Manufacturing Estimator

Location: Farmington, CT
Job Type: Direct Hire
Salary: $95,000–$115,000 annually, depending on experience. Higher compensation may be considered for candidates with a 4-year degree and/or extensive experience.
Travel: 10% or less
Work Environment: Office/Shop

Superior Skilled Trades is partnered with a company seeking an experienced Manufacturing Estimator to serve as a key technical resource for manufacturing planning, estimating, and outsourced production. This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for a manufacturing professional who understands not only how precision parts are made, but also how long they should take to manufacture and what it should cost.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in precision machining, ideally as a Toolmaker, Journeyman Machinist, Precision Machinist, or Manufacturing Leader, and will be comfortable interpreting complex engineering drawings, estimating machining hours, evaluating supplier quotes, and determining the most efficient manufacturing approach.

This position will work closely with engineering, purchasing, internal production teams, and external manufacturing partners to ensure projects are completed efficiently, accurately, and cost-effectively.

Key Responsibilities

• Review engineering drawings, blueprints, and manufacturing prints to determine machining methods and production requirements.
• Estimate labor hours, setup times, cycle times, tooling requirements, and overall manufacturing costs.
• Evaluate quotes from outside machine shops and suppliers to ensure pricing, processes, and proposed cycle times are realistic and competitive.
• Identify and source manufacturing work to qualified external vendors when appropriate.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with precision machining suppliers and manufacturing partners.
• Collaborate with engineering to identify efficient manufacturing methods and opportunities for cost reduction.
• Monitor outsourced work for quality, schedule adherence, and technical compliance.
• Assist with manufacturing planning, scheduling, workflow, and job costing.
• Troubleshoot production challenges and provide technical guidance to internal and external manufacturing teams.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, efficiency, quality, and cost savings.
• Manage multiple projects and priorities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in a precision machining or manufacturing environment.
• Previous experience as a Toolmaker, Journeyman Machinist, Precision Machinist, or similar manufacturing professional strongly preferred.
• Strong ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings, blueprints, and GD&T.
• In-depth understanding of machining processes, including milling, turning, grinding, EDM, and other precision manufacturing operations.
• Experience estimating manufacturing labor hours, setup times, cycle times, and production costs.
• Ability to evaluate supplier quotations and determine whether proposed manufacturing methods and cycle times are appropriate.
• Experience working with contract manufacturers, outside machine shops, or other manufacturing suppliers.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing planning, scheduling, and workflow.
• Excellent organizational, communication, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in precision tooling, gage manufacturing, aerospace, medical, or other high-tolerance manufacturing environments.
• Established relationships with regional precision machining suppliers.
• Experience with ERP systems, job costing, or manufacturing estimating software.
• Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement experience.
• Four-year degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field is a plus.

Benefits

• Vacation beginning after 6 months of employment, increasing with tenure up to 4 weeks annually.
• 9 paid holidays.
• Anthem group health insurance available the first of the month after 30 days.
• Guardian group dental insurance available the first of the month after 30 days.
• Vision insurance available at a group rate.
• Company-paid $10,000 group term life insurance.
• Company-paid long-term disability coverage at 60% of salary.
• 401(k) eligibility after one year of service
• Travel benefits available when applicable.