Senior Aerospace Estimation Engineer

Zobility; Wauseon (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Zobility is seeking a Senior Estimation Engineer to convert customer prints into accurate quotes by building detailed cost models, including materials, tooling, cycle times, and outside processing. You will own the estimating cost framework and work with operations, sales, and leadership to win profitable work.

Responsibilities include estimating across milling/turning, performing should-cost analyses, and ensuring quotes reflect shop realities.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in cost estimating or manufacturing engineering in aerospace/precision machining.
• Strong blueprint reading and GD&T interpretation; read a print and identify cost drivers.
• Experience with ERP/costing software and Excel-based cost models.
• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, manufacturing, or industrial engineering preferred; equivalent shopfloor/estimating experience.

Responsibilities

• RFQ cost modeling: build detailed cost estimates from prints/specs including material, tooling, setup, inspection, and outside processing.
• Process and cycle time analysis across milling/turning/multi-axis machining to estimate realistic cycle times.
• Should-cost modeling for existing parts to negotiate margin and identify cost reductions.
• Quote turnaround: collaborate with sales and PM to deliver competitive quotes on tight timelines.
• Estimation accuracy: track quoted vs actual shop cost and improve the model.
• Capacity/make-buy input: factor shop loading and equipment availability into lead times and pricing.
• Manufacturability input: provide feedback to engineering on cost drivers during quoting.
• Maintain and improve rate tables, labor standards, and cost models across estimating.

Skills

Blueprint reading

GD&T interpretation

CNC milling/turning knowledge

Cycle time estimation

Cost modeling

Negotiation with sales

Education

Bachelors in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering

Tools

Job Boss

Paperless Parts

Excel

Job description

Duration: Direct-Hire/ Full-Time

JOB DESCRIPTION:

• Looking for a Senior Estimation Engineer who can turn a customer print into an accurate, defensible, and competitive quote, fast.
• You will own the cost model behind every RFQ that comes through Client, from raw material and cycle time to tooling, setup, and outside processing.
• This role sits at the intersection of engineering, operations, and sales, and directly shapes which jobs we win and whether we make money on them.
• You will report to operations and commercial leadership, with regular visibility to the CEO on pricing strategy and win/loss trends.

Responsibilities:

• RFQ Cost Modeling: Build detailed cost estimates from customer prints and specs, covering material, cycle time, tooling, setup, inspection, and outside processing.
• Process and Cycle Time Analysis: Apply process knowledge across milling, turning, and multi-axis machining to estimate realistic cycle times, not best-case guesses.
• Should-Cost Modeling: Build should-cost models for existing competitor parts, and use them to negotiate margin, defend pricing, and identify cost-reduction opportunities.
• Quote Turnaround: Work directly with sales and program management to turn around competitive quotes on tight customer timelines without sacrificing accuracy.
• Estimate Accuracy and Feedback Loop: Track quoted cost versus actual shop cost on won jobs, and feed that data back into the estimating model so it gets sharper over time.
• Capacity and Make/Buy Input: Factor current shop loading and equipment availability into lead time and pricing decisions on new quotes.
• Design for Manufacturability Input: Partner with engineering on manufacturability feedback during the quoting stage, catching cost drivers before they become production problems.
• Estimating Systems and Standards: Maintain and improve the rate tables, labor standards, and cost models used across the estimating function.

Requirements:

• 5+ years of cost estimating or manufacturing engineering experience in aerospace, defense, or another precision machining environment.
• Strong blueprint reading and GD&T interpretation; ability to read a print and see the cost drivers immediately.
• Hands-on knowledge of CNC milling and turning processes, tooling selection, and realistic cycle time calculation.
• Experience with ERP or costing software (Job Boss, Paperless Parts or equivalent) and comfort building or refining cost models in Excel.
• A track record of quotes that hold up: estimates that match what happens on the shop floor, not just what wins the bid.
• Comfortable pushing back on sales or customers when a target price does not match the real cost of the work.
• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering preferred; equivalent shopfloor and estimating experience will be considered.
• Experience with ITAR-controlled programs and AS9100 quoting requirements a plus.