Manufacturing Estimator

Nbutexas; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid Time Off

Stable team environment

Custom automation projects

Job summary

Nbutexas in Fort Wayne, IN is seeking an experienced Estimator to turn customer RFQs into realistic, competitive quotations for custom automation equipment, tooling, and fixtures. You will partner with customers, sales, engineering, suppliers, and shop personnel to define scope and develop practical concepts and cost estimates from labor to components.

The role requires 5+ years in manufacturing/tooling environments, strong CAD and GD&T skills, and the ability to manage multiple estimates from

Qualifications

• Review RFQs, statements of work, drawings and specs to identify complete project requirements.
• Develop concepts for custom automated equipment, workholding devices, fixtures, and tooling.
• Analyze labor, materials, machining, components, and manufacturing requirements to build accurate estimates.
• Work with customers and account managers to clarify incomplete specifications or scope.
• Obtain supplier pricing and lead times for components.
• Collaborate with designers and shop personnel to ensure manufacturability of concepts.

Responsibilities

• Work with customers, sales, engineering, suppliers, and shop personnel to define project scope and estimate costs.
• Develop practical concepts and quotations for automation equipment and tooling.
• Prepare accurate estimates of labor, materials, and manufacturing costs.
• Coordinate with suppliers to obtain pricing and lead times.
• Collaborate with engineering and production teams to ensure manufacturability.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Customer communication

Reading blueprints

GD&T proficiency

CAD file interpretation

Mechanical aptitude

Education

Engineering degree

Hands-on manufacturing experience

Tools

SolidWorks

Microsoft Office

CAD software

Job description

Are you an experienced manufacturing Estimator who understands what it takes to turn a customer RFQ into a realistic, competitive solution? We are seeking a hands-on Estimator to develop concepts and quotations for custom automation equipment, workholding devices, fixtures, tooling, and precision manufacturing projects.

This role works closely with customers, sales, engineering, suppliers, and shop personnel to determine project scope, develop practical concepts, and accurately estimate labor, materials, purchased components, and manufacturing costs. This position is located in Laotto, IN.

Estimator Benefits and Compensation:

• $65,000–$85,000 annual salary
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Company-paid life and AD&D insurance
• Company-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid Time Off
• Stable, team-oriented manufacturing environment
• Opportunity to work on custom-engineered automation, tooling, and manufacturing projects

Estimator Requirements & Qualifications:

• 5+ years of manufacturing and tool shop experience
• Experience with estimating, quoting, purchasing, planning, engineering, or a combination of these functions
• Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to read blueprints, tolerances, GD&T, CAD files, and technical documentation
• Strong working knowledge of hydraulics, pneumatics, and electrical control systems
• SolidWorks 3D CAD experience
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Strong analytical, organizational, and customer communication skills
• Ability to independently manage multiple estimates and projects from initial RFQ through completed quotation

Must Haves:

• Review RFQs, statements of work, customer standards, drawings, and specifications to identify complete project requirements
• Develop concepts for custom automated equipment, workholding devices, fixtures, and tooling before preparing quotations
• Analyze labor, materials, machining, purchased components, and manufacturing requirements to build accurate estimates
• Work directly with customers and account managers to clarify incomplete specifications or project scope
• Obtain supplier pricing and lead times for components required within proposed solutions
• Collaborate with mechanical designers, controls engineers, and shop personnel to ensure proposed concepts can be manufactured effectively

Estimator Preferred Background & Skills:

• Engineering degree or comparable hands-on manufacturing experience
• Previous experience estimating custom automation or engineered-to-order manufacturing projects
• Tool shop or precision machining background
• Experience developing preliminary concepts or sketches for quoting purposes
• Knowledge of current automation and manufacturing technologies
• Experience using historical cost and design data to improve estimating accuracy
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently with minimal supervision