Fabrication Cost Estimator

Thermo-Vac•Oxford, MI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a detail-oriented and commercially minded Fabrication Cost Estimator to join our manufacturing team. This role is responsible for preparing accurate and timely cost estimates for fabricated steel products by analyzing drawings, specifications, materials, labor requirements, outside services, and production methods. The Fabrication Cost Estimator plays a key role in supporting profitable growth by partnering with Sales, Engineering, Purchasing, and Production to develop competitive quotations that align with customer requirements and internal manufacturing capabilities. This position is ideal for someone who understands fabrication processes, can interpret technical drawings and weld symbols, and is confident working across both customer-facing and internal teams.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required.
5+ years of experience in estimating, inside sales, quoting, or customer-facing roles within an industrial steel fabrication or manufacturing environment required.
Strong experience estimating fabricated steel products or industrial manufacturing components.
Ability to read and interpret engineered drawings, blueprints, and specifications.
Ability to read and interpret weld symbols and fabrication requirements.
Strong understanding of fabrication processes, material costing, labor estimating, and subcontracted services.
Proficiency with AutoCAD and Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel.
Experience working within an ERP system; Epicor experience is a plus.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with customers, vendors, and internal teams.
Excellent organizational, time management, and prioritization skills with the ability to manage multiple quotations at once.
Strong attention to detail and high level of data accuracy.
Commercial awareness and sound judgment in balancing competitiveness, risk, and profitability.

Nice To Haves

Post-secondary education or technical training in engineering, manufacturing, business, or a related field preferred.
Mechanical engineering experience or other strong technical manufacturing background.
Prior experience in a customer-facing estimating or sales role within a fabrication shop environment.
Experience supporting continuous improvement initiatives related to cost control, estimating accuracy, or quoting turnaround time.
Familiarity with ERP-based quoting workflows, BOM review, and manufacturing routings.
Experience reviewing customer RFQs and translating them into clear internal estimating assumptions.

Responsibilities

Prepare accurate cost estimates and quotations for new and existing fabricated steel parts based on customer drawings, specifications, and production requirements.
Review engineered drawings, blueprints, and job requirements to determine material, labor, machine time, welding, finishing, and outside processing costs.
Analyze manufacturing methods and routing assumptions to ensure quoted costs reflect actual production capabilities and efficiency.
Read and interpret weld symbols, fabrication callouts, tolerances, and other technical requirements that impact cost and feasibility.
Work with vendors and subcontractors to obtain current pricing, lead times, and availability for raw materials, purchased components, and outside services.
Partner closely with Sales, Engineering, Production, and Purchasing to clarify scope, resolve discrepancies, and improve estimate accuracy.
Maintain detailed quote records, including assumptions, revisions, pricing history, and follow-up status on open and closed quotations.
Support customer and internal inquiries related to pricing, quote scope, delivery expectations, and estimate assumptions.
Enter and maintain estimating and quote-related data accurately and on time.
Meet quoting deadlines while maintaining a high level of accuracy, responsiveness, and attention to detail.
Identify opportunities to improve quoting efficiency, cost accuracy, margin performance, and estimating processes.
Assist with quote handoff to internal teams to support smooth transition from awarded business into production.