Machining Estimator

RMS Energy; Middletown (IN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Full benefits

Career growth

401(k) match

Top-tier equipment

Compensated travel time + per diem

Education support

Generous PTO

Employee assistance program

Job summary

RMS Energy seeks a Machining Estimator to prepare quotes for machined components and multi-discipline projects. You will review blueprints, RFQs, and material specs, develop process routings and costs, and coordinate with vendors to ensure accurate, competitive bids.

Join a fast-growing power industry firm with safety, teamwork, and growth at its core. Travel up to 15% and opportunities for education support and advancement are available.

Qualifications

• 3+ years as machinist, estimator, or manufacturing engineer in a shop setting.
• Understanding of machining processes, setups, workholding, and tooling and how it drives costs.
• Ability to read blueprints including GD&T and tolerances for bid docs.
• Knowledge of common metals and their effect on machinability and cost.
• Awareness of safety practices and site hazards.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Good organizational and time management skills with deadlines.
• Clear verbal and written communication with customers in mind.
• Proficiency with precision measuring tools and MS Excel.
• Eagerness to learn and grow in a collaborative team environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist in preparing estimates, quotes, and proposals for multi-discipline projects.
• Review RFQs, blueprints, and material specs with guidance from senior estimators.
• Interpret drawings to assess manufacturability and cost drivers.
• Develop machining routings and estimate setup and cycle times for CNC operations.
• Identify material grades and calculate material requirements and costs.
• Request quotes from vendors and compare pricing and scope.
• Maintain estimating tools, pricing databases, and cost models.
• Schedule bid meetings and track action items with stakeholders.
• Gather input for preliminary schedules and lead times.
• Participate in pre-sale site walk-throughs to evaluate scope and safety.
• Ensure proposals include required documentation and certifications.
• Prepare handoff packages for awarded projects.

Skills

Machining processes

Blueprint reading

Material knowledge

Safety awareness

Analytical skills

Time management

Communication skills

Precision measuring

MS Excel

Teamwork

Education

Associate degree in Manufacturing or MET

Machinist apprenticeship

Tools

JobBOSS

E2 Shop System

ProShop ERP

SolidWorks

Job description

and join RMS Energy, a fast-growing provider of turn-key solutions to the power industry. From substation design and commissioning to equipment upgrades and system protection, we power the nation’s critical infrastructure — serving utilities, commercial, industrial, renewable, data center, and government clients across the U.S.

Our people are our brand. We’re proud to be powered by a team that leads with expertise, grit, and purpose.

Location: Middletown, IN

Job Id:1358

# of Openings:1

The Machining Estimator prepares estimates for machined components, fabrication work, and larger projects. This role supports customer jobs from the initial inquiry through production and delivery.

Working under the guidance of Operations, the Machining Estimator reviews customer blueprints, material specifications, and RFQs to develop accurate quotes. This role also participates in customer site walk-throughs and helps ensure each bid includes accurate technical and pricing details.

The Machining Estimator prepares estimates for machined components, fabrication work, and larger projects. This role supports customer jobs from the initial inquiry through production and delivery.

Working under the guidance of Operations, the Machining Estimator reviews customer blueprints, material specifications, and RFQs to develop accurate quotes. This role also participates in customer site walk-throughs and helps ensure each bid includes accurate technical and pricing details.

What You’ll Do:

