Sourcing VA/VE Engineer

Position Summary

Cantrell-Gainco is seeking a hands-on Sourcing / Value Analysis and Value Engineering (VA/VE) Engineer to support strategic sourcing, supplier development, cost reduction, dual-sourcing, localization, and product resourcing initiatives. This role serves as the technical engineering partner to Strategic Sourcing, helping transition components and assemblies to new or alternate suppliers while ensuring fit, form, function, quality, safety, and performance requirements are maintained.

The engineer will work with physical parts, existing drawings, 3D models, suppliers, Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain. The role is responsible for developing technical documentation, measuring and reverse engineering components, defining critical requirements, creating qualification and test plans, evaluating samples, and supporting validation before production release.

Key Responsibilities

Resourcing and Strategic Sourcing Support

• Partner with Strategic Sourcing to execute supplier resourcing, localization, dual-source, cost-reduction, and VA/VE projects.
• Provide complete technical information for suppliers to accurately quote and manufacture components and assemblies.
• Review existing documentation to determine whether drawings, models, specifications, tolerances, materials, finishes, and testing requirements are sufficient for competitive sourcing.
• Lead supplier technical reviews and resolve questions related to manufacturability, specifications, tolerances, materials, interfaces, and product function.
• Support RFQs, supplier selection, first article review, qualification, production trials, and implementation.

Drawings, Models, and Technical Documentation

• Create, review, and revise 2D engineering drawings and 3D CAD models for sourcing and manufacturing purposes.
• Develop drawings and models from existing parts when historical documentation is incomplete or unavailable.
• Interpret and clearly document dimensions, tolerances, GD&T, materials, surface finishes, coatings, weld requirements, interfaces, and assembly requirements.
• Identify and document critical-to-quality and critical-to-function characteristics.
• Support engineering change documentation resulting from VA/VE activities or approved supplier recommendations.

Part Measurement and Reverse Engineering

• Physically measure and evaluate production components and assemblies using calipers, micrometers, height gauges, pin gauges, thread gauges, and other dimensional inspection tools.
• Reverse engineer components as needed to support resourcing and supplier qualification.
• Compare physical components to drawings and models, document discrepancies, and coordinate resolution with Engineering and Quality.
• Determine which dimensions and features are functionally critical and which may allow manufacturing flexibility.
• Coordinate advanced inspection, including CMM inspection, when required.

Validation and Test Planning

• Develop risk-based qualification and validation test plans for newly sourced, redesigned, or process-changed components.
• Define measurable acceptance criteria based on part function, application, interfaces, safety, and product requirements.
• Coordinate dimensional inspection, fit checks, functional testing, assembly trials, endurance testing, and production trials as appropriate.
• Review supplier samples, first article inspection reports, material certifications, and supporting documentation before recommending approval.
• Document test results, communicate technical concerns, and support corrective actions when samples or production parts do not meet requirements.

VA/VE and Cost Reduction

• Evaluate designs for opportunities to improve cost, manufacturability, standardization, availability, serviceability, and supplier flexibility without reducing performance or reliability.
• Collaborate with suppliers on alternative materials, manufacturing processes, tolerances, finishes, purchased components, and design approaches.
• Apply Design for Manufacturability and Assembly (DFMA) principles to cost-reduction and resourcing opportunities.
• Challenge unnecessarily restrictive specifications where commercially available solutions can provide equivalent performance.
• Provide technical analysis for make/buy, alternate-process, and alternate-supplier decisions.

Component and Manufacturing Experience

The ideal candidate will have experience with several of the following component types and processes:

• CNC-machined steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and engineered plastic components
• Turning, milling, drilling, threading, and related machining processes
• Forged and subsequently machined components
• Sheet metal, structural fabrication, weldments, and fabricated assemblies
• Mechanical assemblies and subassemblies
• Engineered polymers and plastic components
• Bearings, shafts, bushings, fasteners, and power-transmission components
• Motors, sensors, switches, cables, connectors, and other electrical components
• Pneumatic cylinders, valves, fittings, tubing, manifolds, and related assemblies

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related technical field.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in manufacturing, mechanical design, supplier engineering, sourcing engineering, product engineering, or VA/VE.
• Proficiency creating and interpreting 2D engineering drawings and 3D CAD models.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, particularly machining, fabrication, welding, and assembly.
• Working knowledge of tolerances, GD&T, materials, finishes, and manufacturing requirements.
• Hands-on experience measuring and evaluating mechanical components.
• Ability to develop practical qualification, inspection, and validation plans.
• Strong mechanical aptitude, structured problem solving, project ownership, and supplier communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple resourcing and cost-reduction projects simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in an OEM, food-processing equipment, industrial equipment, or discrete manufacturing environment.
• Experience with supplier development, supplier quality, sourcing engineering, or new supplier qualification.
• Experience with SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Inventor, Creo, or similar CAD software.
• Working knowledge of ASME Y14.5 and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing.
• Experience with first article inspection, capability reviews, and corrective action processes.
• Experience applying DFMA and formal VA/VE methodologies.
• Familiarity with electrical and pneumatic systems and components.
• Experience working with domestic and international suppliers.
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems, product lifecycle management, and engineering change processes.

Key Competencies

Mechanical aptitude

Manufacturing process knowledge

CAD and technical drawing capability

Dimensional inspection

Analytical problem solving

Supplier collaboration

Cost-conscious engineering

Attention to detail

Cross-functional communication

Project ownership and follow-through

Measures of Success

• Increase the speed and technical effectiveness of resourcing projects.
• Reduce delays caused by missing, incomplete, or unclear technical documentation.
• Successfully qualify alternate suppliers, components, and manufacturing processes.
• Improve first-pass acceptance of supplier samples and first articles.
• Reduce supply risk through improved documentation, validation, and dual sourcing.
• Identify and implement sustainable VA/VE and supplier-driven cost reductions.
• Expand the number of components that can be competitively sourced while maintaining quality, safety, reliability, and functionality.

Working Relationships

This position works closely with Strategic Sourcing, Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Production Planning, Service, and external suppliers. The role requires regular time on the manufacturing floor and in inspection or test areas. Supplier visits and limited travel may be required based on project needs.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Cantrell-Gainco is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to legally protected characteristics and in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.