Managing Principal Value Engineering

Intuitive•Sunnyvale, CA

11h•Onsite

About The Position

Primary Function of the Position The Principal Engineering Leader for Value Engineering (VEL) is a senior technical and strategic leader responsible for developing, implementing, and championing Value Engineering (VE) processes across the organization. This role is pivotal in embedding a cost optimization mindset, driving product cost savings, and ensuring that value is maximized across the full product lifecycle with solutions for cost, quality, and scale through a collaborative, cross-functional approach.

Requirements

Must have experience leading a value engineering, cost savings, or VAVE organization.
In-depth knowledge of value engineering, value analysis, and/or value management methodologies and processes required.
Must have management experience of a team of engineers.
Strong technical skills, involving problem solving, DFM, and should-cost/could-cost.
Proven ability to interpret detailed drawings and execute tolerance stack-ups for assemblies.
Strong understanding of best practices in Project management, Agile, Six Sigma, Lean, Statistical process control etc. is highly desirable
Strong verbal and written communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills
Minimum Education & Experience: BS degree in Engineering with 15+ years experience, Master’s plus 12 years experience, or PhD plus 8 years of experience in design engineering, manufacturing engineering, process engineering, supplier engineering.

Nice To Haves

Medical Device, Automotive, or Aerospace experience is a plus
Certified Value Methodology Associate or Value Specialist preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage and grow a high performing team of Value Engineers.
Maintain a culture of achieving challenging goals.
Coach and empower your team to continually improve and strengthen core engineering skills.
Develop and Implement VE Processes - Architect and continuously improve VE processes, tools, and checklists. Ensure VE is embedded in the Product Development Process (PDP) and that best practices are standardized and disseminated to improve product cost, quality, and scale.
Drive Cost Optimization - Lead initiatives to close identified savings gaps, set goals for short, medium, and long terms savings focusing on COGS, COQ, DFx, and product cost for new and sustaining products. Own cost savings strategic thrusts.
Cross-Functional Leadership - Collaborate with executive sponsors, VE leaders, and value engineers across Design, Manufacturing, and Supplier Engineering. Chair and participate in VE committees and review boards to ensure alignment and progress.
Project and KPI Ownership - Set and track clear goals, KPIs, and deliverables for VE workstreams. Quantify cost savings, quality impacts, and process adoption metrics. Ensure timely and effective execution of VE projects to deliver results.
Strategic Influence - Shape the purpose, intent, and approach of VE within the organization. Remove roadblocks, align cross-functional teams, and drive adoption of VE as a core organizational habit. In conjunction with cross functional teams (e.g. design, PMO, strategic supply chain), create technology roadmaps for manufacturing processes, DFx tools, cost modeling, etc.
Understand the supplier landscape, develop, and maintain deep technical relationships at core suppliers. Influence supplier technology roadmaps to ensure Intuitive system and instrument technical requirements are met.
Act as subject matter expert within Intuitive on state of the art in value engineering, and component manufacturing processes. Drive for adoption of this state within the organization.
Provide technical review and analysis and responses to suppliers proposals and RFx(e.g. request for technical information).
Define criteria/guidelines for design for manufacturing based on process, and best practices for qualifying components.