Manufacturing Estimating Engineer – Metal Fabrication

Advantage Manufacturing of Colorado Springs; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Advantage Manufacturing of Colorado Springs is seeking an experienced cost estimator to own the quote from print to price, analyzing drawings, RFQs, material, labor, and tooling costs to win work while meeting aerospace standards.

You will collaborate with engineering, procurement, and operations to ensure manufacturability, reliability, and timely delivery, documenting assumptions and delivering precise quotations for review by leadership.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in estimating or manufacturing cost analysis; aerospace, defense, automotive preferred.
• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Business, or related field preferred.
• Strong ability to interpret drawings, blueprints, and technical specifications.
• Experience with estimating software and Excel proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Own the estimate from print to price: Analyze drawings and RFQs; determine process routes; quantify material, labor, machine time, tooling, and outside processing.
• Partner with engineering and operations to confirm manufacturability and align with in-house capabilities.
• Ground it in reality: Use historical data and current throughput to set reliable costs and delivery schedules.
• Communicate clearly: Produce formal quotations that precisely capture scope and are delivered on time.
• Collaborate with sales, customer service, engineering, production, and quality to ensure quotes reflect true capability and customer needs.
• Provide technical and cost support during the proposal phase.
• Enable a smooth handoff to the executive management team and production when work is awarded.

Skills

Estimating

Manufacturing cost analysis

Drawing interpretation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Business

Tools

Estimating software

Excel

MS Office

Job description

Our mission: deliver smart, competitive quotes that win work and set production up for success—all while meeting customer expectations and adhering to aerospace and industry standards. If you thrive at the intersection of engineering rigor and business outcomes, this role is for you.

How You’ll Lead

• Own the estimate from print to price: Analyze engineering drawings and RFQs; determine process routes; quantify material, labor, machine time, tooling, and outside processing.
• Make it buildable: Partner with engineering and operations to confirm manufacturability and align with in-house capabilities.
• Ground it in reality: Use historical data and current throughput to set reliable costs and delivery schedules.
• Communicate clearly: Produce formal quotations that precisely capture scope and are delivered on time.

Scenario: Your First Week

An RFQ arrives for a multi‑part assembly with tight tolerances. You quickly secure updated material pricing and lead times from procurement, vet quotes from multiple vendors, and benchmark against past runs. You document assumptions and pricing rationale, validate process steps with production and quality, and issue a competitive quotation. Post‑submission, you join a lessons‑learned review to refine templates and workflows for the next win.

Supplier and Market Engagement

• Work with procurement to source materials and subcontracted services at competitive prices and dependable lead times.
• Evaluate vendor proposals for cost effectiveness and reliability.
• Maintain awareness of market shifts that influence estimating accuracy.

Improve the System

• Upgrade estimating tools, templates, and processes for speed and precision.
• Capture assumptions, scope clarifications, and pricing strategies within each estimate.
• Participate in post‑quote retrospectives to drive continuous improvement.

Collaborate to Deliver

• Align with sales, customer service, engineering, production, and quality to ensure quotes reflect true capability and customer needs.
• Provide technical and cost support during the proposal phase.
• Enable a smooth handoff to the executive management team and production when work is awarded.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in estimating or manufacturing cost analysis; precision sheet metal or related (aerospace, defense, automotive) preferred.
• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Business, or related field preferred.
• Solid understanding of fabrication processes: cutting, forming, welding, finishing, and assembly.
• Competent with estimating software and Microsoft Office; Excel proficiency is required.
• Strong ability to interpret drawings, blueprints, and technical specifications.
• Meticulous, analytical, and an effective communicator.

In this role, your estimates shape customer confidence, profitability, and delivery success—while supporting compliance with aerospace and industry standards.