Estimator, Engineering, Manufacturing Engineer

Posted Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 7:00 AM

Ascent Aerospace – Inspiring the next generation of flight!

Ascent Aerospace is a world‑renowned, single‑source provider of production and automated assembly systems for the aerospace and defense industry. We provide high‑precision advanced automated equipment as well as a full suite of both mold and assembly tooling required for the aerospace manufacturing market, including the largest Invar molds ever made— making us the largest tooling group in the industry. We work with our customers to develop their project and see it through, from process engineering to build and installation, to ensure it is an efficient and cost‑effective solution.

As a true, single‑source integrator, we have proven tools to surpass our customer expectations. We have greater control of timing and schedules, which allows for 100 % accountability, and avoids costly mark‑ups, ultimately saving our customers money. The result: a group of businesses, each an industry leader within their own discipline, now acting as one truly integrated supply base.

This role is responsible for estimating labor and material costs of manufacturing and engineering or aerospace tooling based on data submitted by prospective customers. This includes estimates based on completed designs as well as estimates based on concepts developed internally or by customers. The estimator must have a high attention to detail and be able to clearly summarize and communicate their method of developing cost to management, contract personnel, proposal coordinators, customer representatives, price auditors, vendors, and subcontractors.

This document in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying the position.

• Use models, drawings, and specification information in customer requests to determine labor, material, and outsourcing estimates for the design, manufacturing, and installation of tooling.
• Review engineering drawings, CAD models, and technical specifications to determine tooling requirements and how they will impact cost.
• Breakdown tools to develop a manufacturing plan as a means of estimating the labor hours required to complete material processing, fabrication, machining, assembly, paint, quality checks, shipping, installation, and final buy‑off.
• Organize all inputs and document the process used to develop the full cost allowing it to be referenced for future quotes.
• Coordinate and prepare large proposals with input from multiple internal and external groups.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, and procurement teams to ensure accurate estimates.
• Analyze tooling for complexity, manufacturing processes, long‑lead commercials, and production timelines to develop tooling lead times.
• Request and review vendor quotes for outsourced processes.
• Support proposal development and bid submissions.
• Identify cost risks and opportunities.
• Provide technical input during project planning and tooling design reviews.
• Utilizes inputs from sales staff and industry contacts to develop suggested pricing and bid strategy.
• Presents bids and bid strategy to leadership team for approval.
• Collaborate with Sales Team to negotiate and win POS.
• Ability to strategically prioritize estimating duties while managing multiple quotes to ensure all are submitted accurately and on time.
• Any additional duties as reasonably assigned by management.

Any combination of education and experience providing the required skill and knowledge for successful job performance will be considered. Typical qualifications would be:

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in engineering, Engineering Technology, or Industrial Management
• 3–7+ years of experience in aerospace manufacturing, tooling, or cost estimating.
• Strong ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and CAD models with an understanding of how the details of each impact cost.
• Experience in aerospace industry preferably in tooling or toolmaker experience
  • Weld fabrication
  • CNC machining
  • Assembly & build
  • Inspection
  • Composite tooling
  • Metallic tooling
  • Fixtures and jigs
  • Bond tooling
• Additive manufacturing
• Profi…