Estimator - Manufacturing

The Manufacturing Estimator is responsible for developing accurate, competitive, and timely cost estimates and quotations for machined components, assemblies, and custom manufacturing projects. This position requires a strong working knowledge of CNC machining processes, including CNC milling and turning, along with a thorough understanding of manufacturing costs, production methods, and shop capabilities.

Working closely with Engineering, Sales, customers, vendors, and manufacturing personnel, the Senior Manufacturing Estimator evaluates customer requirements, engineering drawings, specifications, and project scope to determine the most effective and cost-efficient manufacturing approach.

The ideal candidate has significant hands-on manufacturing knowledge, previous experience in a machine shop environment, strong estimating skills, and proficiency working with an ERP system. This individual must be comfortable working independently in a small-company environment while collaborating with multiple departments to develop accurate quotations and support successful project execution.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Review customer requests for quotation (RFQs), engineering drawings, models, specifications, and bills of material.
• Develop detailed cost estimates for CNC-machined components, assemblies, and custom manufacturing projects.
• Determine appropriate machining processes, operations, setups, tooling requirements, cycle times, labor hours, and material requirements.
• Evaluate manufacturing feasibility and identify potential challenges, risks, or cost-saving opportunities.
• Obtain and evaluate pricing from outside vendors for materials, heat treating, plating, grinding, specialty machining, and other subcontracted services.
• Prepare and submit accurate, competitive, and timely customer quotations.
• Review historical job costs and manufacturing data to improve estimating accuracy.
• Follow up on outstanding quotations and assist Sales with technical and cost-related questions.

• Apply a strong understanding of CNC milling and turning operations when developing estimates.
• Understand machine capabilities, work holding, setups, tooling, programming requirements, and machining cycle times.
• Interpret CNC programming requirements and recognize the impact of programming complexity on manufacturing costs and lead times.
• Evaluate manufacturing processes and recommend efficient machining methods and production approaches.
• Work with manufacturing personnel to validate estimated labor, setup times, and production requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve manufacturability, reduce machining time, and control production costs.

• Utilize the company's ERP system to develop and maintain estimates, cost information, routings, and bills of material as applicable.
• Maintain accurate and consistent estimating data within the ERP system.
• Review historical manufacturing costs, labor performance, material usage, and outside processing costs.
• Work with Purchasing and Production to verify material availability, vendor pricing, and manufacturing requirements.
• Support continuous improvement of estimating methods, processes, and ERP data accuracy.

• Work closely with Engineering to review designs, clarify technical requirements, evaluate manufacturability, and identify potential design or process improvements.
• Partner with Sales to understand customer requirements, quotation priorities, pricing expectations, and delivery needs.
• Communicate directly with customers to clarify drawings, specifications, quantities, tolerances, and other technical requirements.
• Coordinate with vendors and suppliers to obtain pricing, lead times, and…