Manufacturing Estimator

📍 Direct Hire Opportunity with Superior Skilled Trades

Superior Skilled Trades is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Estimator to join a growing precision manufacturing team. This is a hands-on role ideal for someone with a strong machining background who understands how parts are manufactured, how long they should take to produce, and how to accurately estimate labor, costs, and production methods.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience in a precision machining environment—preferably as a Toolmaker, Journeyman Machinist, Precision Machinist, or Manufacturing Leader—and is comfortable working closely with engineering, purchasing, production, and outside manufacturing partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Review engineering drawings, blueprints, and GD&T to determine manufacturing methods and production requirements.
• Prepare accurate labor hour estimates and manufacturing cost estimates based on machining operations, setup times, tooling, and production processes.
• Evaluate supplier and machine shop quotations for accuracy, pricing, and manufacturing feasibility.
• Coordinate and source outsourced manufacturing work with qualified vendors.
• Develop and maintain relationships with precision machining suppliers and contract manufacturers.
• Collaborate with engineering to improve manufacturability, reduce costs, and increase production efficiency.
• Monitor outsourced work to ensure quality, schedule adherence, and technical compliance.
• Provide technical guidance and troubleshoot manufacturing challenges.
• Support Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives to improve productivity and reduce costs.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in a precision machining or manufacturing environment.
• Previous experience as a Toolmaker, Journeyman Machinist, Precision Machinist, or Manufacturing Leader strongly preferred.
• Strong ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and GD&T.
• Extensive knowledge of machining processes including:
  • Milling
  • Turning
  • Grinding
  • EDM
  • Precision machining operations
• Experience estimating manufacturing labor hours, production costs, and machining cycle times.
• Familiarity with manufacturing planning, scheduling, workflow, and outsourcing work to machine shops or contract manufacturers.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in precision tooling, gage manufacturing, aerospace, medical device manufacturing, or other high-tolerance manufacturing environments.
• Existing relationships with regional machine shops or precision manufacturing suppliers.
• Experience with ERP systems, job costing, or estimating software.
• Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement experience.

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Anthem Medical Insurance (available the 1st of the month after 30 days)
• Guardian Dental Insurance
• Vision insurance available
• Company-paid $10,000 Life Insurance
• Company-paid Long-Term Disability (60% salary)
• 401(k) eligibility after one year of service (January 1 or July 1 enrollment)
• 9 paid holidays annually
• Paid vacation:
  • 1 week after 6 months
  • 2 weeks after 2 years
  • Up to 4 weeks based on years of service
• Long-term career opportunity with a stable, growing precision manufacturing company

If you're an experienced manufacturing professional with a strong machining background and a passion for estimating, process improvement, and precision manufacturing, we'd love to hear from you.

INDH