Rail Cost Estimator & Quotes Specialist

Trinity Industries; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

TrinityRail Maintenance Services, Inc. in Fort Worth, TX seeks a Cost Estimating Professional to prepare accurate cost estimates and customer quotes per AAR regulations.

You will analyze inspection data, source parts, and translate requirements into clear shop instructions while coordinating with manufacturing, purchasing, engineering, and sales teams. The role requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, 2+ years in rail cost estimating, and strong communication with internal and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Minimum of two years of relevant experience in rail cost estimating, manufacturing estimating, railcar repair, or a related field.
• Working knowledge of AAR codes, standards, and regulations applicable to railcar repair and billing.
• Experience interpreting customer procedures, specifications, contracts, and repair requirements.
• Experience reading blueprints, engineering drawings, bills of materials, or engineering models.
• Ability to analyze information, apply standard procedures, and resolve a range of straightforward estimating problems.
• Ability to interface and communicate effectively with all levels of the organization and with external partners.
• Ability to work across functions and manage multiple estimates, priorities, and documentation requirements with attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (M365); experience with RailcarRx or other estimating or maintenance systems preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review in-bound inspection reports, validate findings, and identify missing or inconsistent information requiring follow-up.
• Prepare accurate cost estimates and customer quotes based on applicable customer criteria, procedures, contracts, and AAR requirements.
• Analyze a range of straightforward estimating issues, evaluate available solutions using established procedures, and escalate exceptions when appropriate.
• Interpret drawings, blueprints, bills of materials, damage assessments, shop instructions, and customer specifications to establish the basis for estimates.
• Source repair parts and materials, including research, pricing, availability review, and requisition support.
• Develop comprehensive work orders that translate customer requirements and approved repair scope into clear shop instructions.
• Coordinate closely with manufacturing, purchasing, engineering, sales, customer service, quality, and other stakeholders to clarify scope, material, schedule, and pricing requirements.
• Maintain accurate records and repair documentation, including invoices, AAR billing repair cards, testing documentation, estimate revisions, and supporting information.
• Support estimate-to-billing accuracy by reviewing documentation for alignment with approved scope and customer requirements.
• Build knowledge of plant processes and identify a production or estimating process for future increased ownership.
• Contribute to standard work, documentation quality, and continuous improvement within the cost estimating process.
• Perform additional technician or estimating duties as required.

Skills

Cost estimating

Blueprint reading

Cross-functional communication

MS Office

Problem solving

Interfacing with stakeholders

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

RailcarRx

Microsoft 365

Job description

TrinityRail Maintenance Services, Inc. in Fort Worth, TX seeks a Cost Estimating Professional to prepare accurate cost estimates and customer quotes per AAR regulations.

You will analyze inspection data, source parts, and translate requirements into clear shop instructions while coordinating with manufacturing, purchasing, engineering, and sales teams. The role requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, 2+ years in rail cost estimating, and strong communication with internal and