Estimating Engineer

Actalent; Big Lake (MN); On-site; USD 100,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Paid time off & holidays

PTO and holidays

Job summary

Actalent in Big Lake, MN is seeking an Estimating Engineer to prepare detailed cost estimates and customer quotations for RFQs and existing opportunities. This role applies advanced knowledge of machining and medical device manufacturing to develop cost models and support profitable quoting decisions.

Reporting to the Site/Operations Manager, the position works with Sales, Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain to ensure quotes meet margin targets and supports pricing reviews.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Engineering, Finance, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in quoting, estimating, costing, or manufacturing engineering.
• Strong understanding of machining and medical device manufacturing processes.
• Proven RFQ leadership from initial request through final quotation.
• Proficiency in manufacturing quoting, estimating, and cost analysis in a production environment.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and engineering drawings with attention to detail.
• Experience with CAD models and CAD software for reviewing product designs.
• Advanced financial acumen, including margin analysis and cost modeling.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed cost estimates and customer quotations for RFQs and opportunities.
• Review drawings, specifications, and CAD models to understand product requirements and manufacturing implications.
• Develop cost models including labor, materials, overhead, tooling, and other costs.
• Validate routing and manufacturing methods with Engineering and Operations.
• Estimate cost impact of design changes and communicate impacts clearly.
• Ensure quotes meet established margin targets and profitability objectives.
• Support pricing reviews prior to customer submission.
• Perform post-award cost validation and basic variance analysis.
• Provide cost analysis to Finance with data on cost drivers and variances.
• Coordinate RFQ activity between Sales, Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain.
• Participate in technical reviews and program kick-offs to represent estimating perspectives.
• Summarize key cost drivers, assumptions, and risks for internal stakeholders.
• Maintain estimating tools, templates, and cost databases.
• Identify opportunities to improve quoting accuracy and efficiency.
• Apply machining knowledge to optimize routings and processes for cost-effective production.
• Support customer negotiations in partnership with commercial teams.
• Contribute to continuous improvement in estimating and manufacturing processes.

Skills

Manufacturing quoting

RFQ experience

Cost modeling

Blueprint reading

IFS ERP

Negotiation support

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory manufacturing ISO

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Finance or related

Tools

IFS ERP

CAD software

MS Excel

Job description

Job Title: Estimating Engineer

The Estimating Engineer prepares accurate and timely cost estimates and customer quotations for new and existing business opportunities. This role applies advanced technical knowledge of machining and medical device manufacturing processes to evaluate product specifications, develop detailed cost models, and support profitable quoting decisions. The position reports to the Site/Operations Manager and functions as a high level individual contributor without direct supervisory responsibilities, working closely with cross-functional teams to ensure quotes meet margin targets and support strategic business growth.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed cost estimates and customer quotations for requests for quotation (RFQs) across new and existing business opportunities.


• Review engineering drawings, specifications, and CAD models to understand product requirements and manufacturing implications.


• Develop comprehensive cost models that include labor, materials, overhead, tooling, and other relevant cost elements.


• Validate routing, process assumptions, and manufacturing methods in collaboration with Engineering and Operations teams.


• Estimate the cost impact of design changes and engineering revisions, and communicate these impacts clearly to stakeholders.


• Ensure all quotes align with established margin targets and profitability objectives.


• Support the review and approval of pricing prior to submission to customers.


• Perform post-award cost validation and basic variance analysis to compare estimated versus actual costs.


• Provide cost analysis support to Finance as requested, including data and insights on cost drivers and variances.


• Coordinate RFQ activity and information flow between Sales, Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain to ensure timely and accurate responses.


• Participate in technical reviews and program kick-off meetings to represent estimating and cost perspectives.


• Summarize key cost drivers, assumptions, and risks for internal stakeholders to support informed decision-making.


• Maintain and update estimating tools, templates, and cost databases to ensure they reflect current processes and costs.


• Identify and recommend opportunities to improve quoting accuracy, consistency, and efficiency.


• Apply knowledge of machining and manufacturing processes to optimize routings and process selections for cost-effective production.


• Support customer-facing activities as needed, including providing cost rationale and participating in negotiations in partnership with commercial teams.


• Contribute to continuous improvement and lean initiatives related to estimating, costing, and manufacturing processes.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors degree in Engineering, Finance, or a related field.


• At least 5 years of experience in quoting, estimating, costing, or manufacturing engineering.


• Strong understanding of machining and medical device manufacturing processes.


• Demonstrated experience leading complex RFQs from initial request through final quotation.


• Proficiency in manufacturing quoting, estimating, and cost analysis in a production environment.


• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and engineering drawings with strong attention to detail.


• Familiarity with CAD models and CAD software for reviewing product designs.


• Advanced financial acumen, including margin analysis and cost modeling capabilities.


• Understanding of manufacturing processes in regulated environments, ideally within medical device manufacturing.


• Experience working in manufacturing environments with ISO or similar regulatory requirements.


• Strong customer service orientation and ability to support internal and external stakeholders.


• Effective negotiation support skills, including the ability to explain cost structures and assumptions.


• Proficiency with ERP systems for costing and quoting, with experience in IFS considered highly relevant.


• Knowledge of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement principles and their application to estimating and manufacturing processes.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in a regulated medical manufacturing environment, particularly in the production of implants and surgical instruments.


• Experience with ERP systems, with specific exposure to IFS considered an asset.


• Experience supporting customer negotiations, including participation in pricing and commercial discussions.


• Hands-on experience with lean or continuous improvement initiatives related to manufacturing or business processes.


• Advanced CAD and blueprint reading expertise beyond basic familiarity.


• Exposure to manufacturing environments focused on minimally invasive, orthopedic, spinal, or traumatological surgery products.


• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively with Sales, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance.


• Ability to summarize complex cost drivers and technical assumptions in a clear and concise manner for non-technical stakeholders.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Big Lake, MN.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $115000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Employees and their families are eligible to participate in a comprehensive benefits package, including company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), voluntary benefits, supplemental life/AD&D insurance, and the companys 401(k) plan. Additional benefits include access to an employee assistance program (EAP) for employees and household members, long-term disability coverage, and short-term disability for full-time employees. Full-time and Part-time employees receive Paid Time Off (PTO) based on years of service, as well as paid holidays, personal holidays and MN Safe and Sick Time.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 21, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Big Lake,MN.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

Accommodations

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.