Manufacturing Estimating & Process Engineer

Suburban Enterprises; Appleton (WI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

401(k) with employer match

No healthcare premium increases for 4 

Job summary

Suburban Enterprises is seeking a Manufacturing Estimating & Process Engineer to convert customer requirements into accurate cost estimates and complete process packages. You will liaise across Sales, Purchasing, Quality, Engineering, and Manufacturing to ensure safe, efficient, and profitable production.

The role emphasizes estimating labor/material costs, creating manufacturing documentation, CAD modeling, and driving continuous improvement through new product launches and prototypes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related technical discipline or equivalent hands-on manufacturing experience
• Ability to create labor estimates, routings, BOMs, drawings, and visual work instructions
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software (SolidWorks, Inventor, Creo) or equivalent
• Ability to read mechanical/electrical drawings, BOMs, and contractual requirements
• Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and change-control processes
• Strong analytical, organizational, technical-writing, communication, and project-management skills

Responsibilities

• Review customer drawings, models, specs, statements of work, and PO requirements.
• Identify missing or unclear requirements and document questions, assumptions, risks.
• Develop detailed labor estimates and production-time standards.
• Create 3D models, assemblies, layouts, and drawings using CAD software.
• Translate product requirements into manufacturable processes and documentation.
• Create BOMs and routings with materials, components, and alternatives.
• Support prototypes, first-article builds, and product launches.
• Provide hands-on technical support to production teams during implementation.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Organizational skills

Technical writing

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in manufacturing, mechanical, industrial or electrical engineering

Associate degree or relevant journeyman training

Tools

SolidWorks

Autodesk Inventor

Creo

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Take Ownership of Your Career and Shape Your Future!

Are you ready to become an Employee Owner? At Suburban Enterprises, you not only work for the company you own the company! The ideal candidate is happy where he/she is currently employed but is interested in a more self-directed work environment, increased responsibility, and the opportunity to grow into additional roles. We would like to hire someone interested in a career, not a job, who wants to do the work and be recognized for a job well done!

The Role - Manufacturing Estimating & Process Engineer

The Manufacturing Estimating & Process Engineer converts customer requirements into accurate cost estimates and complete manufacturing process packages. This role serves as a technical liaison among Sales, Purchasing, Quality, Engineering, and Manufacturing to ensure products are produced safely, efficiently, and profitably. Responsibilities include estimating labor and material costs, developing manufacturing documentation, creating drawings and work instructions, supporting new product launches, and driving continuous improvement.

What You'll Do

• Reviews customer drawings, models, specifications, statements of work, purchase-order requirements, and other technical documentation.
• Identify missing, conflicting, or unclear requirements, documenting questions, assumptions, exceptions, and risks before quoting or production release.

• Develop detailed labor estimates, including setup, fabrication, assembly, inspection, testing, material handling, packaging, and production-support time.
• Establish proposed operation sequences, work-center assignments, staffing levels, cycle times, and production volumes used in each estimate.
• Estimate material, purchased components, outside processing, tooling, fixtures, equipment, packaging, and other manufacturing costs.
• Create 3D models, assemblies, layouts, detail drawings, exploded views, and visual assembly aids using approved CAD software.
• Convert customer concepts and technical inputs into controlled manufacturing drawings and production documentation.
• Translate product requirements into practical, repeatable, and auditable manufacturing methods.
• Create manufacturing bills of material containing raw materials, purchased components, subassemblies, quantities, units of measure, and approved alternatives.

• Develop routings, standard work, operation sequences, work-center requirements, labor classifications, and production-time standards.

• Participate in prototypes, process trials, first-article builds, manufacturing-readiness reviews, and new-product launches.
• Provide hands-on technical support to production employees and team leaders during implementation and resolve manufacturing questions.

What You Bring (Required Experience)

• Bachelor's degree in manufacturing, mechanical, industrial, or electrical engineering; engineering technology; or a related technical discipline; or an associate degree, relevant journeyman training, or an equivalent combination of education and significant hands‑on manufacturing experience.
• Demonstrated ability to create labor estimates, manufacturing routings, BOMs, assembly drawings, and visual work instructions.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, Creo, or an equivalent system.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, electrical drawings, customer specifications, bills of material, and contractual requirements.
• Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems, item masters, work orders, routings, revision control, and engineering-change processes.
• Strong analytical, organizational, technical‑writing, communication, and project‑management skills.

Bonus Points For (Preferred Experience)

• Five or more years of experience in manufacturing engineering, process engineering, product estimating, mechanical design, electromechanical assembly, or contract manufacturing.
• Experience with heavy electrical equipment, transformers, switchgear, control panels, cable assemblies, industrial equipment, fabricated structures, or similar products.
• General understanding of ISO 9001, ITAR, UL requirements, supplier quality, controlled documentation, and manufacturing audit expectations.

What We Offer - Why Choose Suburban Enterprises?

• Team Member Ownership: Work for a company where your contributions directly impact your future
• Commitment to Safety: Safety isn’t just a priority; it’s our promise to you and your family
• Career Growth: This isn't just a job - it's a career path with opportunities for advancement
• Continuous Learning: Investment in your professional development
• Collaborative Culture: Work with a team that values respect, integrity, and excellence
• Comprehensive Benefits: Competitive pay, ESOP, 401(K) with employer match, and no healthcare premium increases for 4 years

Ready to Join Us?

Our high standards of service to our customers and clients require that we select only the top team members based on our culture and core values so please read and understand them or come with clarifying questions because we work, live, hire and promote by them. We will choose new team members with great care because the future of Suburban Enterprises rests with them. You are here because we believe in your character and abilities.

If you're passionate about innovation, committed to excellence, and ready to be part of a company that invests in its people, we want to hear from you. Help us create a better future through innovation and automation.

We are an equal opportunity employer.