Job Summary

Job Description

The Value Analysis Engineer analyzes product designs, manufacturing processes, and materials to optimize cost, performance, and quality. This role focuses on identifying cost-saving opportunities while maintaining or improving functionality, durability, and sustainability. The engineer collaborates with R&D, Procurement, Manufacturing, and Supplier Teams to implement innovative solutions. Responsibilities include analyzing product designs for cost reduction, assessing the impact of design changes on product lifecycle cost, leading VA workshops, identifying and eliminating non-value-added features, working with cross-functional teams to assess alternatives, conducting benchmarking, optimizing assembly processes, implementing DFM/DFT/DFA principles, and reporting VA initiatives to senior management. The ideal candidate will have 3-7 years of experience in VA Engineering, Cost Engineering, or Manufacturing Engineering, strong knowledge of VA principles and Lean Six Sigma, and experience with DFM/DFA/DFT.

Must have:

3-7 years VA/Cost/Manufacturing Engineering experience
Design optimization, cost analysis, process improvement
Cost modeling, "Should-Cost" analysis, TCO
ERP systems, supplier negotiations
VA principles, Lean Six Sigma
DFM/DFA/DFT, technical drawing interpretation
Problem-solving, analytical, negotiation skills
Excellent communication (English & German), teamwork

Good to have:

Electronics, automotive, aerospace, or industrial manufacturing experience
Knowledge of manufacturing processes (injection molding, etc.)

Perks:

Global Teamwork
Flexible Working (up to 5 days remote)
Workation (up to 30 days/year)
30 days paid leave + additional days off
toniecation days (up to 10 unpaid leave days)
Deutschlandticket/parking/bicycle/remote work subsidy
Company pension plan subsidies
Continuous Learning & individual learning budget
Babbel & Calm app access
Tonies product discounts

6 skills required

6 skills required for this role

Add these skills to join the top 1% applicants for this job

communication

budget-management

innovation

cross-functional

talent-acquisition

team-management

Job Details

About tonies:

tonies is the world’s largest interactive audio platform for children with around 8 million Tonieboxes and more than 100 million Tonies figurines sold. The intuitive and award-winning audio system has changed the way young children play and learn independently with its child-safe, wireless, and screen-free approach. As the original category creator in interactive audio for children, tonies stands apart in its pioneering approach and market leadership.

Tonieboxes have been activated in over 100 countries, the content portfolio includes more than 1,100 Tonies figurines in several languages. Since its inception, tonies has achieved significant milestones, including listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in November 2021 as well as a globally present team of over 550 dedicated professionals operating from various countries.

Joining our tonies team means being part of an inspiring mission to create innovative and meaningful experiences for children around the world. Together, we’re shaping the future of play, learning, and imagination.

You as part of tonies:

As Value Analysis Engineer (all genders) you are responsible for analyzing product designs, manufacturing processes, and material selections to optimize cost, performance, and quality. This role focuses on identifying cost-saving opportunities while maintaining or improving functionality, durability, and sustainability. The engineer collaborates with R&D, Procurement, Manufacturing, and Supplier Teams to implement innovative solutions that drive efficiency and profitability.

Joining us, you’ll have the unique opportunity to shape the future of how we partner with world-class suppliers in one of the most exciting and creative areas of our business. Your expertise will drive impactful campaigns, optimize resources, and elevate our marketing initiatives on a global scale. Together, we’ll optimize performance, foster innovation, and set new standards in procurement excellence.

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

Analyze existing and new product designs to identify opportunities for cost reduction without compromising quality or performance
Assess the impact of design changes on product lifecycle cost (Total Cost of Ownership - TCO)
Lead VA workshops and cost-reduction events with cross-functional teams
Identify and eliminate non-value-added (NVA) features in products to enhance profitability
Work with cross-functional teams (Engineering, Procurement, Supply Chain) to assess alternative materials, components, and manufacturing processes
Conduct benchmarking to compare product costs against industry standards and competitors
Optimize assembly processes, tooling, and production layouts for efficiency gains
Implement DFM (Design for Manufacturability), DFT (Design for Test) and DFA (Design for Assembly) principles to minimize labor and material costs
Report VA initiatives and savings achievements to senior management
Benchmark new technologies and support their implementation into Tonies products

What we are looking for:

3-7 years of experience in VA Engineering, Cost Engineering, or Manufacturing Engineering
Hands-on experience in design optimization, cost analysis, and process improvement
Familiarity with cost modeling (tools), "Should-Cost" analysis, and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
Experience with ERP systems and supplier negotiations
Strong knowledge of VA principles and Lean Six Sigma techniques
Experience with DFM/DFA/DFT (Design for Manufacturing, Assembly & Test)
Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and material specifications
Strong problem-solving, analytical, and negotiation skills
Excellent communication skills (English & German) as well as strong sense for teamwork
Willingness to travel to global suppliers

A Plus but not a must:

Experience in industries such as electronics, automotive, aerospace, or industrial manufacturing
Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes such as plastic injection molding, metal stamping, die casting, machining, and electronics assembly

Why tonies?

Global Teamwork: We collaborate across departmental and country borders on our vision to bring the Toniebox into every child's room in the world.
Come as you are: This applies not only to the dress code but also to everything else. Because only where you truly feel comfortable can you give your best.
Mobility: Choose the option that suits you best - a Deutschlandticket (public transport ticket) for unlimited mobility, a monthly contribution for an office parking space, a leasing bicycle, or a remote work subsidy.
Enhanced Security: Benefit from subsidies for company pension plans, occupational pension schemes, and occupational disability insurance.
Rest & Time Off: Enjoy 30 days of paid annual leave as well as three additional days off such as Rosenmontag, Christmas Eve, and New Year's Eve. After one year of employment, you can also use up to 10 "toniecation days" (unpaid leave days).
Flexible Working: Equipped with individual equipment, you can work remotely for up to 5 days in consultation with your team - depending on your area of responsibility. And if you're up for a workation, you can work from abroad for up to 30 calendar days per year.
Continuous Learning: Benefit from our internal and external training opportunities as well as an individual learning budget to continuously expand your knowledge.
Language Learning & Relaxation: Improve your communication skills with the language learning app Babbel and find relaxation through our access to the meditation app Calm.
Discounts: Benefit from attractive discounts on our entire range of tonies products.

Good to know:

As part of our principles, we are committed to supporting inclusion and diversity at tonies®. We actively celebrate our colleagues’ different abilities, ethnicities, faith and gender. Everyone is welcome and supported in their development at all stages in their journey with us.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Sabine Schykowski
Recruiting & Onboarding Partner

Apply for this job