Cost Engineer

Connect-Force; Farmington Hills (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Connect Force is partnering with an established machinery manufacturer in Farmington Hills, Michigan, to recruit a mechanically minded Cost & Estimating Engineer. You will translate customer requirements and engineering concepts into accurate estimates and compelling proposals, guiding projects from concept to production.

This on-site, full-time role offers a starting base salary of $85,000–$95,000 and opportunities to influence bid strategy, collaborate with engineering and manufacturing teams,

Qualifications

• Experience in cost engineering, estimating, or proposals for custom machinery or industrial equipment.
• Ability to interpret drawings, BOMs and customer specs to build quotes.
• Strong Excel and organized, detail-oriented approach required.

Responsibilities

• Develop cost estimates and quotations for custom machinery, tooling, equipment modifications, and related manufacturing projects.
• Review RFQs, specs, drawings, and project requirements to define scope and identify cost drivers.
• Estimate materials, purchased components, machining, fabrication, assembly, engineering hours, and outside services.
• Collaborate with engineering, controls, purchasing, production, and service teams to build complete estimates.
• Obtain and evaluate supplier quotations, lead times, and technical information.
• Prepare clear proposals outlining pricing, scope, assumptions, and exclusions.
• Identify missing information, risks, and opportunities to improve cost or manufacturability.
• Support transition from quotation to project execution so teams understand what was included.
• Compare estimated costs with actual project data to improve future quoting.

Skills

Cost engineering

Estimating

Proposal engineering

Applications engineering

Technical quoting

Excel

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Cost and Estimating Engineer

Custom Machinery | $85,000–$95,000 Starting Base Salary | Full-Time | On-Site

Confidential search managed by Connect Force

If you enjoy figuring out how a machine comes together—and what it takes to build it—this opportunity puts that knowledge to work before production even begins.

Connect Force is partnering with an established machinery manufacturer entering an exciting period of expansion. We’re seeking a mechanically minded Cost & Estimating Engineer who can turn customer requirements, engineering concepts, and manufacturing details into accurate estimates and compelling proposals.

This is an opportunity to influence new projects, work closely with engineering and manufacturing teams, and see your contributions move from an initial concept to a finished machine.

What you will do

• Develop cost estimates and quotations for custom machinery, tooling, equipment modifications, and related manufacturing projects.
• Review customer RFQs, specifications, engineering drawings, and project requirements to define scope and identify cost drivers.
• Estimate materials, purchased components, machining, fabrication, assembly, engineering hours, and outside services.
• Collaborate with mechanical engineering, controls, purchasing, production, and service teams to build complete, practical estimates.
• Obtain and evaluate supplier quotations, lead times, and technical information.
• Prepare clear proposals outlining pricing, scope, assumptions, and exclusions.
• Identify missing information, technical risks, and opportunities to improve cost or manufacturability.
• Support the transition from quotation to project execution so teams understand what was included.
• Compare estimated costs with actual project information to improve future quoting accuracy.

What makes you a strong fit

• You bring experience in cost engineering, estimating, proposal engineering, applications engineering, or technical quoting within custom machinery, machine tools, automation, tooling, or industrial equipment.
• A strong mechanical understanding of how equipment is designed, manufactured, and assembled.
• Experience preparing estimates, quotations, or technical proposals.
• The ability to interpret mechanical drawings, bills of materials, and customer specifications.
• Strong Excel skills and an organized approach to detailed work.
• Confidence communicating with engineers, suppliers, and manufacturing personnel.
• The judgment to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and identify what an estimate may be missing.
• Experience with machine building, machining, tooling, precision manufacturing, or hands‑on mechanical design is especially valuable. An engineering or technical degree is helpful; relevant practical experience will also be considered.

Why consider this opportunity

• Join during expansion: Contribute as the company takes on new opportunities and strengthens its team.
• Have a visible impact: Your work will help determine how projects are scoped, priced, and launched.
• Stay close to the machinery: Work with people who design and build the equipment you estimate.
• Build your career: Develop broader experience across estimating, applications, proposals, and project coordination as the business grows.
• Bring your ideas: Help improve the quoting process and the accuracy behind important project decisions.

Related experience is welcome

If you’re currently an Estimating Engineer, Applications Engineer, Quoting Engineer, Proposal Engineer, Manufacturing Estimator, or Mechanical Project Engineer with direct costing and quotation experience, we encourage you to apply.

Connect Force is a private, independently owned recruiting firm managing this confidential search. The employer’s identity and exact location will be discussed directly with candidates during the screening process.

Please highlight your machinery estimating, costing, quotation, or proposal experience on your resume so we can clearly understand your fit.