Fabrication Cost Estimator

Thermo Vac; Oxford Charter Township (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401(k) with company match

Tuition reimbursement

HSA

Job summary

Thermo Vac in Oxford, MI is seeking a detail-oriented Fabrication Cost Estimator to prepare cost estimates for fabricated steel parts. You will analyze drawings, materials, labor, and outside services to develop competitive quotations while coordinating with Sales, Engineering, and Production.

The role requires 5+ years in estimating in an industrial steel fabrication environment, proficiency with AutoCAD and ERP systems, and strong cost analysis skills.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Post-secondary education in engineering, manufacturing, business, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years in estimating, inside sales, quoting, or customer-facing roles in industrial steel fabrication/manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Prepare accurate cost estimates for fabricated steel parts based on drawings and production requirements.
• Review drawings, blueprints, and requirements to determine costs for materials, labor, machine time, welding, finishing, and outside services.
• Analyze manufacturing methods to ensure costs reflect production capabilities and efficiency.
• Read weld symbols and fabrication callouts affecting cost and feasibility.
• Coordinate with vendors to obtain pricing, lead times, and availability for materials and services.
• Collaborate with Sales, Engineering, Production, and Purchasing to clarify scope and improve estimate accuracy.
• Maintain quote records with assumptions and pricing history; follow up on quotations.
• Support customer inquiries related to pricing, scope, delivery, and assumptions.
• Enter estimating data accurately and on time; meet quoting deadlines with accuracy.

Skills

Estimate fabrication costs

Read weld symbols

Communication with customers/vendors

ERP experience

AutoCAD

Excel/Microsoft Office

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Technical training or college education in related field

5+ years in estimating/quoting in steel fabrication

Tools

AutoCAD

Microsoft Excel

Epicor ERP

Job description

Description

We are seeking a detail-oriented and commercially minded Fabrication Cost Estimator to join our manufacturing team. This role is responsible for preparing accurate and timely cost estimates for fabricated steel products by analyzing drawings, specifications, materials, labor requirements, outside services, and production methods.

The Fabrication Cost Estimator plays a key role in supporting profitable growth by partnering with Sales, Engineering, Purchasing, and Production to develop competitive quotations that align with customer requirements and internal manufacturing capabilities. This position is ideal for someone who understands fabrication processes, can interpret technical drawings and weld symbols, and is confident working across both customer-facing and internal teams.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare accurate cost estimates and quotations for new and existing fabricated steel parts based on customer drawings, specifications, and production requirements.
• Review engineered drawings, blueprints, and job requirements to determine material, labor, machine time, welding, finishing, and outside processing costs.
• Analyze manufacturing methods and routing assumptions to ensure quoted costs reflect actual production capabilities and efficiency.
• Read and interpret weld symbols, fabrication callouts, tolerances, and other technical requirements that impact cost and feasibility.
• Work with vendors and subcontractors to obtain current pricing, lead times, and availability for raw materials, purchased components, and outside services.
• Partner closely with Sales, Engineering, Production, and Purchasing to clarify scope, resolve discrepancies, and improve estimate accuracy.
• Maintain detailed quote records, including assumptions, revisions, pricing history, and follow-up status on open and closed quotations.
• Support customer and internal inquiries related to pricing, quote scope, delivery expectations, and estimate assumptions.
• Enter and maintain estimating and quote-related data accurately and on time.
• Meet quoting deadlines while maintaining a high level of accuracy, responsiveness, and attention to detail.
• Identify opportunities to improve quoting efficiency, cost accuracy, margin performance, and estimating processes.
• Assist with quote handoff to internal teams to support smooth transition from awarded business into production.

Experience & Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Post-secondary education or technical training in engineering, manufacturing, business, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in estimating, inside sales, quoting, or customer-facing roles within an industrial steel fabrication or manufacturing environment required.

Required Qualifications

• Strong experience estimating fabricated steel products or industrial manufacturing components.
• Ability to read and interpret engineered drawings, blueprints, and specifications.
• Ability to read and interpret weld symbols and fabrication requirements.
• Strong understanding of fabrication processes, material costing, labor estimating, and subcontracted services.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD and Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel.
• Experience working within an ERP system; Epicor experience is a plus.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with customers, vendors, and internal teams.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and prioritization skills with the ability to manage multiple quotations at once.
• Strong attention to detail and high level of data accuracy.
• Commercial awareness and sound judgment in balancing competitiveness, risk, and profitability.

Preferred Qualifications

• Mechanical engineering experience or other strong technical manufacturing background.
• Prior experience in a customer-facing estimating or sales role within a fabrication shop environment.
• Experience supporting continuous improvement initiatives related to cost control, estimating accuracy, or quoting turnaround time.
• Familiarity with ERP-based quoting workflows, BOM review, and manufacturing routings.
• Experience reviewing customer RFQs and translating them into clear internal estimating assumptions.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

• This role is performed in a combination of office and fabrication shop environments.
• Regular interaction with shop floor personnel and exposure to typical manufacturing conditions such as noise and moving equipment.
• Use of standard office equipment including computers, phones, printers, and copiers.
• May require walking through the shop floor to review parts, processes, or production requirements.

Disclaimer

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. Responsibilities may evolve based on the needs of the fabrication shop or organization.

Work Schedule:

• Status: Full-Time, On-Site – (Location: Oxford, MI)
• Standard Hours: Monday – Friday, 40 hours per week
• Overtime: May be required based on workload, quoting deadlines, or customer demand
• Travel: Minimal to none

Benefits:

We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance:

Health & Wellness

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Retirement & Financial Security

• 401(k) retirement plan with 4% company match
• Tuition reimbursement for approved education and training
• Allowances for safety shoes and prescription safety glasses

Time Off

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy
• 9 paid holidays per year

Company Culture

• Regular employee appreciation events
• Supportive, family-oriented work environment within a close-knit, small business setting
• Continuous improvement opportunities encouraged and supported

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate based on race, gender, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.