Estimator: Early-Stage Pricing & Value Engineering

Robinson Inc.; De Pere (WI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Robinson Inc. is seeking an Estimator responsible for developing accurate and competitive cost estimates based on written specifications, evolving customer requirements, and incomplete or conceptual project information.

This role requires strong judgment, manufacturing knowledge, and the ability to develop assumptions where full design details are not yet defined. You will collaborate with Sales, Engineering, and Project Management to support early-stage pricing, identify risk, and create

Qualifications

• Experience in manufacturing or fabrication estimating, engineering, or production-related roles.
• Strong ability to interpret written specifications and technical documentation.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes (fabrication, assembly, machining, etc.)
• High attention to detail, analytical thinking, and comfort working with ambiguity.

Responsibilities

• Review and interpret written specifications, customer requirements, and partial drawings.
• Develop conceptual assumptions and layouts to support early-stage pricing.
• Identify scope gaps, cost drivers, and risks during quote development.
• Apply value-engineering concepts to meet customer budgets and performance requirements.
• Prepare budgetary and semi-detailed estimates where designs are not fully defined.
• Price materials, components, and fabrication processes.
• Estimate labor hours by manufacturing process, including setup and run times.
• Document assumptions and clarifications clearly within each quote.
• Partner with Sales to support customer discussions and proposal strategy.
• Collaborate with Engineering to align estimates with manufacturability and design intent.
• Communicate with Project Management on scope transitions from quote to execution.
• Maintain ownership of assigned quotes from RFQ intake through final submission.
• Generate and revise quotes as project details evolve.
• Ensure customer, industry, and statutory requirements are met.

Skills

Manufacturing estimating

Specifications interpretation

Analytical thinking

Detail oriented

Tools

Infor CSI/Syteline

Excel

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

Job description

Robinson Inc. is seeking an Estimator responsible for developing accurate and competitive cost estimates based on written specifications, evolving customer requirements, and incomplete or conceptual project information.

This role requires strong judgment, manufacturing knowledge, and the ability to develop assumptions where full design details are not yet defined. You will collaborate with Sales, Engineering, and Project Management to support early-stage pricing, identify risk, and create