Manufacturing Engineer - Project Estimator

RIM Recruitment Professionals; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance (optional)

Two weeks paid time off

Paid major holidays

Annual bonus and profit-sharing

On-site parking

Job summary

RIM Recruitment Professionals seeks a Manufacturing Engineer to lead our estimating function for precision machining. The role combines shop-floor knowledge with the ability to develop accurate estimates and practical production plans to improve accuracy, efficiency, and profitability.

The ideal candidate will read blueprints and GD&T confidently, perform process planning for CNC milling/turning, and leverage CAD tools to support manufacturing estimates and planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• Hands-on manufacturing or machine shop experience in precision machining environment.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD or SolidWorks.
• Strong blueprint and GD&T interpretation skills.
• Knowledge of welding and fabrication, including fabrication prints.
• Experience with CNC machining and machine setup.
• CNC programming or manufacturing process development experience.
• Experience calculating machining setup and cycle times for milling and turning.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Review blueprints, engineering drawings, CAD models, and GD&T requirements.
• Develop process plans for CNC milling, turning, grinding, and inspection.
• Calculate setup and machining cycle times for milling/turning.
• Estimate labor, materials, tooling, machining, and production costs.
• Evaluate outside processing like heat treating, plating, and coatings.
• Identify risks related to tolerances, GD&T, materials, and tooling.
• Prepare accurate estimates for custom and precision-machined components.
• Collaborate with engineering and production to ensure estimates are practical and manufacturable.
• Improve estimating accuracy, manufacturability, and quoting efficiency.

Skills

Blueprints & GD&T interpretation

CNC machining & setup

Process planning & cost estimation

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

Job description

Project Estimator –Manufacturing Engineer

We are seeking a Manufacturing Engineer with expertise in precision machining to lead our estimating function. This is a strategic, technical role for a professional who combines shop-floor knowledge with the ability to develop accurate manufacturing estimates and practical production plans. The ideal candidate will drive manufacturing accuracy, efficiency, and profitability through expert process planning, cost estimation, and collaboration with engineering and production teams. This position requires a technically strong professional who understands precision machining and CNC operations, confidently reads blueprints and GD&T, has hands‑on welding and fabrication knowledge, accurately calculates machining times, and leverages AutoCAD or SolidWorks to support effective manufacturing estimates and production planning.

Key Responsibilities

• Review blueprints, engineering drawings, CAD models, and GD&T requirements.
• Determine manufacturing methods and develop process plans for CNC milling, turning, grinding, and inspection.
• Calculate setup and machining cycle times, particularly for milling and turning.
• Estimate labor, materials, tooling, machining, and production costs.
• Evaluate outside processing such as heat treating, plating, and specialty coatings.
• Identify manufacturing risks involving tolerances, GD&T, materials, and tooling.
• Prepare accurate estimates for custom and precision‑machined components.
• Collaborate with engineering and production teams to ensure estimates are practical and manufacturable.
• Improve estimating accuracy, manufacturability, and quoting efficiency.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent technical discipline).
• Hands‑on manufacturing or machine shop experience in a precision machining or custom manufacturing environment
• Proficiency in AutoCAD or SolidWorks.
• Strong blueprint and GD&T interpretation skills.
• Knowledge of welding and fabrication, including fabrication prints.
• Strong experience with CNC machining and machine setup.
• CNC programming or manufacturing process development experience.
• Experience calculating machining setup and cycle times for milling and turning.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem‑solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Mastercam or other CAM programming experience.
• Custom manufacturing estimating experience Ability to develop accurate cost and labor estimates.
• Experience setting up and operating various manufacturing tools including milling and turning equipment.
• Experience estimating custom, short‑run, or precision‑machined components.
• Knowledge of job costing, routing, and machine shop quoting.
• Familiarity with manufacturing ERP/MRP systems.
• Experience with large or complex machined parts.

Compensation

$80, 000–$120, 000 per year, based on experience, technical skills, and education.

Benefits

• Medical, vision, and optional dental insurance
• Two weeks of paid time off
• Paid major holidays
• Annual bonus and profit‑sharing opportunities

On-site parking #RIMUS