Estimator

Ascent Aerospace, LLC; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Vision Insurance

401k Match

PTO

Job summary

Ascent Aerospace, LLC in Santa Ana, CA is seeking a skilled estimator for aerospace tooling. You will play a vital role in determining labor and material costs based on provided designs and concepts while working closely with engineering and manufacturing teams.

A successful candidate will possess an engineering degree and relevant experience in tooling or aerospace manufacturing. The position offers medical, vision, and life insurance, along with a 401k match and PTO.

Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace tooling or cost estimating.
• Strong understanding of GD&T.
• Experience with CNC machining preferred.

Responsibilities

• Estimate labor and material costs for aerospace tooling.
• Review engineering drawings and CAD models.
• Coordinate with teams for accurate proposals.

Skills

Interpreting engineering drawings

Negotiation skills

Proficiency in Excel

Ability to communicate clearly

Problem-solving

Education

Associate or bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

3–7+ years of experience in aerospace manufacturing

Tools

CATIA

NX

SolidWorks

Job description

Posted Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 7:00 AM

Ascent Aerospace – Inspiring the next generation of flight!

Ascent Aerospace is a world‑renowned, single‑source provider of production and automated assembly systems for the aerospace and defense industry. We provide high‑precision advanced automated equipment as well as a full suite of both mold and assembly tooling required for the aerospace manufacturing market, including the largest Invar molds ever made— making us the largest tooling group in the industry. We work with our customers to develop their project and see it through, from process engineering to build and installation, to ensure it is an efficient and cost‑effective solution. As a true, single‑source integrator, we have proven tools to surpass our customer expectations. We have greater control of timing and schedules, which allows for 100 % accountability, and avoids costly mark‑ups, ultimately saving our customers money. The result: a group of businesses, each an industry leader within their own discipline, now acting as one truly integrated supply base.

SUMMARY OF POSITION

This role is responsible for estimating labor and material costs of manufacturing and engineering or aerospace tooling based on data submitted by prospective customers. This includes estimates based on completed designs as well as estimates based on concepts developed internally or by customers. The estimator must have a high attention to detail and be able to clearly summarize and communicate their method of developing cost to management, contract personnel, proposal coordinators, customer representatives, price auditors, vendors, and subcontractors.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

This document in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying the position.

• Use models, drawings, and specification information in customer requests to determine labor, material, and outsourcing estimates for the design, manufacturing, and installation of tooling.
• Review engineering drawings, CAD models, and technical specifications to determine tooling requirements and how they will impact cost.
• Breakdown tools to develop a manufacturing plan as a means of estimating the labor hours required to complete material processing, fabrication, machining, assembly, paint, quality checks, shipping, installation, and final buy‑off.
• Organize all inputs and document the process used to develop the full cost allowing it to be referenced for future quotes.
• Coordinate and prepare large proposals with input from multiple internal and external groups.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, and procurement teams to ensure accurate estimates.
• Analyze tooling for complexity, manufacturing processes, long‑lead commercials, and production timelines to develop tooling lead times.
• Request and review vendor quotes for outsourced processes.
• Support proposal development and bid submissions.
• Identify cost risks and opportunities.
• Provide technical input during project planning and tooling design reviews.
• Utilizes inputs from sales staff and industry contacts to develop suggested pricing and bid strategy.
• Presents bids and bid strategy to leadership team for approval.
• Collaborate with Sales Team to negotiate and win POS.
• Ability to strategically prioritize estimating duties while managing multiple quotes to ensure all are submitted accurately and on time.
• Any additional duties as reasonably assigned by management.

REQUIRED SKILLS, EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education and experience providing the required skill and knowledge for successful job performance will be considered. Typical qualifications would be:

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in engineering, Engineering Technology, or Industrial Management
• 3–7+ years of experience in aerospace manufacturing, tooling, or cost estimating.
• Strong ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and CAD models with an understanding of how the details of each impact cost.
• Experience in aerospace industry preferably in tooling or toolmaker experience
  • Weld fabrication
  • CNC machining
  • Assembly & build
  • Inspection
  • Composite tooling
  • Metallic tooling
  • Fixtures and jigs
  • Bond tooling
• Additive manufacturing
• Proficiency in Excel
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Proficient in negotiations and conflict resolution. Possess the ability to negotiate, problem solve, and resolve program issues in a respectful, professional manner.
• This position must meet Export Control compliance requirements, therefore a “US Person” as defined by 22.C.F.R. § is required

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of cost estimating methods from detailed bids through parametric modeling used in large‑scale quotations
• Expert level knowledge of manufacturing and machining processes, raw material types, and quality policies
• Familiarity of requirements from core aerospace customers
• Experience with CATIA, NX, SolidWorks, or other CAD software.
• Familiarity with ERP systems.
• Knowledge of AS9100 quality standards.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Most travel is primarily local during the business day. Some projects may require travel out of the area and overnight stays.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Working conditions described here are representative of those that may be experienced by an employee on a daily basis while performing the functions of this job.

• Typically sits for extended periods at a computer workstation
• May access and work in the manufacturing plant
• While performing the duties of this job, employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes and airborne particles
• The employee may be exposed to vibration
• The employee is occasionally exposed to caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
• May be required to travel to other site locations during the work‑day
• May be required to work weekends to meet department and business demands
• Work with safe manufacturing processes and understand that eyewear is mandatory in the manufacturing area.
• Knows that safety shoes are recommended in the manufacturing area

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

• Must be able to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Must be able to see, talk, hear, touch, feel and reach with hands and arms.
• Must be able to frequently walk and stand for short periods of time
• Must be able to lift and move up to 35lbs, occasionally lift and move objects up to 50lbs.

BENEFITS

• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• AD&D Insurance
• PTO
• 401k Match

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Employment is contingent upon successfully passing an employee reference check, criminal background check, and drug screening.

This position requires use of information that is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. “Green Card Holder”).

Ascent Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. If you have a disability and you believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an online application, please call toll‑free [phone]. This phone number is created exclusively to assist disabled job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Only messages left for this purpose will be returned. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or technical issues not related to a disability, will not receive a response.