Pay Growth
?
out of 5
Not enough data
Not enough info to score pay or growth
Mechanical Designer / Estimator - Customer Facing
Job
Ace Fabrication Inc.
Clayton, NC (In Person)
$73,500 Salary, Full-Time
Review key factors to help you decide if the role fits your goals.
Job Security
?
out of 5
Not enough data
Calculating job security score...
Total Score
68
out of 100
Average of individual scores
Skill Insights
Compare your current skills to what this opportunity needs—we'll show you what you already have and what could strengthen your application.
Job Description
At Ace Fabrication, we don't just build stainless steel equipment — we solve problems for pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturers who can't afford to compromise. When a customer calls with a requirement that doesn't fit a catalog, we figure it out from scratch. We need an Applications Engineer who can do the same: understand what the customer needs, design a solution that works, and put a number on it. This is not a pure estimating role. You'll be the first technical voice our customers hear — understanding their needs, interpreting their specs, developing conceptual designs, and translating your engineering judgment into accurate proposals. If you're one who enjoys direct customer contact and wants to see your ideas get built, this is the seat for you. What you'll own Serve as the primary technical contact for new and existing customers — phone, email, and site visits as needed Review customer RFQs, specifications, and P&IDs to fully understand fabrication requirements Develop conceptual designs for an infinite range of custom requirements for the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry Produce detailed estimates covering material takeoffs, labor hours by operation (cutting, forming, welding, finishing, installation), and subcontracted services Translate conceptual designs into quotes that customers can act on Collaborate with the shop floor team to validate design feasibility and cost assumptions before proposals go out Track open opportunities and follow up on outstanding quotes in a timely, professional manner Identify scope creep and change order opportunities on awarded projects What we're looking for Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Technology, or equivalent hands-on experience Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to visualize and develop equipment or component designs Experience in fabrication, manufacturing, or mechanical systems is a plus Ability to read and interpret drawings, specifications, and P&IDs Comfortable working directly with customers in a technical, consultative role Experience with estimating, costing, or project scoping is preferred but not required Proficiency with Solidworks or similar CAD software is a plus Familiarity with pharmaceutical or biotech manufacturing environments and cleanroom standards is a plus Strong estimating instinct: comfortable building material takeoffs and labor estimates from drawings, specifications, or verbal descriptions Clear, professional communicator — you'll represent Ace Fabrication in every customer interaction Detail-oriented with the organizational discipline to manage multiple quotes simultaneously without dropping the ball What makes Ace Fabrication different We have been in business for over 64 years and we are experiencing tremendous growth We specialize exclusively in custom stainless fabrication for life sciences — no commodity work, no interchangeable parts We pride ourselves on practical engineering, high-quality craftsmanship, and strong customer relationships Small, experienced team where your judgment carries real weight and your name is on the work Great team, great culture and low turnover Every project is different Direct path to influencing how we grow: the applications engineer owns the front of the business "Designed. Engineered. Fabricated. Delivered. That's the Ace Fabrication standard — and it starts with you."