Product Cost Engineer

Main responsibilities and tasks:
Lead Value Engineering studies on cast, machined and forged compressor parts and commodities, in close cooperation with Engineering, Product Management and Category Managers (Procurement). Develop and maintain detailed bottom-up should-cost models for castings, forgings and machined parts - covering raw material, process routing, cycle times, Machine Hour Rates (MHR), labour, energy, tooling, yield/scrap, overheads and profit structures - to define the cost baseline and identify use cases. Build and maintain MHR databases, commodity cost modules and cost libraries with documented assumptions. Benchmark supplier quotations against internal should-cost models and support fact-based cost negotiations. Validate manufacturing assumptions with Engineering. Assess manufacturing feasibility and drive Design-to-Cost / Design-for-Manufacturing (DFM) improvements across casting, machining and forging (e.g. material substitution, near-net-shape, process routing, tolerance and tooling optimisation). Train buyers and engineers on cost drivers. Establish close relationships and a safe environment with project stakeholders to discuss insights, align on targets and agree savings opportunities. Produce the documents required to present should-costing study results, including a final report with cost evaluation, recommendations and study finalisation. Provide clarifications and assistance to decision makers during the decision-making process. Prepare project charter, project closure, regular reports, KPI tracking and planning for the assigned projects. Report on progress and roadblocks to project stakeholders and the Value Engineering Global Manager. Attend follow-up sessions with Management when required. Support process implementation and interface definition across the Systems Division of Burckhardt Compression. Drive forward the Value Engineering and should-costing process with suppliers and 3rd parties.
Education, Experience and Languages:
Graduation / Post-Graduation in Mechanical Engineering or similar. Atleast 8 years' experience in manufacturing engineering and/or value engineering, with in-depth hands-on knowledge of casting (sand/investment), machining and forging processes. Proven expertise in should-costing methodology and cost-estimation tools (e.g. Excel, CostData, aPriori, Facton, Teamcenter Product Cost Management or equivalent). Core technical competencies: cycle-time calculation, Machine Hour Rate (MHR) development, CAD drawing interpretation, GD&T and manufacturing tolerances, and data analytics. Solid knowledge of Value Analysis / Value Engineering methodology and international standards (e.g. API, ASME, ASTM); able to read technical drawings, GD&T and material specifications for cast, machined and forged parts. Basic know-how of Master Data and SAP transactions. MS Office and Power BI. AI tools and AI Agent creation Ability to travel up to 20% of work schedule. Language: local language and fluent English; basic technical vocabulary in both languages.
Burckhardt Compression creates leading compression solutions for a sustainable energy future and the long-term success of its customers. The Group is the only global manufacturer that covers a full range of reciprocating compressor technologies and services. Since 1844, its passionate, customer-oriented and solution-driven workforce has set the benchmark in the gas compression industry.