Cost Estimator, Senior (Aerospace & Defense) (1299)

CDI Products; Humble (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

CDI Products in Humble, TX seeks a Senior Cost Estimator to develop accurate manufacturing cost estimates for aerospace & defense opportunities. You will analyze drawings, materials, processes, and overhead to prepare competitive quotations.

The role requires strong cost knowledge, mentoring teammates, and cross-functional collaboration across Engineering, Quality, Operations, Sourcing, and Commercial teams. Experience with ITAR and AS9100 is a plus.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in manufacturing cost estimating.
• Experience with aerospace & defense programs preferred.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and manufacturing documentation.
• Strong proficiency with Excel and ERP/MMS systems.
• Experience mentoring colleagues and leading process improvements.

Responsibilities

• Develop accurate, documented cost estimates for new/modified products.
• Analyze drawings, BOMs, materials, processes to determine costs.
• Account for materials, labor, tooling, outside processing, overhead.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Operations, Sourcing, and Finance.
• Mentor estimators and improve estimating processes.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Cost Estimation

Analytical skills

Documentation

Cross-functional collaboration

ERP systems

Oracle ERP

Paperless Parts

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Associate's degree in Engineering

Tools

Oracle ERP

Paperless Parts

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Cost Estimator, Senior (Aerospace & Defense) (1299)# Cost Estimator, Senior (Aerospace & Defense) (1299)Hot Job8103 Rankin Rd - Humble, TX 77396## OverviewPosition TypeFull TimeJob ShiftAM ShiftEducation Level2 Year DegreeTravel PercentageNoneCategoryProfessional Services## Description**COMPANY SUMMARY:** CDI Products, a Michelin Group Company, is a global leader in high-performance polymer products, wear components, and functional parts. With locations across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, we deliver fully integrated solutions from raw materials to finished products through in-house engineering and material development capabilities. Serving industries such as Aerospace, Automotive, Energy, Medical, Semiconductor, and Water Treatment, our materials and products are expertly engineered and tested on-site. Our team is committed to innovation and excellence in delivering cutting-edge solutions around the globe. **JOB SUMMARY:**to develop accurate, competitive manufacturing cost estimates across CDI’s engineered sealing and polymer product portfolio. This role will serve as a senior technical resource, primarily supporting Aerospace & Defense opportunities while assisting with Energy and other industrial markets. The position requires strong manufacturing cost knowledge, technical expertise, independent judgment, and the ability to mentor colleagues and improve estimating processes without direct supervisory responsibilities. **ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:****1. Cost Estimating & Quotation Development*** Develop accurate, documented manufacturing cost estimates for new, modified, and existing products.* Analyze customer drawings, specifications, BOMs, materials, and manufacturing processes to determine cost requirements.* Calculate material, labor, machine time, tooling, outside processing, inspection, scrap, and applicable overhead costs.* Document estimating assumptions, risks, and technical requirements while supporting timely and accurate quotations.**2. Aerospace & Defense Estimating*** Serve as the primary estimating resource for assigned Aerospace & Defense opportunities.* Interpret technical drawings, material specifications, inspection requirements, traceability, and customer-specific quality requirements.* Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Product Management to assess manufacturing feasibility and specialized processing needs.* Account for applicable aerospace quality, certification, documentation, and ITAR considerations in cost development.**3. Supplier & Approved Vendor Coordination*** Support the development and maintenance of CDI's Aerospace & Defense Approved Vendor List (AVL).* Partner with Strategic Sourcing and Quality to identify qualified suppliers and validate pricing, lead times, and sourcing requirements.* Identify supplier capability gaps and coordinate with appropriate teams regarding supplier approvals, documentation, and compliance requirements.**4. Cross-Functional Collaboration*** Partner with the Product Management Director – Aerospace to support portfolio priorities, technical requirements, and new business opportunities.* Provide estimating support to the Energy team, including workload balancing and technical problem-solving.* Work with Engineering, Operations, Sourcing, Quality, Commercial, and Finance to validate cost inputs and resolve estimating questions.* Clearly communicate cost assumptions, risks, missing information, and quotation requirements.**5. Technical Leadership & Continuous Improvement*** Serve as a senior technical resource, providing guidance and mentoring to other estimators without direct supervisory responsibility.* Promote consistent estimating methods, documentation standards, and best practices.* Identify and implement improvements to estimating accuracy, efficiency, tools, and systems.* Participate in estimate-versus-actual cost reviews and develop standardized procedures, templates, and costing resources.**REQUIREMENTS:*** Minimum **5 years of experience** in manufacturing cost estimating, preferably involving engineered or precision-manufactured components.* Demonstrated experience preparing detailed estimates using technical drawings, manufacturing processes, materials, labor, tooling, and outside processing costs.* Direct experience supporting Aerospace & Defense manufacturing customers, products, or programs.* Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, dimensional requirements, and manufacturing documentation.* Working knowledge of aerospace quality requirements and their impact on manufacturing costs.* Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel and experience using ERP, MRP, or manufacturing estimating systems.* Demonstrated ability to collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Sourcing, Operations, and Commercial teams.* Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and documentation skills.* Ability to work independently, exercise sound technical judgment, and manage multiple estimating priorities.* Ability to comply with applicable export-control requirements and CDI information-handling procedures.**PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:*** Experience supporting the development or maintenance of an aerospace Approved Vendor List or Approved Supplier List.* Working familiarity with ITAR and export-controlled technical information, including appropriate handling and escalation procedures.* Familiarity with AS9100 quality management requirements and customer-specific aerospace flow-down requirements.* Experience estimating precision-machined components, engineered polymers, elastomers, sealing products, or related manufactured products.* Knowledge of aerospace materials, special processes, inspection requirements, and traceability expectations.* Experience with Oracle ERP, Paperless Parts, or comparable manufacturing estimating software.* Experience with tooling cost development, supplier quotation evaluation, and manufacturing process optimization.* Familiarity with Energy, oil and gas, or other industrial manufacturing markets.* Experience mentoring colleagues, standardizing estimating practices, or supporting process improvement initiatives.* Associate's or bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Technology, Supply Chain, Business, or a related discipline. ***Equivalent practical experience is acceptable.*****WORK ENVIRONMENT & POTENTIAL HAZARDS:*** Office environment with daily exposure to the manufacturing floor.* Some exposure to possible shop hazards including high noise and heavy machinery.**EEO STATEMENT:** *CDI is committed to the equal employment opportunity of its employees and prohibits discrimination against any employee or qualified applicant based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status or veteran status, or other non-work-related characteristics that may be protected under the law of the Federal Government or specific state employment laws.*