Manufacturing and Cost Estimator

Canopy Aerospace & Defense; Riverside (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

401K company match

Paid sick leave, vacation, holidays

Discretionary bonuses

Job summary

Canopy Aerospace & Defense seeks a Manufacturing and Cost Estimator to prepare accurate cost estimates and quotations for defense, maritime, space, and aerospace programs. You will determine labor, tooling, materials, and processes, collaborating with Growth, Engineering, and Operations to align with customer expectations.

This high-ownership role requires strong technical knowledge of elastomeric, polymer, composite, and large structural assemblies in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of machine shop estimating and quoting experience for aerospace or precision manufacturing parts.
• Experience estimating CNC milling and turning operations.
• Ability to read, interpret, and analyze engineering drawings, specifications, bills of material, and manufacturing documentation.
• Knowledge of tooling requirements, machining processes, and production planning methods.
• Experience estimating within a low-to-medium volume job shop environment.
• Experience using ERP systems related to manufacturing planning and quoting activities.
• Strong understanding of GD&T and technical drawing interpretation.
• Ability to identify manufacturing requirements, develop solutions, and resolve technical challenges.
• Strong communication in written and spoken English.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision while supporting team objectives.

Responsibilities

• Prepare quotes and proposals using MS PowerPoint, MS Word, and ERP inputs with input from BD, engineering, and operations.
• Develop manufacturing plans by identifying required processes, equipment, tooling, programming requirements, setup operations, materials, and labor hours.
• Prepare accurate cost estimates and quotations based on established labor rates, overhead rates, material costs, and supplier pricing.
• Review RFQs, drawings, specifications, and documentation to determine scope and requirements.
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to understand production capabilities and develop effective manufacturing approaches.
• Communicate with customers, suppliers, and internal teams regarding quotations and project updates.
• Follow up on open RFQs and proposals and update quotations as needed.
• Maintain RFQ and proposal tracking records for reporting and KPIs.
• Support development and maintenance of work instructions for programs.
• Perform risk assessments and identify potential cost, schedule, and manufacturing challenges.

Skills

Read & interpret drawings

CNC machining knowledge

Cost estimation

ERP experience

English communication

Analytical skills

Multi-tasking

Tools

JobBoss or similar ERP

ERP systems

Job description

About Canopy Aerospace & Defense

Canopy A&D is built to accelerate the future of advanced materials for space, defense, and maritime systems. Canopy delivers specialized materials and components that carry customers from concept through sustainment. Canopy A&D’s advanced signal attenuation technologies and production-scale manufacturing accelerate the fielding of platforms that are faster, cooler, and quieter. Our adaptive approach ensures solutions evolve at the pace of shifting challenges, keeping our customers ahead of the curve.

Canopy A&D is built to accelerate the future of advanced materials for space, defense, and maritime systems. Canopy delivers specialized materials and components that carry customers from concept through sustainment. Canopy A&D’s advanced signal attenuation technologies and production-scale manufacturing accelerate the fielding of platforms that are faster, cooler, and quieter. Our adaptive approach ensures solutions evolve at the pace of shifting challenges, keeping our customers ahead of the curve.

MSM Industries, LLC has been a trusted partner to the U.S. Navy and its prime contractors for over 20 years. As an ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing business, we specialize in advanced material solutions for signature reduction, vibration and acoustic management, and environmental control. MSM also serves as a high-performance system integration and assembly provider for key customers. With in-house manufacturing and a track record for on-time, high-quality deliveries, MSM is known for innovation, reliability, and rapid response to complex program needs.

Role Overview

The Manufacturing and Cost Estimator at MSM Industries is responsible for preparing accurate, timely, and competitive cost estimates and quotations for defense, maritime, space, and aerospace manufacturing programs. This is a high-ownership role, where you will directly communicate with customers and build proposal packages on the bedrock of strong technical manufacturing strategies.

This role evaluates customer requirements, drawings, material specifications, and engineering data to determine labor, tooling, raw material, compression molding, precision machining, laser processing, and specialized finishing requirements.

Working collaboratively with Growth, Program Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and external vendors, the Estimator ensures quotes align with customer expectations, plant capacity, manufacturing capabilities, and strategic business goals.

