Composites Proposal & Estimating Engineer

ICOMAT; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Private healthcare

Pension scheme

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

iCOMAT in the United Kingdom is seeking a Composites Proposal & Estimating Engineer to translate customer needs into credible manufacturing proposals. This role focuses on how parts are made, required materials, tooling, labour and processes, and costing.

You will develop first-pass solutions, validate assumptions with Engineering, Manufacturing and Supply Chain, and prepare quotations and proposals for customers in aerospace, automotive, and defense sectors.

Qualifications

• Solid understanding of composite manufacturing.
• Experience in estimating and preparing quotations.
• Hybrid role with regular site presence at UK facilities.

Responsibilities

• Review RFQs, drawings and customer requirements.
• Develop manufacturing approaches for composite parts and assemblies.
• Build estimates for material, labour, tooling, machining and bought-out items.
• Develop NRE and recurring production costs.
• Work with Engineering, Manufacturing and Supply Chain to validate assumptions.
• Prepare quotations and technical-commercial proposals.

Skills

Composites manufacturing knowledge

Manufacturing judgement

Proposal experience

NRE cost estimation

Tools

Costing tools

Job description

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 assembly
• CNC trimming and machining
• Manufacturing routings and BoMs
• 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 or engineering background, this is a great opportunity to move closer to customers, commercial decision-making and business development while staying connected to the technical side of advanced composites.

Our Values: Uncompromising Excellence

• Discipline over excuses. We commit. We follow through. We hold ourselves and each other to the highest standard, especially when the pressure is on.
• Push the edge. iCOMAT was built on a refusal to accept that curved fiber could not be manufactured at scale. We innovate where others hesitate.
• Aligned and accountable. Everyone owns their lane, communicates openly, and delivers without being chased. No silos. No ambiguity.

Why iCOMAT?

• Competitive Salary & Benefits: We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including private healthcare, pension scheme.
• Stock Options: Equity options to give employees a stake in the company’s success
• Career Growth Opportunities: Join us at a pivotal time as we scale up, offering unmatched professional growth opportunities in the rapidly advancing field of composite materials.
• Innovation-Focused Culture: We pride ourselves on our inclusive, forward-thinking work environment. Recognized by Bloomberg as a "UK Startup to Watch," iCOMAT celebrates diversity and encourages all applicants, regardless of background, to apply.
• Global Impact: Be a part of our mission to redefine lightweight structures for the automotive, aerospace, and space industries, working with some of the most influential companies worldwide.Ready to be part of something big?