Technical Procurement Principal Engineer

What Makes a Honda, is Who makes a Honda

Honda has a clear vision for the future, and it’s a joyful one.  We are looking for individuals with the skills, courage, persistence, and dreams that will help us reach our future-focused goals. 

 At our core is innovation. Honda is constantly innovating and developing solutions to drive our business with record success.  We strive to be a company that serves as a source of “power” that supports people around the world who are trying to do things based on their own initiative and that helps people expand their own potential. To this end, Honda strives to realize “the joy and freedom of mobility” by developing new technologies and an innovative approach to achieve a “zero environmental footprint.”

We are looking for qualified individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, continuous improvement values, and a strong work ethic to join our team.

If your goals and values align with Honda’s, we want you to join our team to Bring the Future!

About this Position: 

The purpose and function of the Technical Procurement Principal Engineer is to act as the lead Technical Cost SME and Purchasing PL (BPL) responsible for acting as liaison between Product Design, Purchasing, and the Supply Base in driving optimized design and tooling strategies, establishing model-level sourcing recommendations, and supporting the development of assigned Accessory models and products to achieve overall cost and launch timing objectives.

Responsibilities include:

• Review product designs through manufacturing feasibility analysis and coordinate the optimization of the product designs through interface with internal Engineering and suppliers.  Provide follow-up support for calculation and establishment of should-be target costs for piece cost and investment and support buyers in ongoing supplier negotiations for best cost.
• Develop long term strategies to reduce cost on all new models through establishment of cost analysis tools and identification and prioritization of technical areas for improvement (investment cost, efficiency, process) at both a purchasing unit and division level to ensure targets are achieved.
• Accessory project team member representing then Purchasing Dept. as a project lead (BPL) in early development phases (initial part concept through maker layout selection).  Facilitate setting of potential RFQ suppliers, evaluating planning costs, setting realistic cost targets based on spec and current market conditions, and proposing maker layout to executive management.
• Accessory project team member representing the Purchasing Dept. as a project lead (BPL) after maker layout selection through EQ0 (first off tool build event).  Review buyer cost analysis to ensure spec changes are accurate, and confirm supplier development schedules are received, reviewed, and updated timely.  Provides updated cost and development information with project team and report cost and schedule updates to executive management at DBQ and SED evaluations. 
• Accessory project team member representing the Purchasing Dept. as a project lead (BPL) after EQ0 through In Warehouse Date (first mass production shipment).  Track and facilitate development team/management approval for all remaining GO's (texture go, material go, component go, paint go).  Confirm final cost setup and report final cost variances.  Support AHM supply team in ramp-up production plans, attending supplier meetings, and negotiating changes to ensure 100% on time delivery.

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related toolmaking/manufacturing experience.

Minimum Experience:

• 10+ years’ experience in an engineering-related role

Other job-specific skills:

• Successful completion of degree program & equivalent years of experience in industry,
• 8-10 years of Engineering, Manufacturing, or Toolmaking Experience.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Implementation of product and tooling design optimizations to support reduction and achievement of target piece costs and investment costs.
• Effectively prepare and present maker layout (CML) proposals for approval by executive management as scheduled.
• Manage supplier development schedules to ensure all major development milestones are achieved (i.e. award of business, die go approvals, on-time sample submission for EQ event, etc.).
• Investigate, propose, and implement new and improved tooling and process cost analysis tools leading to overall investment and process cost reductions for the development models.

Additional Position Factors:

• Mainly office work environment with some shop environment when reviewing vehicles.
• Some travel is required to support face-to-face meetings with Suppliers.
• Hybrid work is available.
• Overtime may be required during peak times during the development cycle.

Honda is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected factor.