Quotation Engineer / Estimator in Elk Grove Village, Illinois at ACME Careers

ABOUT ACME INDUSTRIES

ACME Industries is a 70+ year aerospace and defense manufacturer headquartered in Elk Grove Village, IL. We own and solve complex problems — manufacturing precision solutions for mission-critical, long-life applications across aerospace, defense, power generation, rail, and heavy industrial markets. We are ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100:D certified, financially healthy, growing, and investing in the people and capabilities that will carry us to the next chapter.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Quotation Engineer / Estimator is a technically sophisticated role at the intersection of manufacturing engineering, cost modeling, and customer strategy. This is not a clerical quoting function — it requires genuine precision machining fluency, the ability to read complex drawings and GD&T, and the judgment to assess manufacturability, risk, and competitive positioning simultaneously.

The right candidate brings hands-on machining and manufacturing engineering experience and can translate that knowledge into accurate, defensible cost estimates across a high-mix, low-volume environment. This person will also help build the systems, tools, and technology infrastructure that makes ACME's quoting function faster, smarter, and more competitive over time.

This role is ideal for an experienced manufacturing engineer who is ready to shift from the floor to a strategic seat — someone who knows what it actually takes to machine a complex part and can price it accordingly.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

The strongest candidates for this role will reflect the following profile:

• Engineering degree (Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial) with significant hands-on CNC machining and manufacturing process experience — not a desk engineer
• Deep familiarity with multi-axis milling, turning, boring mills, and VTLs — able to mentally route a complex part and identify the constraint operations
• Experienced in DFM/A, process validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), DFMEA, Control Plans, and APQP — particularly in aerospace, defense, or medical device environments
• Proficient with SolidWorks or similar CAD, CNC programming (FANUC, Siemens, Mazatrol), and CAD/CAM tools such as Esprit or Mastercam
• Strong tooling and fixturing instincts — has designed or specified tooling to solve complex machining problems
• Familiar with lean manufacturing (5S, SMED, Kaizen, TPS, SPC, TAKT), SPC, and continuous improvement methodology
• Process-driven and detail-oriented — understands that a missed assumption in a quote becomes a margin problem in production
• Interested in and capable of building systems — ERP/MRP quoting integration, AI/ML-assisted estimation, and process documentation

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Quotation Development

• Review RFQs, engineering drawings, 3D CAD models, specifications, and technical documentation from customers across aerospace, defense, power generation, rail, mining, and industrial markets
• Analyze project scope and manufacturing requirements to develop detailed cost and time estimates, including labor, material, machining, finishing, inspection, and subcontract processes (paint, coating, heat treatment, etc.)
• Prepare formal quotation packages including pricing, delivery lead time, technical clarifications, notes to bid, and risk assessments
• Ensure all quotes meet customer requirements and comply with AS9100, ITAR, DFARS, and applicable flow-down requirements
• Support pricing strategies for long-term agreements, blanket orders, and high-volume or legacy programs

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Procurement, and Operations to ensure quotes are accurate, feasible, and reflect current shop capability
• Participate in pre-award customer discussions, bid reviews, and cost justification meetings
• Communicate manufacturing risk and technical assumptions clearly to both internal stakeholders and customers

Systems & Process Development

• Track quote activity, customer contacts, and pipeline milestones using ERP/MRP and quoting tools
• Identify opportunities to improve quoting speed and accuracy through process improvements, standardization, and technology
• Support evaluation and implementation of AI/ML-assisted estimation tools as ACME advances its quoting infrastructure
• Document quoting methodology, assumptions, and lessons learned to build institutional knowledge and repeatability

Continuous Improvement

• Apply lean manufacturing principles and DFM/A thinking to identify cost reduction opportunities in the quoting process
• Analyze won/lost quote outcomes and feedback to refine pricing models and competitive positioning
• Support capital acquisition requests and ROI analysis for new equipment or technology that impacts quoting capability

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or equivalent hands-on technical background
• 5+ years of experience in a precision machining environment, preferably supporting aerospace and/or defense programs
• Deep understanding of CNC machining, multi-axis milling and turning, tight tolerance work, and complex component manufacturing
• Proficiency reading and interpreting engineering drawings, GD&T, and customer-specific technical requirements
• Knowledge of aerospace materials (titanium, Inconel, aluminum alloys, stainless) and associated machining challenges
• Familiarity with quoting tools, ERP/MRP systems, and manufacturing cost estimation practices
• U.S. Person status required (U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident) — ITAR regulated environment

Preferred

• Prior experience quoting for or within OEM or Tier 1 aerospace/defense contractors
• Hands-on CNC programming experience (FANUC, Siemens, Tosnuc, Mazatrol, Haas, or similar)
• CAD/CAM experience — SolidWorks, Mastercam, Esprit, or equivalent
• Familiarity with AS9100, ITAR, DFARS, and NADCAP requirements
• Experience with APQP, DFMEA, PFMEA, Control Plans, and process validation (IQ/OQ/PQ)
• Lean manufacturing background (5S, SMED, Kaizen, SPC, TAKT time, Pull Systems)
• Experience mentoring or leading technical teams
• Interest in and aptitude for developing AI/ML-assisted tools to advance quoting speed and accuracy

WHAT WE OFFER

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Annual bonus program tied to company EBITDA performance and individual goal achievement
• Comprehensive benefits — medical (BCBS), dental, vision, and 401(k) with company match (Fidelity)
• A stable, 70+ year aerospace and defense manufacturer with private equity backing and a $300MM growth target
• Complex, interesting work in a high-mix, low-volume environment — no two quotes are the same
• A genuine opportunity to build something — this role has a direct line to improving how ACME competes

CORE VALUES

At ACME, we are Dedicated, Persistent, Creative, and Supportive. We get the job done, think through problems, find better ways, and help the team win.