Project Estimator - Manufacturing/ Machining - CAD/ MasterCAM

Zohorecruit; Elmwood Park (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Two weeks paid time off

Paid major holidays

Annual bonus and profit-sharing

Job summary

Zohorecruit seeks a Manufacturing Engineer in Elmwood Park, IL to lead estimating for precision machining. You will integrate shop-floor knowledge with engineering data to craft accurate production plans and cost estimates.

The role emphasizes CNC methods, GD&T, and collaboration with engineering and production teams to improve quoting accuracy and manufacturability of complex components.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent).
• Hands-on experience in a precision machining or custom manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD or SolidWorks and strong GD&T interpretation.

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 and turning.
• Estimate labor, materials, tooling, machining, and production costs.
• Evaluate outside processing such as heat treating, plating, and coatings.
• Identify manufacturing risks related to 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.

Skills

Precision machining

CNC operations

Blueprint reading

GD&T interpretation

Cost estimation

Process planning

Analytical skills

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

MasterCAM

Job description

Elmwood Park, United States | Posted on 09/01/2026

Seeking a Manufacturing Engineer with expertise in precision machining to lead our estimating function.

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.

Requirements

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.
• Job costing, routing, and machine shop quoting
• Manufacturing ERP/MRP systems
• Experience with large or complex machined parts
• Medical, vision, and optional dental insurance
• Two weeks of paid time off
• Paid major holidays
• Annual bonus and profit-sharing opportunities