Manufacturing Estimator

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.

Requirements

• 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.

Pay

• 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.

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.

Benefits

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