Composites Proposal & Estimating Engineer

Join ICOMAT – Revolutionising the Future of Lightweight Manufacturing!iCOMAT is an advanced manufacturing company that invented Rapid Tow Shearing (RTS) - the only proven technology for producing defect-free curved-fiber composite parts at industrial scale. We deliver the lightest structures possible for aerospace, automotive, defense, and space, at a rate and cost efficiency that far exceeds existing composite production processes.

We build and operate automated factories for composite materials, delivering components to Tier 1 suppliers and OEMs. The business has three main divisions: development of automated production machines, development of software design and production tools, and operation of the factory. We work with 25+ customers and completed the largest ever Series A in composites manufacturing to fuel a significant scale-up, with growth plans that will see the business multiply in size over the next two to three years and expand operations into the UK, Europe and the US.The

business has currently more than 130,000 sqm of production capacity with manufacturing facilities in the UK (Gloucester and Swindon) and the US (Dayton, Ohio); a Hardware R&D Centre in Bristol, UK; and a Software R&D Centre in Athens, Greece.

The role

We’re looking for a Composites Proposal & Estimating Engineer to help turn customer requirements into credible, competitive manufacturing proposals.

This isn’t a traditional sales role.

We need someone who understands how composite parts are actually made and can use that knowledge to work out:

How we would manufacture a part or assembly

What materials, tooling, labour and processes are required

What the job is likely to cost

What assumptions and risks need to be considered

How to turn that into a clear customer quotation or proposal

You won’t be expected to solve every technical problem yourself, but you should have enough composites manufacturing knowledge to develop a strong first-pass solution and know when specialist engineering input is needed.

What will you be doing? Reviewing RFQs, drawings and customer requirements

Developing manufacturing approaches for composite parts and assemblies

Building estimates for material, labour, tooling, machining, assembly and bought-out items

Developing NRE and recurring production costs

Working with Engineering, Manufacturing and Supply Chain to validate assumptions

Identifying manufacturing, technical and commercial risks

Preparing quotations and technical-commercial proposals

Supporting customer discussions and clarifying requirements

Improving our costing tools, estimating processes and proposal templates

What do we need from you?

The most important thing is a good understanding of composite manufacturing.

You may already be working as a:

Composites Manufacturing Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Production Engineer, Estimating Engineer, Project Engineer, NPI Engineer or experienced composites manufacturing professional.

Experience across some of the following would be particularly useful:

Prepreg and/or dry-fibre composites

Hand lay-up and laminating

Autoclave or oven processing

Composite tooling

Bonding and assemblyCNC trimming and machining

Manufacturing routings and Bo Ms Labour  and material estimating

Low-rate or series production

Previous Business Development or proposal experience is useful, but it isn’t essential.

We’re more interested in someone with strong manufacturing judgement who can develop the commercial and proposal side of their career.

Working conditions:

This is a hybrid role, not a fully remote position.

Regular time at our Gloucester and Swindon facilities is important, as the role involves working closely with the teams actually developing and manufacturing the products we quote.

For someone coming from a manufacturing…