Aerospace Estimation Engineer

Kaleidoscope; St. Clair (Schuylkill County); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Kaleidoscope in Pottsville, PA is seeking an experienced Aerospace Estimation Engineer. The role focuses on estimating labor, materials, tooling, and overhead for composite/honeycomb aerospace products, supporting bids across commercial and defense sectors.

Initial onsite visit with remote work thereafter, coordinating with engineering and manufacturing teams to ensure accurate quotes. Ideal candidates have 5+ years in aerospace estimation, strong RFQ interpretation, and deep knowledge of

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in aerospace manufacturing, cost estimation, bid engineering, or quotation development.
• Hands-on experience with composite structures, honeycomb core products, prepregs, or advanced manufacturing.
• Familiarity with commercial and defense aerospace program requirements and quality standards.
• Ability to develop estimates covering labor, materials, tooling, and overhead.

Responsibilities

• Analyze RFQs, drawings, specifications to develop accurate engineering quotations.
• Interpret manufacturing considerations for aerospace composites and honeycomb programs.
• Review production methods and routings for cost implications.
• Develop labor, material, tooling, and overhead cost estimates for aerospace products.
• Support proposal preparation and bid reviews for commercial and defense opportunities.

Skills

Composite structures

Honeycomb core

Aerospace manufacturing

Cost estimation

Quotations

RFQ interpretation

Process planning

Manufacturing cost-modeling

Stakeholder collaboration

Tools

NC programming

Manufacturing routings

BOM interpretation

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Salary Range: $100,000.00 To $140,000.00 Annually

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

Job Description

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.