Estimator

Keel; Ladson (SC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Benefit Package

Competitive Pay

401(k) Match

HSA/FSA

Paid Holidays

Paid Time Off

Internal Referral Bonus Opportunities

Shift Differentials

Overtime Potential

Paid on the Job Training

Certification Sponsorship

Job summary

Keel is seeking an Estimator Lead to prepare estimated costs for laser cut parts, forming and fabrication, enabling sales and management to decide product pricing and capacity. You will collaborate with sales, engineering, and design to ensure accurate quotes and feasibility.

You will lead in estimating, work with Draftsmen using AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and Excel, and guide junior estimators across projects to meet schedules and quality standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related major from a four-year college or university; and five years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of six years of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate product for cost feasibility with sales, engineering, and design to determine quoting strategies.
• Develop cost estimates with Draftsmen using AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Excel, and PDF editors.
• Take a Project Lead role in the department and guide estimating efforts.
• Work independently on moderately complex project aspects and ensure on-time quote delivery.
• Perform cost analyses, BOM setup in estimating systems (JobBOSS, Merrill Quotation).
• Train and assist junior Estimators and improve estimating processes.

Skills

Leadership

Management

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

English proficiency

Blueprint reading

Interpersonal skills

Estimating skills

Training junior estimators

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related major

Tools

AutoCAD

JobBOSS

SolidWorks

Microsoft Excel

Bluebeam

Foxit

Job description

Built on Experience. Built for Skill. Built for You.

Keel was formed by bringing together three industry leaders combining generations of hands‑on expertise in steel fabrication, shipbuilding, aerospace, and defense manufacturing.

That means when you join Keel, you're joining a team backed by decades of proven craftsmanship and real‑world results.

We build ships, defense systems, aerospace components, and heavy steel structures that serve critical missions — and we do it with pride.

Your Mission:

Prepares the estimated costs to process laser cut parts, forming and fabrication so that sales and management can make business decisions on what the product should be sold for as well as evaluate capacity and capital constraints when the business is awarded.

Explore the Depth of the Role:

• Evaluate product to be cost assessed with sales, engineering, and design for feasibility to process parts and how the product is to be quoted to the customer.


• Work with Draftsmen, AutoCad, JobBoss, Solidworks, Microsoft Excel and PDF editors (ex. Bluebeam or Foxit) to develop cost estimates.


• Will assume a Project Lead role in the department.


• Work is generally independent and contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project.


• Responsible for performing all technical functions, as well as providing technical direction and support in projects. Responsible for ensuring all tasks in estimating projects are complete and meet schedule, and/or quote delivery date(s).


• Moderate involvement in department development.


• Calculatesmaterial weights and usages utilizing metric conversions for all required processes.


• Determines and develops packaging and shipping costs.


• Maintain on going costs for formulations and correlates data in the estimating system.


• Data entry from quotes into the estimating system (ex. JobBOSS or Merrill Quotation or similar) setting up Bill of Materials (BOMs) and work instructions (i.e. routers).


• Work preparing costs and \"what-if cost\" evaluations.


• Continuously evaluating cost estimating data and work sheet forms and make necessary changes as required. Effectively use date to continuously improve estimates.


• Perform other related duties as required and assigned.

Requirements

Mission Readiness:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related major from a four-year college or university; and five years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of six years of education and experience.


• 4+ years related working experience required in estimating steel fabrication work


• Strong leadership skills.


• Good management, organizational skills, analytical skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities.


• High level of attention to details.


• Must have a great command of the English language both written and in spoken formats.


• Proficiency in reading blueprints.


• Must have very good interpersonal and communication skills.


• Ability to develop estimates for projects based on scope of work, specifications and methodologies.


• Must have journeyman self‑assessment, root cause analysis, and implementing lessons learned skills.


• Ability to train and assist junior Estimators.


• Ability to learn new (transformative) ways of estimating.

Travel Requirements

Ability to travel out of state as needed

Physical Requirements

• May be required to stand, walk, sit, reach/pull/push with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop or kneel regularly.


• May lift or carry 50lbs. Weights exceeding 50lbs will require mechanical means to maneuver.

Become a part of our Builders and you too can…

• Uphold Safety and Quality Standards


• Embody Team Spirit


• Relentless Customer Focus


• Convey Integrity, Trust, and Professionalism


• Execute with Excellence and Velocity

What Keel will build for you:

• Comprehensive Benefit Package


• Competitive Pay


• 401(k) Match


• HSA/FSA


• Paid Holidays


• Paid Time Off


• Internal Referral Bonus Opportunities


• Shift Differentials


• Overtime Potential


• Paid on the Job Training


• Certification Sponsorship Opportunities


• Committed to Individual Career Growth


• We Do Fun Things, Plus More!

Need Assistance?

If you require a reasonable accommodation at any stage of the employment process, please email [e-mail] with details about your request and your contact information. Accommodation requests are reviewed individually on a case‑by‑case basis. Please note that this email address is monitored only for inquiries related to reasonable accommodation requests.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans

What we build, builds us.