Estimating Engineer ( Direct Hire) ( Expansion)

Connect-Force; Livonia (MI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Connect-Force is seeking an Estimating Engineer to join its growing team in Southeast Michigan. The role focuses on evaluating customer requirements, building accurate cost estimates, and preparing technical proposals for custom machinery and automation projects.

The ideal candidate will interpret mechanical drawings, assess manufacturing costs, and collaborate across engineering, purchasing, and production to deliver practical, cost-effective solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field preferred.
• Experience in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, estimating, and technical proposals.
• Strong understanding of industrial machinery design, manufacture, and assembly.

Responsibilities

• Review customer specifications, drawings, and project requirements to determine equipment scope and feasibility.
• Develop detailed cost estimates for custom machinery and automation projects.
• Prepare technical quotations, proposals, and supporting documentation for new equipment opportunities.
• Estimate material, fabrication, machining, assembly, and labor costs.
• Collaborate with suppliers and purchasing to obtain pricing and lead times.
• Support handoffs from estimating to engineering and manufacturing.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Estimating

Technical proposals

Industrial equipment

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Job description

Estimating Engineer – Custom Machinery & Automation

Join a Growing Engineering Team | Exciting Expansion & Career Advancement Opportunities

Location: Southeast Michigan
Employment Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire
Starting Salary: $80,000–$90,000 annually, depending on experience
Industry: Custom Machinery | Industrial Automation | Advanced Manufacturing

Build Your Career Where Engineering Meets Innovation!

Are you a mechanically inclined engineer who enjoys understanding how machines work, developing technical solutions, and helping bring complex manufacturing projects to life?

An established and growing industrial machinery manufacturer is expanding its engineering operations and looking for a motivated Estimating Engineer to join its team!

This is an exciting opportunity to become part of a company experiencing continued growth, new project opportunities, and investment in its engineering capabilities.

As the organization expands, so does the opportunity for its employees to take on greater responsibilities, develop new technical skills, and advance their careers.

This isn't just another estimating position. It's an opportunity to help shape projects from their earliest stages and see your work become real, functioning machinery.

Position Overview

The Estimating Engineer will play an important role in evaluating customer requirements, developing accurate cost estimates, and preparing technical proposals for custom machinery, industrial equipment, and automation projects.

This position combines mechanical engineering knowledge, manufacturing processes, cost analysis, and collaboration with engineering, purchasing, and production teams.

The ideal candidate enjoys working with technical drawings, understanding machine components, evaluating manufacturing costs, and developing practical solutions for customer applications.

Candidates with hands-on machine building, mechanical design, manufacturing estimating, or custom equipment experience are strongly encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities

Engineering Estimating & Technical Proposals

• Review customer specifications, technical drawings, and project requirements to determine equipment scope and feasibility.

• Develop detailed cost estimates for custom machinery, mechanical assemblies, manufacturing equipment, and automation projects.

• Prepare technical quotations, proposals, and supporting documentation for new equipment opportunities.

• Estimate material, component, fabrication, machining, assembly, engineering, and labor costs.

• Evaluate project requirements to identify potential engineering challenges, cost considerations, and opportunities for improvement.

• Collaborate with suppliers and purchasing personnel to obtain accurate pricing and lead times.

Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing Collaboration

• Work closely with mechanical engineering, electrical controls, purchasing, production, and project management teams.

• Interpret mechanical drawings, assembly layouts, bills of materials, and technical specifications.

• Apply knowledge of machine building, machining, fabrication, and mechanical assembly to develop realistic project estimates.

• Participate in technical discussions to determine appropriate equipment configurations and manufacturing approaches.

• Assist in evaluating alternative components, materials, and design approaches to improve cost efficiency.

• Support project handoffs from estimating and proposal development into engineering and manufacturing.

Project Support & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain accurate estimating documentation, cost breakdowns, and proposal records.

• Help improve estimating methods, templates, and processes as the company continues to expand.

• Communicate with internal teams to ensure project assumptions, technical requirements, and estimated costs are clearly understood.

• Support ongoing improvements in proposal accuracy, turnaround time, and overall customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

Preferred Background

• Experience in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, estimating, technical proposals, or related industrial equipment roles.

• Strong mechanical aptitude and understanding of how industrial machinery is designed, manufactured, and assembled.

• Ability to interpret mechanical blueprints, engineering drawings, and technical specifications.

• Familiarity with machining, fabrication, mechanical components, assembly processes, and manufacturing costs.

• Experience preparing estimates, quotations, bills of materials, or technical documentation.

• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to coordinate effectively with multiple engineering and manufacturing departments.

Highly Desirable Experience

• Custom machinery or machine tool manufacturing.

• Industrial automation and special-purpose equipment.

• Mechanical design or hands-on machine building.

• Capital equipment estimating or proposal engineering.

• CNC machining, precision manufacturing, or mechanical assembly.

• CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar engineering platforms.

• ERP systems and manufacturing cost estimation.

A degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or a related technical discipline is preferred. Candidates with substantial hands-on industry experience will also be considered.

Why Join This Team?

An Exciting Time to Join a Growing Organization

The company is entering an important period of expansion, creating opportunities for motivated individuals who want to contribute to its continued success.

Career Growth & Advancement

As the engineering and manufacturing operations expand, employees will have opportunities to broaden their technical responsibilities, develop leadership capabilities, and pursue long-term career advancement.

Exposure to Complex Engineering Projects

Work on challenging custom machinery and automation projects that require creative problem-solving, mechanical knowledge, and collaboration across multiple technical disciplines.

A Hands-On Engineering Environment

Unlike positions focused strictly on spreadsheets and pricing, this opportunity provides direct exposure to the equipment, engineering processes, and manufacturing operations behind each project.

Make a Real Impact

Your work will contribute directly to winning new projects, improving estimating accuracy, and supporting the company's continued growth.

Compensation

• Starting base salary: $80,000–$90,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience.

• Full-time, direct-hire opportunity.

• Long-term professional development and career growth potential.

• Additional benefits and compensation details to be discussed during the interview process.