Cad Engineer - Cost & Sourcing

Job Title: CAD Engineer

This role focuses on supporting automotive programs by combining CAD-based product understanding with strong cost management, sourcing strategy, and digital automation skills. You will work across exterior, interior, chassis, or electrical systems to analyse cost drivers, track financial performance, and support sourcing decisions from program start through launch. The position requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams and suppliers to ensure cost-effective, high-quality engineering solutions.

Responsibilities

• Apply hands-on experience with automotive commodities such as exterior, interior, chassis, or electrical systems to support cost and sourcing decisions.
• Use CAD tools to view, measure, and analyse 3D models and drawings to understand design content and cost implications.
• Leverage a strong understanding of manufacturing processes such as stamping, moulding, casting, and assembly to identify and deliver cost targets.
• Utilise PLM systems to access and manage product data throughout the product lifecycle.
• Monitor, update, and report program cost status, including risks and opportunities, from program start through Job 1.
• Lead financial trade-off discussions with cross-functional teams to balance cost changes against product requirements.
• Partner with suppliers to obtain detailed quotes and collaborate with internal cost estimation teams to develop accurate estimates for engineering changes.
• Facilitate and drive cross-functional team governance meetings with finance, purchasing, and cost estimation stakeholders.
• Identify and pursue cost reduction opportunities from supplier quotes, including material costs, tooling costs, and engineering design and testing costs, across design, development, and launch phases.
• Maintain and manage the program change tracker from program start to Job 1, ensuring all changes and associated costs are accurately captured.
• Support and track the execution of supplier onboarding and sourcing alignment plans.
• Verify supplier engineering design and testing (ED&T) activities against the Engineering Statement of Work and secure necessary approvals from governance boards.
• Prepare and present tooling cost estimates to program management in a clear and concise manner.
• Track and report tooling and purchase order status to key stakeholders, ensuring transparency and timely updates.
• Use strong analytical skills to manage complex trackers and financial data for program cost management.
• Collaborate effectively with regional and global cross-functional teams, communicating findings, risks, and recommendations.
• Identify opportunities to automate manual tasks, reports, or database tracking to improve team operational efficiency using digital tools.

• Hands-on experience with automotive commodities such as exterior, interior, chassis, or electrical systems.
• Strong understanding of commodity cost drivers and manufacturing processes including stamping, moulding, casting, and assembly.
• Basic knowledge of CAD tools for viewing, measuring, and analysing 3D models and drawings.
• Familiarity with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems.
• Strong understanding of automotive product development milestones from program start to Job 1 and related change management processes.
• Exceptional understanding of cost drivers and the ability to identify cost opportunities from supplier quotes.
• Strong analytical capabilities to manage complex trackers and financial data.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to collaborate with regional and global cross-functional teams.
• Self-starter mindset, with high motivation and a strong desire to learn new skills.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

• Practical knowledge and hands-on experience with Microsoft Power Platform tools, including Power BI for data visualization, Power Automate for workflow automation, and Power Apps for custom business solutions.
• Proven track record of automating manual tasks, reports, or database tracking to improve operational efficiency.
• Basic knowledge of PLM tools such as Teamcenter or 3Dx.
• Experience in costing and should-costing activities.
• Experience working with engineering design and testing (ED&T) activities and Engineering Statements of Work.
• Comfort working with cross-functional governance structures involving finance, purchasing, and cost estimation teams.

You will work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment that supports automotive product development from early program start through launch. The role involves regular interaction with cross-functional teams in finance, purchasing, engineering, and cost estimation, as well as direct collaboration with suppliers. You will use CAD tools, PLM systems, and Microsoft Power Platform applications such as Power BI, Power Automate, and Power Apps to manage data, visualise costs, and automate workflows. The position emphasises structured governance, regular cost and status reporting, and disciplined change management throughout the program lifecycle.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, Diversity And Inclusion Are a Bridge Towards The Equity And Success Of Our People. DE&I Is Embedded Into Our Culture Through

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, weve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.