Manufacturing Quote Estimator

Forge Automation (YC W25); Toronto; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Forge Automation is seeking a Manufacturing Estimator to own our quoting process. You’ll decide which RFQs to pursue, figure out how to manufacture each part, and keep customers informed throughout quoting and production.

This role emphasizes manufacturing knowledge, attention to detail, and clear communication. Prior estimating experience isn’t required, but familiarity with CNC machining, CAM, or manufacturing engineering is a plus.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of machining or manufacturing.
• Ability to read and understand engineering drawings.
• Very detail-oriented and organized.
• Patient and methodical when solving technical problems.
• Comfortable making decisions independently.
• Curious about how things are made.
• Experience in CNC machining, CNC programming, manufacturing engineering, or related field is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Review incoming RFQs and decide whether to pursue them.
• Read engineering drawings and extract information to quote and manufacture.
• Determine manufacturing approaches, setups, and orientations.
• Identify DFM issues and communicate them to customers.
• Own customer communication related to RFQs and orders.
• Produce accurate quotes quickly.
• Decline jobs that don’t make sense for Forge.
• Improve quoting processes and build better systems.
• Learn other shop areas when quoting volume is low (potentially CAM/CNC).

Skills

Manufacturing understanding

Reading drawings

Detail-oriented

Communicator

Independent decision-making

Process improvement

Curious about manufacturing

Tools

CAD

CAM

Job description

Forge builds automated CNC factories that enable mechanical engineers to go from CAD to physical part 2x faster than anyone else. We've been running factories for 2 years and have shipped thousands of parts to engineers across North America, including some of the biggest tech companies in the world.

About the role

About Forge:

Forge builds automated CNC factories that enable mechanical engineers to go from CAD to physical part 2x faster than anyone else. We've been running factories for 2 years and have shipped thousands of parts to engineers across North America, including some of the biggest tech companies in the world.

About the Role:

We're looking for a Manufacturing Estimator to own our quoting process.

You’ll be responsible for deciding which jobs we should take, figuring out how we should manufacture them, and communicating with customers throughout the quoting and production process.

This is a technical role, but you don't need years of estimating experience. We're looking for someone with a good understanding of manufacturing who is detail-oriented, patient, and a strong communicator.

You’ll be responsible for:

• Reviewing incoming RFQs and deciding whether we should take them
• Reading engineering drawings and extracting the information needed to quote and manufacture a part
• Determining how we should manufacture each part, including setups and orientations
• Identifying DFM issues and communicating them to customers
• Owning customer communication related to RFQs and existing orders
• Producing accurate quotes quickly
• Having full authority to decline jobs that don't make sense for Forge
• Improving our quoting process and building better systems around it
• Learning other parts of the shop when quoting volume is low, potentially including CAM and CNC Machining

You’ll work closely with our machinists, engineers, and operations team and will have a direct impact on what work enters the shop and how profitably we manufacture it.

What we want to see

• Strong understanding of machining or manufacturing
• Ability to read and understand engineering drawings
• Very detail-oriented and organized
• Patient and methodical when working through technical problems
• Comfortable making decisions independently
• Naturally curious and interested in how things are made
• Ability to identify problems and improve processes without being told exactly what to do

Previous estimating experience is not required . Experience in CNC machining, CNC programming, manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, or a similar field is a plus.

CAD/CAM experience is also a plus, but not required.

Compensation

$55,000-$70,000 CAD , depending on experience.