Manufacturing Estimator
About The Position
Mid Continent Engineering is seeking a Manufacturing Estimator to estimate new and repeat parts and enter quotations into an ERP system. The role develops accurate, competitive, and profitable cost estimates for machined parts, welded assemblies, sheet metal components, and fabricated metal products using engineering drawings, specifications, and bills of materials. Mid-Continent supplies first-tier OEMs in the medical, aerospace, and defense industries and offers capabilities including precision machining, aerospace welding, chromate conversion, paint and powder coat finishing, mechanical assemblies, and design-assist services. The position works with sales, project management, purchasing, engineering, quality, production, suppliers, and subcontractors to assess manufacturing feasibility, validate cost assumptions, prepare quotations, and hand off awarded work. It also maintains quote and costing documentation and contributes to continuous improvement of estimating practices.
Requirements
- At least 5 years of industrial experience, or a combination of education and experience.
- Working knowledge of manufacturing operations, including machining, welding, sheet metal fabrication, finishing, and supplier interface.
- Experience with and understanding of simple to complex blueprint drawings and GD&T.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong attention to detail.
- Ability to work collaboratively across departments.
- Ability to manage multiple RFQs and deadlines.
Nice To Haves
- Understanding of the aerospace, defense, medical, or other manufacturing industries.
- Experience working in the Epicor ERP (Kinetic) system.
Responsibilities
- Review customer RFQs, blueprints, CAD files, technical specifications, and bills of materials.
- Determine manufacturing methods and efficient production approaches for each job.
- Calculate material, labor, machine time, setup time, tooling, consumables, and outside processing costs.
- Obtain and evaluate supplier and subcontractor pricing for materials and services such as heat treating, plating, painting, and powder coating.
- Prepare timely quotations in accordance with company pricing standards and profit margin requirements.
- Identify cost risks, missing information, unusual tolerances, and manufacturing challenges before submitting quotes.
- Interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, tolerances, material specifications, weld symbols, and surface finish requirements.
- Evaluate part complexity, material availability, machining and fabrication requirements, and assembly needs.
- Determine manufacturing sequences, including cutting, machining, forming, welding, finishing, inspection, and assembly.
- Collaborate with engineering and production to verify feasibility, cycle times, and required resources.
- Identify special requirements involving quality standards, certifications, traceability, or inspection documentation.
- Analyze historical job costs and compare actual performance against estimates.
- Review material utilization, scrap allowances, setup requirements, and production quantities.
- Identify opportunities to improve estimating accuracy, reduce waste, and increase profitability.
- Escalate unusual risks, uncertain costs, and high-value quotations to management as appropriate.
- Work with sales and project managers to clarify RFQ requirements and communicate quotation timelines.
- Coordinate with purchasing, engineering, quality, and production to validate cost assumptions.
- Request clarification when drawings, specifications, quantities, or delivery requirements are incomplete.
- Assist with quote revisions, engineering changes, and updated customer requirements.
- Provide a handoff of awarded jobs to project management or production, including assumptions, exclusions, and special requirements as part of the NPI process.
- Use estimating software, ERP/MRP systems, spreadsheets, and other digital tools to prepare and maintain quotations.
- Maintain quote histories, costing worksheets, supplier quotes, and supporting documentation.
- Participate in continuous improvement initiatives related to pricing methods, standard labor rates, production data, and estimating procedures.
- Identify opportunities to standardize repeat-job pricing and automate routine estimating tasks.
Benefits
- Competitive wages
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and family, including domestic partners
- 401(k)
- Tuition reimbursement
- PTO accrual starts immediately
- Yearly shoe allowance
- Referral program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
