Composites Proposal & Estimating Engineer

iCOMAT Limited; United States; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

iCOMAT Limited is seeking a Composites Proposal & Estimating Engineer for a hybrid role based in the UK. You will turn customer requirements into credible manufacturing proposals for composite parts and assemblies, leveraging deep manufacturing knowledge to cost materials, labour, tooling and processes.

You will review RFQs and drawings, develop manufacturing approaches, and build first-pass estimates. Collaboration with Engineering, Manufacturing and Supply Chain is essential.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of composite manufacturing processes.
• Experience estimating costs for materials, labour, tooling and processes.
• Ability to develop first-pass proposals and assess risks.
• Familiar with RFQs, drawings, and customer requirements.

Responsibilities

• Review RFQs, drawings and customer requirements.
• Develop manufacturing approaches for composite parts and assemblies.
• Build estimates for material, labour, tooling, machining, assembly and bought-out items.
• Develop NRE and recurring production costs.
• Validate assumptions with Engineering, Manufacturing and Supply Chain.
• Identify manufacturing, technical and commercial risks.
• Prepare quotations and technical-commercial proposals.
• Support customer discussions and clarify requirements.
• Improve costing tools, estimating processes and proposal templates.

Skills

Composites manufacturing

RFQ & proposals

Cost estimation

Prepreg & dry-fiber

Lay-up & laminating

Autoclave processing

Tooling

Bonding & assembly

CNC trimming

BoMs & routings

Manufacturing judgement

Proposal development

Job description

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 assemblyWhat materials, tooling, labour and processes are requiredWhat the job is likely to costWhat assumptions and risks need to be consideredHow to turn that into a clear customer quotation or proposalYou 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 compositesHand lay-up and laminatingAutoclave or oven processingComposite toolingBonding and assemblyCNC trimming and machiningManufacturing routings and BoMsLabour and material estimatingLow-rate or series productionPrevious 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

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