Aerospace Estimation Engineer

Kaleidoscope Innovation; St. Clair (Schuylkill County); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Kaleidoscope Innovation in Pottsville, PA is seeking an experienced Aerospace Estimation Engineer to develop labor, material, tooling and overhead cost estimates for composite and honeycomb products used in commercial, defense, and space programs. This role analyzes RFQs and drawings, and collaborates with engineering and manufacturing teams to ensure accurate quotes.

The position supports proposals and bid reviews, with initial onsite visits required and a predominantly remote work arrangement

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in aerospace manufacturing, cost estimation, bid engineering, or quotation development.
• Experience with composite structures, honeycomb core products, prepregs, or advanced manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with commercial and defense aerospace program requirements, quality standards, and compliance expectations.
• Ability to develop estimates covering labor, materials, tooling, machine utilization, process time, and overhead.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify cost drivers and manufacturability constraints.

Responsibilities

• Analyze RFQs, engineering drawings, specifications to develop accurate quotations.
• Interpret technical requirements for aerospace composites, honeycomb, and related programs.
• Review production methods, routings, and process plans for composite structures.
• Assess fabrication, machining, core forming, trimming, assembly to identify cost drivers.
• Prepare cost models for material, labor, tooling, and overhead for aerospace products.
• Support proposal preparation, bid reviews, and quotation submissions.

Skills

Cost estimation

RFQ interpretation

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

Communications

Tools

NC programming concepts

Job description

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Job Description

Aerospace Estimation Engineer – Composite Structures & Honeycomb Products

Location: Pottsville, Pennsylvania, USA (Initial Onsite Visit Required; Primarily Remote Thereafter)

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Aerospace Estimation Engineer with hands-on experience in composite structures, honeycomb core products, aerospace manufacturing processes, and cost estimation/quoting activities within commercial and defense aerospace sectors to support engineering estimating and quotation activities for a leading aerospace composites manufacturer based in Pottsville, PA. The role will support bidding, proposal development, cost estimation, and manufacturing assessments across a diverse portfolio including – Commercial, Defense and Emerging Aviation platforms.

The successful candidate will work closely with the client's Engineering Manager and cross-functional manufacturing teams to develop accurate labor, material, tooling, and manufacturing cost estimates for composite and honeycomb-based products.

Industry Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in aerospace manufacturing, manufacturing engineering, cost estimation, bid engineering, or quotation development.
• Hands-on experience with aerospace composite structures, honeycomb core products, prepreg materials, or advanced manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with commercial and defense aerospace program requirements, quality standards, and compliance expectations.
• Proven ability to develop estimates covering labor, materials, tooling, machine utilization, process time, and manufacturing overhead.
• Strong knowledge of composite manufacturing processes, including prepreg handling, layup, tooling, curing, trimming, machining, forming, and assembly.
• Experience assessing honeycomb core forming, shaping, machining, fabrication, and production routing methods.

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of composite structures, honeycomb core products, prepreg materials, and aerospace manufacturing processes.
• Proficiency in interpreting RFQs, engineering drawings, specifications, bills of material, and manufacturing requirements.
• Practical knowledge of core forming, layup, curing, machining, trimming, fabrication, assembly, and inspection processes.
• Experience developing labor, material, tooling, machine, and overhead cost estimates for aerospace products.
• Working familiarity with NC programming concepts, manufacturing routings, tooling, process planning, and resource loading.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify cost drivers, production risks, and manufacturability constraints.
• Effective communication and stakeholder collaboration skills across engineering, manufacturing, operations, supply chain, and business teams.
• Ability to standardize estimating assumptions, templates, methods, and lessons learned to improve quote quality and turnaround time.

Key Responsibilities: Summary of Responsibilities & Skills

• Analyze customer RFQs, engineering drawings, specifications, and technical requirements to develop accurate engineering quotations.
• Interpret technical requirements and manufacturing considerations for aerospace composites, honeycomb, commercial, defense, space, and emerging aviation programs.
• Review production methods, manufacturing routings, and process plans for composite and honeycomb structures.
• Assess fabrication, machining, core forming, trimming, assembly, and other manufacturing operations to identify key cost drivers and manufacturability considerations.
• Apply aerospace cost-estimation principles and manufacturing cost-modeling methodologies to quotation activities.
• Estimate labor requirements, process cycle times, tooling needs, machine utilization, and manufacturing resources required for production.
• Develop detailed cost models covering material, labor, tooling, machine utilization, and manufacturing overheads.
• Prepare cost estimates and engineering quotations for aerospace composite products and assemblies.
• Support proposal preparation, bid reviews, and quotation submissions for commercial and defense aerospace opportunities.
• Participate in technical reviews, customer proposal discussions, and cross-functional decision-making activities.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, operations, and business teams to improve estimating accuracy, consistency, and responsiveness.
• Leverage knowledge of NC programming concepts, tooling, process planning, and aerospace manufacturing operations to enhance estimate quality and manufacturability assessments.
• Establish scalable estimating methodologies, standards, templates, and best practices to support future growth and operational efficiency.