Job Summary:

The Senior Sheet Metal Manufacturing Estimator prepares accurate, competitive, and strategically structured cost estimates for complex fabricated sheet metal components and assemblies. This role evaluates manufacturability, determines optimal production methods, and drives profitability through disciplined cost analysis and technical expertise.

In addition to estimating responsibilities, this position provides technical leadership during the quoting process, supports engineering review, and assists with initial project integration into production to ensure customer requirements are achieved. The Senior Estimator serves as a key liaison between customers, vendors, engineering, and operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Reviews and interprets complex manufacturing drawings, blueprints, and 3D models to determine scope, risk, and manufacturability.
• Analyzes GD&T and tolerance stack-ups to assess production feasibility and cost impact.
• Develops detailed cost models including material, labor, machine time, tooling, outside services, finishing, hardware, machining, welding, and assembly operations.
• Evaluates and determines the most cost-effective manufacturing strategy, including make-versus-buy decisions.
• Leads technical discussions with customers, vendors, engineering, and production teams to clarify specifications and resolve issues.
• Manages RFQs from receipt through submission, ensuring accuracy, competitiveness, and margin objectives are met within required timelines.
• Identifies design risks and recommends cost-saving or manufacturability improvements.
• Supports project transition from quote to production, assisting with engineering clarification and initial shop integration when required.
• Performs reverse engineering of customer-supplied components when necessary and produces drawings for internal or subcontractor use.
• Tracks quote performance, including win/loss trends, and drives continuous improvement in estimating accuracy and quoting strategy.
• Maintains thorough documentation of assumptions, calculations, and supporting data within ERP/MRP systems.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Advanced ability to read and interpret complex manufacturing drawings and technical documentation.
• Strong working knowledge of GD&T, tolerance stack-ups, and risk assessment in precision metal manufacturing.
• Comprehensive understanding of sheet metal fabrication processes including laser cutting, turret punching, forming/bending, welding, hardware insertion, machining, and finishing/coating operations.
• Strong understanding of material properties, production efficiencies, and cost drivers in metal manufacturing environments.
• Proficiency in ERP/MRP systems, Excel, and estimating software.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple high-value RFQs in a deadline-driven environment while maintaining margin accountability.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with accountability for estimate accuracy and profitability.
• Professional communication skills with significant customer- and vendor-facing interaction.
• Ability to manage challenging customer situations with composure and professionalism.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with engineering, production, and quality teams.

Experience and Education:

• 10+ years of estimating experience in sheet metal manufacturing or a related fabrication environment required.
• Extensive background in fabrication, engineering, or manufacturing operations strongly preferred.
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field preferred (or equivalent industry experience).
• Experience working directly with customers in a B2B manufacturing environment required.

Special Requirements:

• Manufacturing environment; exposure to shop floor conditions including noise, machinery, and metal fabrication processes.
• Regular interaction with production teams to validate processes, costing assumptions, and manufacturability assessments.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.