This position requires solid technical knowledge of elastomeric, polymer, composite, and large structural assembly fabrication processes in a fast-paced defense and aerospace manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Organize and prepare quotes and proposals packages for customers in formats such as MS PowerPoint, MS Word, and Epicor ERP system and coordinating input from business development, engineering, and operations stakeholders
• Manufacturing Process Planning: Identify routing steps and operational sequences across core processes—including polymer/rubber molding, urethane/silicone casting, composite lamination/bonding, CNC machining/routing, laser cutting, and subsystem kitting/assembly
• Review customer RFQs, drawings, specifications, blueprints, and related documentation to determine scope of work and requirements
• Develop manufacturing plans by identifying required processes, equipment, tooling, programming requirements, setup operations, materials, labor hours, and outside processing needs
• Prepare accurate cost estimates and quotations based on established labor rates, overhead rates, material costs, and supplier pricing
• Evaluate manufacturing requirements for CNC machining, fabrication, composites, and other aerospace manufacturing processes
• Identify and obtain pricing from approved outside processing suppliers based on customer and drawing requirements
• Interpret technical specifications, quality clauses, material requirements, and customer requirements to identify potential risks and ensure compliance
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to understand production capabilities and develop effective manufacturing approaches
• Prepare formal price and delivery quotations for internal and external customers
• Communicate with customers, suppliers, and internal teams regarding quotations, requirements, and project updates
• Follow up on open RFQs and proposals, updating quotations as needed
• Maintain accurate RFQ and proposal tracking records to support reporting and key performance indicators
• Support the development and maintenance of work instructions for new and existing programs
• Perform risk assessments and identify potential cost, schedule, and manufacturing challenges
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with customers and suppliers
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and estimating process improvements
• Follow 5S standards and adhere to all health, safety, and environmental guidelines
• Support cross-functional operations as needed

Required Qualifications

• 6+ years of machine shop estimating and quoting experience for medium to high complexity aerospace or precision manufacturing parts. Solid experience utilizing cost models and/or formulas that incorporate pre-determined Overhead, G&A and profit rates.
• Experience estimating and quoting CNC machining operations, including CNC milling and turning processes
• Strong ability to read, interpret, and analyze engineering drawings, specifications, bills of material, and manufacturing documentation
• Knowledge of tooling requirements, machining processes, and production planning methods
• Experience estimating and quoting within a low-to-medium volume job shop manufacturing environment
• Experience using ERP systems related to manufacturing planning and quoting activities
• Strong understanding of machining various materials including metallics, plastics, composites, honeycomb core, and ablative materials
• Strong understanding of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) and technical drawing interpretation
• Ability to identify manufacturing requirements, develop solutions, and resolve technical challenges
• Ability to understand inspection methods, measurement tools, and quality requirements
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate documentation
• Ability to communicate effectively in written and verbal English with customers, suppliers, and internal teams
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision while supporting team objectives
• Ability to maintain a clean and organized work environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with JobBoss or similar manufacturing ERP systems
• CNC programming experience
• Aerospace manufacturing estimating experience
• Experience working in an AS9100 certified manufacturing environment
• Knowledge of aerospace quality requirements and customer flow-down requirements
• Experience with composites, thermal protection systems, or advanced manufacturing materials

Additional Requirements

• Must have professional working proficiency reading, writing, and speaking English
• Ability to work in office, lab, and manufacturing environments with occasional exposure to noise, chemicals, dust, industrial equipment, and temperature variations
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working at a computer workstation
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for data entry, keyboarding, and mouse use
• Ability to view computer screens for prolonged periods
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and via email
• Abilityto use a computer to complete assignments

Job Details

Type: Full Time Exempt
Hours: Core Business Hours Monday through Friday. Schedule and overtime may vary based on business needs.
Base Salary Range: $75,000 - $90,000
Base Location: Riverside, CA - 100% onsite
Travel: Occasional travel may be required based on business needs.
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Total compensation will also include a comprehensive set of benefits including but not limited to: Company paid employee medical, dental and vision insurance. 401K company match (eligibility required), paid sick leave, paid vacation, paid holidays and discretionary bonuses.

EXPORT CONTROL REQUIREMENTS

To conform to US Government export regulations, the applicant must be a (i) US Citizen, (ii) lawful permanent resident of the U.S. (aka green card holder), (iii) protected individual as defined by U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or (iv) eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Canopy A&D is an Equal Opportunity Employer, employment with Canopy A&D is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.