Experienced Estimator

Big Rock Machining; Michigan; Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Health Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Paid Vacation and Holidays

Job summary

Big Rock Machining Co. is seeking an Experienced Estimator to develop complete, defensible quotes for complex build-to-print aerospace and defense CNC work.

You will translate RFQ requirements into a practical manufacturing plan, validate cost and lead-time assumptions, and clearly communicate risk before a customer commitment. This hands-on technical and commercial role blends advanced estimating with shop floor awareness, requiring strong GD&T knowledge, robust cost modeling, and collaboration

Qualifications

• Five+ years in CNC estimating or related precision manufacturing.
• Advanced print-reading and GD&T skills with CNC knowledge.
• Experience estimating complex, close-tolerance, multi-operation parts.
• Strong cost-modeling, data-analysis and supplier-evaluation abilities.
• Ability to clearly explain estimate basis to stakeholders.
• Work environment includes production in a CNC shop with PPE.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical review of complex RFQs including drawings, models, GD&T, materials, specs, quantities.
• Establish quote-stage operation sequence, make/buy, equipment, tooling, and risk strategy.
• Build and validate detailed estimates in Paperless Parts using rates and inputs.
• Calibrate setup, run, scrap, purchasing, and nonrecurring-cost assumptions with data.
• Develop alternatives to improve competitiveness and lead times.
• Lead peer reviews and present pricing and risk recommendations.

Skills

CNC estimating

GD&T skills

Cost modelling

Data analysis

Cross-functional review

Tools

Paperless Parts

ProShop

Job description

$26 to $30 Per Hour Depending on Experience

Benefits of Working at Big Rock Machining:

We've built a great team that cares about the quality of our work, the success of our customers, the relationships we build, the skills we develop, and the value we bring to the world. The work we do matters to the security of our community and our country and we gladly accept the challenge.

We want our team to feel empowered to do their best here-and appreciated for it. We offer competitive benefits including:

401(k)

Health Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Paid Vacation and Holidays

The Opportunity

The Experienced Estimator independently develops complete, defensible quotations for complex build-to-print precision CNC machining work in Big Rock Machining Co.'s aerospace and defense environment. This role converts RFQ requirements into a practical quote-stage manufacturing strategy, validates cost and lead-time assumptions in Paperless Parts and ProShop, and communicates risk clearly before BRM makes a customer commitment. This is a hands-on technical and commercial role for someone who can see how a part will actually be made, quantify the risk, and explain the basis of a quote to manufacturing, quality, program, purchasing, and business leaders.

How the Workflow Works

• Estimator: creates and documents the manufacturing strategy and cost basis at quote stage.
• Program Manager: adds contract requirements after award.
• Manufacturing Manager: creates the production plan.
• Manufacturing Coordinator: implements the approved router in ProShop.
• The Estimator supports clarification and handoff, but does not own released production planning or final router creation.

What Success Looks Like

Complex quotes are accurate, competitive, complete, traceable, and delivered on time.

• Manufacturing strategies are executable and aligned with BRM capability, capacity, quality, margin, and risk expectations.
• Post-award teams receive a clear estimate basis without confusion over production-planning or router ownership, and estimate-to-actual analysis improves future results.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the technical review of complex RFQs, including drawings, models, GD&T, materials, specifications, quantities, documentation, and special-process requirements.
• Independently establish the quote-stage operation sequence, make/buy approach, equipment, workholding, tooling, inspection, outside-process, yield, and risk strategy.
• Build and validate detailed estimates in Paperless Parts using approved rates, quantity breaks, supplier inputs, lead-time logic, and documented assumptions.
• Use ProShop job history and actual performance data to calibrate setup, run, scrap, purchasing, and nonrecurring-cost assumptions.
• Develop alternatives that improve competitiveness, capacity use, lead time, or execution risk without compromising requirements.
• Lead peer reviews, present pricing and risk recommendations, coach developing estimators, and turn post-award results into better quoting decisions.

What We’re Looking For

• Typically five or more years of CNC estimating, programming, process engineering, manufacturing engineering, or closely related precision-manufacturing experience; demonstrated capability may substitute.
• Advanced print-reading and applied GD&T skills, with strong CNC process, tooling, workholding, inspection, material, and outside-processing knowledge.
• A record of estimating complex, close-tolerance, multi-operation build-to-print components and explaining the estimate basis clearly.
• Strong cost-modeling, data-analysis, supplier-evaluation, communication, and cross-functional review skills, with sound judgment and discipline around approval and contractual authority.
• Work environment: This role combines computer-based estimating with periodic work in a precision CNC machining environment. Required personal protective equipment must be used in production areas. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to qualified individuals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct aerospace/defense estimating experience in an AS9100 build-to-print CNC environment.
• Hands-on Paperless Parts and ProShop experience, including estimate-to-actual analysis.

Big Rock Machining Co. is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals.