Machining Estimator

RMS Energy • Middletown, IN

1d

About The Position

The Machining Estimator prepares estimates for machined components, fabrication work, and larger projects, supporting customer jobs from initial inquiry through production and delivery. Working under the guidance of Operations, the role reviews customer blueprints, material specifications, and RFQs to develop accurate quotes, participates in customer site walk-throughs, and helps ensure bids include accurate technical and pricing details.

Requirements

• 3+ years of hands-on experience as a machinist (CNC and/or manual), machining estimator, or manufacturing engineer in a machine shop, job shop, or industrial manufacturing environment.
• Understanding of machining processes, including CNC milling, turning, drilling, grinding, and fabrication; setups, workholding, and tooling; and how material, cycle times, and labor drive project costs.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and engineering drawings, including dimensions, tolerances, GD&T, and surface finish callouts, as well as bid documents.
• Working knowledge of common metals, including carbon and alloy steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and brass, and their effects on machinability and cost.
• Awareness of machine shop and field safety practices and common job-site hazards.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Good organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills and a customer-focused attitude.
• Proficiency with precision measuring instruments, such as calipers, micrometers, bore gauges, and height gauges.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
• Eagerness to learn, take direction, and grow in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Ability to travel up to 15% throughout the continental USA.

Nice To Haves

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Machine Tool Technology, or a related field, or a completed machinist apprenticeship/journeyman card (or equivalent experience).
• Exposure to estimating, bid preparation, or proposal support, including RFPs, RFQs, or IFBs.
• Familiarity with machining time standards and feeds and speeds, and with ERP or estimating software such as JobBOSS, E2, ProShop, or Epicor.
• Experience programming CNC equipment or using CAD/CAM software such as SolidWorks or Mastercam.
• Knowledge of quality standards and inspection practices, such as ISO 9001, first-article inspection, and material test reports.
• Experience machining or fabricating bus bar, transformer, or other electrical utility components.
• Exposure to transmission construction, outage and clearance coordination, or rigging, hauling, and material logistics.
• Experience working with utilities, government agencies, or commercial and industrial customers.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Project and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems.

Responsibilities

• Assist in preparing estimates, quotes, and proposals for multi-discipline projects, covering raw material, setup and machine time, labor, tooling, outside processing, subcontractors, travel, and other project costs.
• Review customer requests, RFQs, blueprints, drawings, and material specifications with guidance from senior estimators; identify project requirements and document assumptions, clarifications, and exclusions.
• Interpret blueprints and engineering drawings, including dimensions, tolerances, GD&T callouts, surface finish requirements, and drawing notes, to assess manufacturability and identify cost drivers.
• Develop machining process routings and estimate setup and cycle times for CNC milling, turning, drilling, grinding, welding/fabrication, and other machining operations.
• Identify material grades, forms, and stock sizes from material specifications and calculate material requirements, yield, and cost.
• Request material, outside-processing, vendor, and subcontractor quotes and help compare pricing and scope coverage for senior estimator review.
• Maintain estimating tools, pricing databases, and cost models, including machine hourly rates, material pricing, and standard setup and cycle times.
• Schedule and participate in bid meetings with division leaders, Sales, Operations, machine shop, engineering, and quality resources, and help track action items and contributions.
• Gather input from internal teams, vendors, and subcontractors to support preliminary project schedules, material lead times, and machine capacity and resource requirements.
• Participate in pre-sale customer site walk-throughs with senior team members to evaluate project scope, site access, safety hazards, outage requirements, clearances, and components requiring repair, reverse engineering, or replacement.
• Ensure proposals include required documentation, such as material certifications and inspection or quality requirements, and comply with customer requirements and internal approval processes.
• Prepare handoff packages for awarded projects, including scope, pricing, process routings, material requirements, assumptions, exclusions, schedules, and subcontractor commitments.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation, overtime potential, and merit-based raises.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage fully paid for employees, starting the month after hire.
• Steady employment, career growth, and promotion potential.
• 401(k) with company match, traditional and Roth options, and free investment guidance.
• Top-tier equipment provided to support field work.
• Compensated travel time and per diem.
• Paid training, certifications, and industry memberships.
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
• Employee Assistance Program offering legal, financial, and mental wellness support.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed