Estimating Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Comprehensive PTO and holidays

HSA/FSA options

Company-wide benefits package

Job summary

Actalent, a multinational engineering and sciences services firm, seeks a Sr Estimating Engineer in Big Lake, MN to prepare cost estimates, analyze CAD models, and develop robust cost models for quotes. You will collaborate with Sales, Engineering, and Operations to ensure profitable quotes and support strategic growth.

You will review designs, validate routings, and drive margin-focused costings in a regulated medical device environment, contributing to continuous improvement and cost

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Finance, or a related field.
• 5+ years in quoting, estimating, costing, or manufacturing engineering.
• Strong knowledge of machining and medical device manufacturing processes.
• Experience leading complex RFQs from start to finish.
• Proficient in manufacturing quoting, estimating, and cost analysis.
• Ability to read blueprints and engineering drawings with attention to detail.
• Advanced financial acumen including margin analysis and cost modeling.
• Experience in regulated environments (ISO or similar).
• Familiar with ERP systems, especially IFS.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed cost estimates and customer quotations for RFQs across new and existing 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 to stakeholders.
• Ensure quotes align with margin targets and profitability objectives.
• Support review and approval of pricing prior to customer submission.
• Provide cost analysis support to Finance as requested.
• Coordinate RFQ activity between Sales, Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain.
• Summarize key cost drivers, assumptions, and risks for internal stakeholders.
• Maintain estimating tools, templates, and cost databases.

Skills

RFQ leadership

Machining knowledge

Medical device know-how

Cost modeling

Blueprint reading

CAD models

IFS ERP

Lean / continuous improvement

Negotiation support

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Finance

Tools

IFS ERP

CAD software

Job description

Job Title: Sr Estimating Engineer

Job Description

The Sr 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 VP of Technical Solutions and functions as a Sr-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

• Bachelor’s 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.

Work Environment

This role is fully onsite at a manufacturing facility in Big Lake, MN, operating within a clean production environment focused on the manufacture of implants and instruments for minimally invasive, orthopedic, spinal, and traumatological surgery, including instruments for robotic surgery and osteosynthesis implants. The standard work schedule is approximately 40 hours per week, with flexible start and stop times generally within the 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. timeframe. The environment uses ERP systems (such as IFS), CAD tools, and other manufacturing technologies to support estimating and production activities. Business casual attire is expected. The organization emphasizes a strong company culture, an excellent benefits and compensation package, and a mission-driven focus on improving the quality of life for patients through innovative medical manufacturing solutions.

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 company’s 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.

Workplace Type

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

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 17, 2026.

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.

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.

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.