Estimator Position:

Direct Hire.

Salary:

$75K - $85K (Depending on experience).

Location:

Washington, MO 63090

Hours:

8 to 5.

Remote:

NO (on-site).

Status:

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States, sponsorship not available.

Benefits:

Bi-weekly pay, 8 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday. Three health care plans to choose from. Eligibility is the top of the month following 60 days of employment. 401k. Eligibility is after 60 days. PTO is negotiable. Right now, a new hire must be there 1-3 years to get 80 hours. Discretionary bonus program based on profitability.

Must Have:

Paperless Parts experience. Quoting for suppliers.

Summary:

Our client is hiring an experienced Estimator to price custom metal fabrication work from customer prints. This is a dedicated estimating role, separate from design and engineering. The Estimator turns drawings into accurate, competitive quotes, with estimates consistently landing within 85-90% of actual job cost.

Responsibilities:

The Estimator's core job is pricing work accurately from prints. Design, DFM, and part engineering are handled by the engineering team, not this role. Review customer prints, drawings, models, and RFQ packages to understand scope, materials, tolerances, finishes, and quantities. Prepare detailed estimates covering material, cutting, forming, machining, welding, assembly, paint and finishing, hardware, outside services, and freight. Estimate labor hours and machine time by operation, including laser, press brake, punch, saw, machining, welding, paint, and assembly. Produce quotes that land within 85-90% of actual job cost, measured by comparing estimated to actual material, hours, and total cost. Review completed jobs against their estimates, identify gaps, and adjust estimating standards and rates to improve accuracy over time. Request and compare vendor pricing for raw material, purchased components, and outside processes such as plating, powder coat, and heat treat. Identify missing information, print errors, or scope questions and resolve them with the customer, sales, or engineering before quoting. Hand off design and manufacturability questions to engineering rather than redesigning parts. Meet quote turnaround deadlines and keep an organized record of quotes, revisions, assumptions, and win/loss status in the ERP or quoting system. Support Sales and Customer Service with pricing questions, requotes, and change orders. Contribute to pricing strategy by tracking material cost trends, competitive feedback, and margin targets.

Qualifications:

5+ years of experience in metal fabrication, including at least 3 years in estimating or quoting fabricated metal parts and assemblies. Strong blueprint reading skills, including geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), weld symbols, and bills of materials. A proven track record of producing estimates within 85-90% of actual job cost.

Working knowledge of fabrication processes:

laser and plasma cutting, punching, press brake forming, sawing, machining, MIG/TIG welding, assembly, and paint or powder coat. Understanding of common materials, including carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum, and how gauge, grade, and nesting affect cost. Ability to calculate material usage, scrap, setup time, and run time. Strong math skills and attention to detail. Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and experience with an ERP or quoting system. High school diploma or equivalent. Hands-on shop floor experience as a fabricator, welder, press brake operator, or similar role. Associate's degree or technical certificate in manufacturing, welding, or a related field. Experience reading 3D models in SolidWorks, Inventor, or similar CAD viewers. Design work itself is not part of this role. Familiarity with nesting software and laser or punch programming. Experience quoting contract manufacturing work for OEM customers.

Skills:

Works independently and manages several quotes at once without missing deadlines. Ask questions early when a print or RFQ is incomplete. Communicates clearly with customers, sales, engineering, and production. Use job cost data to learn from misses and improve future estimates.

Work Environment:

Primarily office-based, with regular time on the shop floor reviewing parts, processes, and jobs in progress. Shop areas involve noise, moving equipment, and required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses and safety shoes. Sitting at a computer for extended periods. Ability to walk the facility and occasionally lift 25 pounds. #GRP2-$4000

Pay:

$75,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) AD&D insurance Dental insurance Employee assistance program Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Experience:

Metal fabrication: 5 years (Required)

Quoting :

3 years (Required)

Work Location:

In person