Applications Engineering and Estimating Manager

Indelco Plastics Corporation; Saint Louis Park (MN); On-site; USD 140,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership

Comprehensive benefits

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Indelco Plastics is seeking a leader to marshal centralized Applications Engineering and Estimating across our distribution and fabrication operations in the United States. You will qualify opportunities, engineer solutions, and price complex work faster and more accurately than competitors.

This is a builder role with a national platform, reporting into Flow Control Group, and driving AI-enabled capacity across 23 branches and 7 fabrication sites.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree or equivalent technical fluency in fluid handling or process piping.
• Experience with thermoplastics fabrication, welding, and CNC machining.
• Ability to design or rebuild operational workflows and drive manufacturing improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead centralized applications engineering and estimating for distribution and fabrication.
• Own RFQ qualification, specification reviews, and quoting processes.
• Drive design-for-manufacturing input across tooling decisions and tolerance reviews.
• Build and lead the national estimating function and standardize estimating logic.
• Lead and develop the applications engineering and estimating team; enable AI-driven capacity.

Skills

AI fluency

Process builder

Coachable mindset

Software proficiency

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

CNC machining

Fusion welding tech

Microsoft Office

Workflow tools

Drawing/design tools

Supply chain platforms

Job description

About Us

Join Indelco Plastics, where innovation, sustainability, and community thrive! As the leading supplier of corrosion-resistant thermoplastic products for fluid control and storage, we are seeking talented individuals to join our team. With 13 locations across the Midwest and representing over 70 industry-leading manufacturers, we offer unparalleled opportunities for growth and impact. Experience a supportive and inclusive environment, continuous professional development, and a commitment to work-life balance. Join us at Indelco and be part of shaping the future while making a difference.

Company: Indelco Plastics

Website: www.indelco.com

Role Summary

Lead Indelco’s centralized applications engineering and estimating function, supporting both distribution sales (~23 branches, 5 brands) and fabrication operations (7 fabrication sites). This is a builder role: the mission is to establish a unified national capability that qualifies opportunities, engineers solutions, and prices complex work faster and more accurately than any competitor.

Core Responsibilities

Applications Engineering—Distribution

• Lead technical support for customer applications: material selection, chemical compatibility, equipment selection (i.e. pump sizing, valve type), and part selection across corrosion-resistant thermoplastics and metals product sets
• Serve as escalation point for branch sales on complex application questions across core end markets: water/wastewater, chemical processing, semiconductor/UPW, pharma/life sciences, and data center.

Applications Engineering—Fabrication

• Own opportunity qualification for complex assembly and spool fabrication work.
• Own the specification review gate at the RFQ stage - no complex quote releases without documented specification review.
• Drive design-for-manufacturing input on fabrication opportunities: joint method selection (IR fusion, butt fusion, socket fusion, solvent cement, hot air/extrusion welding), machining scope (CNC milling/turning), and tolerance and compliance review (ASME B31.3, SEMI F57/F63, USP ).

Estimating

• Build and run the centralized estimating function as a national capability serving all fabrication sites, with direct management of estimating staff.
• Own the RFQ-to-quote pipeline end to end: intake, triage, technical review, estimate development, and quote release.
• Develop standardized estimating logic for spool fabrication
• Establish estimating standards, win/loss discipline, and cycle-time metrics.

Team Leadership

• Lead, develop, and grow the applications engineering and estimating team; build the hiring plan as volume scales.
• Deploy AI and software tools to expand team capacity

What We’re Looking For

• Engineering degree or equivalent deep technical fluency in fluid handling, corrosion-resistant materials, or process piping.
• Working familiarity with industrial fabrication and value-add operations: thermoplastic fusion joining, hot air welding, process piping, and CNC machining.
• Strong software competency: Microsoft Office suite, workflow and project management tools, digital design, drawing intelligence, and supply chain platforms.
• Demonstrated AI fluency: has personally used AI tools to change how work gets done, not just aware they exist.
• Strong process builder: has designed or rebuilt an operational workflow, not just run one.
• Coachable, hungry, and change-oriented — wants to build something, not inherit something.

This is not a role for maintaining the status quo. Indelco is entering its next stage of growth, and this function is central to it. The right candidate sees a national platform being built and wants to be the one who builds this piece of it.

Indelco operates as a vital subsidiary within Flow Control Group (FCG), a prominent holdings company that is a leading solutions provider focused on technically oriented products and services for flow control, fluid handling and process, industrial automation, and life sciences with locations throughout North America. As a critical intermediary between over 3,000 suppliers and 15,000 customers, over 90 brand companies, and close to 1,700 employees, FCG’s distribution and technical expertise serve an essential function in the movement of mission-critical components to a diverse array of end markets and applications.

Why Build a Career with Us?

• Everyone’s an Owner of the Company: Because every team member contributes to Flow Control Group’s success, everyone has the benefits of ownership! Flow Control Group has a broad-based employee ownership program extended to every employee within our portfolio companies.
• Competitive Benefits: Enjoy an attractive benefits package that includes Medical, Dental and Vision insurance (among other plans), competitive 401(k) matching program, career growth opportunities, employee referral program, paid time off and holidays, as well as parental leave.
• Training: FCG University learning and training platform available to all employees offering over 80k courses.
• Career Growth Opportunities: At Flow Control Group, we are committed to your professional development. With a vast network of over 100 brands across North America, we provide unparalleled opportunities for growth and advancement. Whether you're just starting your career or looking to take it to the next level, we offer custom training programs, mentorship, and a supportive environment to help you achieve your goals. Join us and be part of a dynamic team where your contributions make a real impact.
• Equal Opportunity Employer: Flow Control Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or any other legally protected characteristics.