• Assist in preparing estimates, quotes, and proposals for multi-discipline projects, including raw material, setup and machine time, labor, tooling, outside processing (e.g., heat treat, plating, coating), subcontractors, travel, and other project costs.
• Review customer requests, RFQs, blueprints, drawings, and material specifications with guidance from senior estimators. Identify project requirements and document assumptions, clarifications, and exclusions.
• Interpret blueprints and engineering drawings, including dimensions, tolerances, GD&T callouts, surface finish requirements, and drawing notes, to assess manufacturability and identify cost drivers.
• Develop machining process routings and estimate setup and cycle times for CNC milling, turning, drilling, grinding, welding/fabrication, and other machining operations.
• Identify material grades, forms, and stock sizes from material specifications (e.g., ASTM, AISI/SAE, AMS) and calculate material requirements, yield, and cost.
• Request material, outside-processing, vendor, and subcontractor quotes and help compare pricing and scope coverage for review by senior estimators.
• Maintain estimating tools, pricing databases, and cost models, including machine hourly rates, material pricing, and standard setup and cycle times.
• Schedule and participate in bid meetings with division leaders, Sales, Operations, machine shop, engineering, and quality resources, and help track action items and contributions.
• Gather input from internal teams, vendors, and subcontractors to support preliminary project schedules, material lead times, and machine capacity and resource requirements.
• Participate in pre-sale site walk-throughs with customers and senior team members to evaluate project scope, site access, safety hazards, outage requirements, clearances, and components requiring repair, reverse engineering, or replacement.
• Ensure proposals include required documentation, such as material certifications and inspection or quality requirements (e.g., first-article inspection), and comply with customer requirements and internal approval processes.
• Prepare handoff packages for awarded projects, including scope, pricing, process routings, material requirements, assumptions, exclusions, schedules, and subcontractor commitments.

The Experience We’re Looking For:

• 3+ years of hands-on experience as a machinist (CNC and/or manual), machining estimator, or manufacturing engineer in a machine shop, job shop, or industrial manufacturing environment.
• Understanding of machining processes (CNC milling, turning, drilling, grinding, and fabrication), including setups, workholding, and tooling, and how material, cycle times, and labor drive project costs.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and engineering drawings, including dimensions, tolerances, GD&T, and surface finish callouts, as well as bid documents.
• Working knowledge of common metals (e.g., carbon and alloy steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and brass) and their effect on machinability and cost.
• Awareness of machine shop and field safety practices and common job-site hazards.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Good organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills, with a customer-focused attitude.
• Proficiency with precision measuring instruments (e.g., calipers, micrometers, bore and height gauges).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
• Eagerness to learn, take direction, and grow within a collaborative, team-oriented environment.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to travel up to 15% throughout the continental USA, reflecting flexibility and commitment to project needs.

Bonus Points For:

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Machine Tool Technology, or a related field, or a completed machinist apprenticeship/journeyman card (or equivalent experience).
• Exposure to estimating, bid preparation, or proposal support, including RFPs, RFQs, or IFBs.
• Familiarity with machining time standards and feeds and speeds, and with ERP or estimating software (e.g., JobBOSS, E2, ProShop, Epicor).
• Experience programming CNC equipment or using CAD/CAM software (e.g., SolidWorks, Mastercam).
• Knowledge of quality standards and inspection practices (e.g., ISO 9001, first-article inspection, material test reports).
• Experience machining or fabricating bus bar, transformer, or other electrical utility components.
• Exposure to transmission construction, outage and clearance coordination, or rigging, hauling, and material logistics.
• Experience working with utilities, government agencies, or commercial and industrial customers.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Project and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems.

RMS Energy:

We’re not just another power services company. We’re a tight-knit, mission-driven team that values safety, teamwork, innovation, and continuous growth.

• Competitive Compensation – Overtime potential and merit-based raises
• Full Benefits – Medical, dental, and vision coverage fully paid for employees, starting the month after hire
• Steady Employment & Career Growth – Be part of a fast-growing company with promotion potential
• 401(k) with Company Match – Traditional & Roth options + free investment guidance
• Top-Tier Equipment – Provided to support you in the field
• Compensated Travel Time plus Per Diem – Earn while seeing new places
• Education Support – Paid training, certifications, and industry memberships
• Generous PTO – Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave
• Employee Assistance Program – Legal, financial, and mental wellness support

Want to be part of something meaningful?

and join a team where People, Purpose, and Power come together – your future starts here.

RMS Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe diverse teams drive better outcomes, and we’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where all employees feel valued and empowered.For more information about RMS Energy, please visit www.rmsenergy.com.

Please note: Any unsolicited resumes sent to RMS Energy from third parties will be considered the property of RMS Energy. For any interest in collaborating with RMS Energy, please contact [e-mail]. Only candidates submitted through the proper channels and directly via our applicant tracking system will be considered.