Estimating Manager, Aerospace — Lead Proposals

Ontic; West Chatsworth (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive PTO

401K with up to 4% matched

Annual bonus program

Flexible working arrangements

Volunteer opportunities

Mental health champions

Job summary

Ontic is seeking an Estimating Manager for its Chatsworth, CA site to lead the estimating team and deliver detailed, data-driven cost estimates for material, labor, tooling, and lead times. You will review RFQs, coordinate with Supply Chain, and validate methods with Manufacturing Engineering and Operations to ensure accurate bids.

The role requires 7+ years in aerospace or complex manufacturing estimating, strong leadership, and deep knowledge of BOMs, FAR 15.4, and cost analysis.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of aerospace or complex manufacturing estimating experience.
• Experience leading and developing an estimating team.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes including machined parts, castings, forgings, electric motors, assembly, testing, tooling, and outside processing.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, specifications, BOMs, routings, and other engineering documentation.
• Working knowledge of FAR Part 15.4, including certified cost or pricing data requirements under FAR 15.403-4 and the Truthful Cost or Pricing Data statute (formerly TINA).
• Working knowledge of cost and price analysis, including evaluation of supplier quotations, proposals, and supporting cost data.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and manage the Estimating team, including workload prioritization, performance expectations, coaching, cross-training, and accountability for quality and on-time delivery.
• Analyze and prepare detailed, accurate estimates for material, labor, tooling, equipment, outside processing, subcontracted work, NRE, and manufacturing lead times.
• Develop multi-level indented and consolidated BOMs and obtain supporting supplier costs and lead times required to support proposals.
• Review RFQ and proposal requirements, identify estimating risks and information gaps, and coordinate supplier quotation requirements with Supply Chain and other stakeholders.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Pricing, and Program teams to validate manufacturing methods, labor requirements, tooling, materials, costs, and lead-time assumptions.
• Use historical actuals, work-order data, supplier quotes, engineering inputs, and manufacturing knowledge to develop, validate, and challenge estimating assumptions.
• In conjunction with Manufacturing Engineering, determine the materials, labor, tooling, and lead time required to manufacture parts and supporting production tooling.
• Prepare clear cost and lead-time summaries that identify key assumptions, risks, and supporting rationale for Pricing and leadership approval.
• Maintain complete proposal packages and supporting documentation demonstrating the basis of estimate for material, labor, cost, and lead time.
• Perform cost and price analysis of supplier quotations and proposals as required.
• Attend on-site pre-bid/proposal conferences and site visits as required.
• Maintain and improve KPIs covering estimating backlog, turnaround time, on-time delivery, estimate accuracy, aging, and workload.
• Identify process gaps and improvement opportunities, develop recommendations, and implement standard work to improve estimating quality, efficiency, and consistency.
• Drive automation and improved use of data within the estimating process to reduce manual effort and improve decision quality.
• Establish, document, and communicate clear estimating processes, standards, and expectations to ensure consistent execution across the team.
• Hold the team accountable for performance and provide regular coaching and feedback on goals, priorities, quality, and development.

Skills

Estimating leadership

ERP/MRP

Excel

Cost/price analysis

BOMs

Reading drawings

Team coaching

Job description

Ontic is seeking an Estimating Manager for its Chatsworth, CA site to lead the estimating team and deliver detailed, data-driven cost estimates for material, labor, tooling, and lead times. You will review RFQs, coordinate with Supply Chain, and validate methods with Manufacturing Engineering and Operations to ensure accurate bids.

The role requires 7+ years in aerospace or complex manufacturing estimating, strong leadership, and deep knowledge of BOMs, FAR 15.4, and cost analysis.