Aerospace Estimator / Project Manager

Optima UK Inc Ltd; Coventry; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Optima UK Inc Ltd is recruiting an Aerospace Estimator / Project Manager to join our Coventry-based aerospace manufacturing team. The role is estimator-led, translating RFQs into accurate, commercially viable quotations and then owning projects from award to delivery.

You will review customer drawings and specifications, develop labour, tooling and subcontract costings, and work with Manufacturing Engineering and Operations to fix routes, times and costs.

Qualifications

• Proven experience estimating within aero-engine / aerospace manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of aerospace manufacturing processes, particularly precision machining and metallic components.
• Experience interpreting engineering drawings, specifications and RFQs.
• Experience producing detailed manufacturing cost estimates and quotations.
• Ability to translate manufacturing processes into accurate labour, machine, tooling and subcontract costs.
• Experience taking projects from quotation/order stage through to delivery.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of project costs and margins.
• Excellent communication skills with customers, suppliers and internal departments.
• Strong Microsoft Excel and general IT skills.
• Hands-on approach working with engineering and production teams.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.

Responsibilities

• Review and interpret customer RFQs, drawings, specifications and technical requirements.
• Produce detailed and accurate cost estimates for aerospace engine components and assemblies.
• Develop costings covering labour, machining, materials, tooling, fixtures, subcontract operations and engineering activities.
• Work closely with Manufacturing Engineering and Operations to establish manufacturing routes, processes, times and costs.
• Obtain and assess supplier and subcontractor quotations, lead times and capabilities.
• Liaise directly with customers to clarify requirements and support the development of quotations.
• Ensure quotations are commercially competitive while maintaining appropriate margins and considering manufacturing risk.
• Present and discuss estimates internally, supporting commercial and technical reviews where required.
• Once an order is secured, take ownership of the project and manage it through to completion.
• Coordinate Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Procurement and other internal functions to ensure projects remain on track.
• Monitor project costs, timings, risks and customer requirements throughout delivery.
• Manage changes to scope, costs and timescales and communicate these effectively to relevant stakeholders.
• Maintain regular customer communication and provide updates on project progress.
• Support continuous improvement of estimating, costing and project management processes.

Skills

Aero-engine estimating

Aerospace manufacturing

Reading drawings & RFQs

Costing & labour/ tooling

Project delivery

Commercial awareness

Customer/supplier comms

Excel & IT

Organisational skills

Tools

Excel

Job description

Aerospace Estimator / Project Manager - Aero Engines

Location: Coventry

Commutable from: Coventry, Kenilworth, Warwick, Leamington Spa, Rugby and surrounding areas

Salary: £50,000 - £65,000 (DOE)

Working hours: Full-time, permanent

About the Company

Our client is a leading engineering and manufacturing organisation specialising in complex metallic components for the aerospace sector. Serving both commercial and military aerospace markets, they provide high-precision manufacturing solutions and support customers globally through advanced engineering, fabrication, machining and supply chain capabilities.

About the Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Aerospace Estimator / Project Manager to join a growing aerospace manufacturing business.

The role will be estimator-led, with responsibility for interpreting customer requirements, developing accurate and commercially viable quotations, and working closely with engineering and manufacturing teams to establish the most effective production route.

Once work is secured, you will then take ownership of the project through to delivery, coordinating internal departments, monitoring costs, timescales and technical requirements, and acting as a key point of contact for the customer.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone with a strong aero-engine manufacturing background who understands both the commercial side of estimating and the practical realities of taking aerospace manufacturing projects through the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Review and interpret customer RFQs, drawings, specifications and technical requirements.
• Produce detailed and accurate cost estimates for aerospace engine components and assemblies.
• Develop costings covering labour, machining, materials, tooling, fixtures, subcontract operations and engineering activities.
• Work closely with Manufacturing Engineering and Operations to establish manufacturing routes, processes, times and costs.
• Obtain and assess supplier and subcontractor quotations, lead times and capabilities.
• Liaise directly with customers to clarify requirements and support the development of quotations.
• Ensure quotations are commercially competitive while maintaining appropriate margins and considering manufacturing risk.
• Present and discuss estimates internally, supporting commercial and technical reviews where required.
• Once an order is secured, take ownership of the project and manage it through to completion.
• Coordinate Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Procurement and other internal functions to ensure projects remain on track.
• Monitor project costs, timings, risks and customer requirements throughout delivery.
• Manage changes to scope, costs and timescales and communicate these effectively to relevant stakeholders.
• Maintain regular customer communication and provide updates on project progress.
• Support continuous improvement of estimating, costing and project management processes.

About You

AERO-ENGINE EXPERIENCE IS ESSENTIAL.

We are looking for someone who has worked within an aero-engine manufacturing environment, with a strong understanding of aerospace metallic components and the processes involved in producing them.

• Proven experience in estimating within an aero-engine / aerospace manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of aerospace manufacturing processes, particularly precision machining and metallic components.
• Experience interpreting engineering drawings, specifications and customer RFQs.
• Experience producing detailed manufacturing cost estimates and quotations.
• The ability to understand manufacturing processes and translate these into accurate labour, machine, tooling and subcontract costs.
• Experience taking projects from quotation/order stage through to delivery.
• Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of project costs and margins.
• Excellent communication skills when dealing with customers, suppliers and internal departments.
• Strong Microsoft Excel and general IT skills.
• A practical, hands-on approach with the ability to work closely with engineering and production teams.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.