveness.
• Partner with Supply Chain to validate purchased system costs and identify costdown opportunities.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Champion lean manufacturing standardized work and wastereduction initiatives across module assembly operations.
• Drive continuous improvement in cycle time labor efficiency scrap reduction and process capability.
• Establish KPIs for cost accuracy launch readiness process stability and manufacturing performance.
• Support plant teams in resolving chronic process issues quality concerns and customer escalations.

Team Leadership & Development

• Build and lead highperforming teams of manufacturing engineers industrial engineers cost estimators and technical specialists.
• Develop organizational capability in automation digital manufacturing and advanced assembly technologies.
• Foster a culture of accountability innovation and continuous improvement across engineering and cost teams.
• Other duties as assigned

Education & Experience

• Bachelors degree in Mechanical Manufacturing Industrial Engineering or related field preferred; Masters degree a plus.
• 1015 years of experience in automotive manufacturing engineering advanced manufacturing cost estimating or related leadership roles.
• Proven experience in Tier 1 module assembly environments (e.g. cockpit frontend seating closures battery modules).

• Strong track record of leading APQP/PPAP processes and supporting OEM program launches.
• Experience managing capital projects automation deployments and highvolume assembly operations.

Technical Skills

• Deep understanding of automotive assembly processes testing methods and quality systems.
• Expertise in cost modeling shouldcost analysis and OEM costbreakdown methodologies.
• Proficiency with CAD PLM ERP and costestimation tools.
• Strong knowledge of lean manufacturing Six Sigma and process capability analysis.
• Familiarity with OEM-specific requirements (GM Ford Stellantis Toyota Honda etc.) and customer portals.

Leadership & Business Skills

• Strong communication and executivelevel presentation skills including customerfacing technical discussions.
• Ability to influence crossfunctional teams and drive alignment in a matrixed global organization.
• Datadriven decisionmaker with strong financial and commercial acumen.
• Demonstrated success in building and developing highperforming engineering teams.