Senior Aerospace Estimation Engineer

Duration:
Direct-Hire/ Full-Time

JOB DESCRIPTION:

• Looking for a Senior Estimation Engineer who can turn a customer print into an accurate, defensible, and competitive quote, fast.
• You will own the cost model behind every RFQ that comes through Client, from raw material and cycle time to tooling, setup, and outside processing.
• This role sits at the intersection of engineering, operations, and sales, and directly shapes which jobs we win and whether we make money on them.
• You will report to operations and commercial leadership, with regular visibility to the CEO on pricing strategy and win/loss trends.

Responsibilities:

• RFQ Cost Modeling:
  Build detailed cost estimates from customer prints and specs, covering material, cycle time, tooling, setup, inspection, and outside processing.
• Process and Cycle Time Analysis:
  Apply process knowledge across milling, turning, and multi-axis machining to estimate realistic cycle times, not best-case guesses.
• Should-Cost Modeling:
  Build should-cost models for existing competitor parts, and use them to negotiate margin, defend pricing, and identify cost-reduction opportunities.
• Quote Turnaround:
  Work directly with sales and program management to turn around competitive quotes on tight customer timelines without sacrificing accuracy.
• Estimate Accuracy and Feedback Loop:
  Track quoted cost versus actual shop cost on won jobs, and feed that data back into the estimating model so it gets sharper over time.
• Capacity and Make/Buy Input:
  Factor current shop loading and equipment availability into lead time and pricing decisions on new quotes.
• Design for Manufacturability Input:
  Partner with engineering on manufacturability feedback during the quoting stage, catching cost drivers before they become production problems.
• Estimating Systems and Standards:
  Maintain and improve the rate tables, labor standards, and cost models used across the estimating function.

Requirements:

• 5+ years of cost estimating or manufacturing engineering experience in aerospace, defense, or another precision machining environment.
• Strong blueprint reading and GD&T interpretation; ability to read a print and see the cost drivers immediately.
• Hands-on knowledge of CNC milling and turning processes, tooling selection, and realistic cycle time calculation.
• Experience with ERP or costing software (Job Boss, Paperless Parts or equivalent) and comfort building or refining cost models in Excel.
• A track record of quotes that hold up: estimates that match what happens on the shop floor, not just what wins the bid.
• Comfortable pushing back on sales or customers when a target price does not match the real cost of the work.
• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering preferred; equivalent shopfloor and estimating experience will be considered.
• Experience with ITAR-controlled programs and AS9100 quoting requirements a plus.