Costing & Estimating Engineer

About the Role:

The Costing and Estimating Engineer plays a critical role in supporting the sales and proposals process by developing accurate, timely, and competitive cost estimates for new business opportunities. This position combines technical knowledge of manufacturing processes with strong analytical and financial skills to prepare quotations that drive profitability and align with customer requirements. The ideal candidate will collaborate closely with Sales, Engineering, and Operations teams to ensure accurate pricing, process alignment, and consistency in cost modeling.

• Develop detailed cost estimates and quotations for new products and customer proposals, including labor, materials, tooling, and overhead.
• Analyze engineering drawings, specifications, and customer requirements to build accurate cost models.
• Collaborate with Sales and Engineering during the quoting phase to determine manufacturing feasibility, lead times, and resource requirements.
• Maintain and update standard costing data within ERP systems to support accurate quoting and pricing.
• Evaluate supplier quotes and material costs to ensure competitiveness and profitability.
• Work with Production and Procurement to validate manufacturing methods and cost assumptions.
• Identify cost drivers, risks, and opportunities for cost savings during the proposal process.
• Track and analyze variances between estimated and actual costs to improve future quoting accuracy.
• Prepare and present cost breakdowns and justifications to management and sales teams.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives in estimating accuracy, cost modeling, and quoting efficiency.

• Bachelors degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience in cost estimating, manufacturing engineering, or related fields.
• Strong background in quoting and estimating for manufacturing or fabrication environments.
• Proficiency in ERP systems (such as Syteline) and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Excellent understanding of manufacturing processes such as machining, assembly, metal fabrication, and finishing.
• Strong analytical, mathematical, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple quotes and priorities simultaneously.
• Detail-oriented and highly organized, with strong time management and problem-solving abilities.

• Experience supporting sales and proposal teams in a manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing and cost optimization strategies.
• Experience preparing technical quotations for OEM or contract manufacturing projects.
• Proficiency with CAD software (e.g., Solid Works) for interpretation of engineering drawings.
• Demonstrated success improving estimating accuracy and quotation response time.