Production Planning & Cost Engineer

Express Identification Products; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A precision manufacturing company based in San Diego is looking for a detail-driven Job Planner & Estimator. This role involves analyzing client RFQs, integrating workflows with production, and collaborating with sales to deliver effective identification solutions. Candidates should have 3+ years of experience in a relevant field, strong analytical skills, and proficiency with ERP systems. The company prides itself on quality and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in an estimating, planning, or production coordination role.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings and understand manufacturing processes.
• Strong mathematical aptitude with extreme attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Analyze client RFQs and specifications for accurate cost estimates.
• Partner with Production to ensure feasibility of quoted jobs.
• Collaborate with Sales for cost-effective identification solutions.
• Maintain accurate job records using in-house Information System.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement.

Skills

Experience in estimating or planning

Ability to interpret technical drawings

Strong mathematical aptitude

Experience with ERP software

Good communication skills

Job description

At Express, we specialize in manufacturing precision-engineered identification solutions designed to stand the test of time in the world’s most demanding environments. We provide critical asset identification for the infrastructure, energy, warehouse, data center, and aerospace sectors, where quality and compliance are not just requirements—they are promises to our customers. Our manufacturing processes are a hybrid of technologies found in the printing industry, the metal fabrication industry, as well as the machining and digital processing industries.

Job Planner & Estimator

We are seeking a detail-driven Job Planner & Estimator to serve as the critical link between our Sales, Production, and Leadership teams. In this role, you will be responsible for translating complex customer requirements into accurate quotes and viable production plans. You won’t just be crunching numbers; you will be analyzing technical specifications, understanding our manufacturing workflows, and ensuring that every job we take on is set up for success out of the gate.

Key Responsibilities

• Precision Quoting: Analyze client RFQs, technical drawings, and specifications to generate accurate cost estimates, accounting for materials, specialized finishes, and labor processes.
• Workflow Integration: Partner with the Production team to ensure all quoted jobs are technically feasible and that lead times are realistic based on current machine capacity and material lead times.
• Technical Consultation: Collaborate with Sales to guide customers toward the most cost-effective and durable identification solutions for their specific applications.
• Business System Management: Utilize our in-house Information System and proprietary pricing tools to maintain accurate job records, track profitability, and manage the transition from quote to production order.
• Process Improvement: Proactively identify opportunities to refine our estimating logic and production workflows to increase throughput and maintain our high standards of quality.

Qualifications

• Experience: 3+ years in an estimating, planning, or production coordination role, ideally within a precision manufacturing or industrial printing environment.
• Technical Aptitude: Ability to interpret technical drawings and understand manufacturing processes (e.g., etching, stamping, laser marking, or custom material fabrication).
• Analytical Skills: Strong mathematical aptitude and extreme attention to detail; you are comfortable working with complex data and specialized pricing models.
• System Proficiency: Experience working with ERP software and a high level of comfort with Excel/data management tools.
• Communication: A 'bridge-builder' mentality—you can clearly communicate technical production constraints to sales staff and client needs to the production floor.