Quotation Engineer / Estimator
Description:ABOUT ACME INDUSTRIESACME Industries is a 70+ year aerospace and defense manufacturer headquartered in Elk Grove Village, IL. We own and solve complex problems manufacturing precision solutions for mission-critical, long-life applications across aerospace, defense, power generation, rail, and heavy industrial markets. We are ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100:D certified, financially healthy, growing, and investing in the people and capabilities that will carry us to the next chapter.POSITION SUMMARYThe Quotation Engineer / Estimator is a technically sophisticated role at the intersection of manufacturing engineering, cost modeling, and customer strategy. This is not a clerical quoting function it requires genuine precision machining fluency, the ability to read complex drawings and GD&T, and the judgment to assess manufacturability, risk, and competitive positioning simultaneously.The right candidate brings hands-on machining and manufacturing engineering experience and can translate that knowledge into accurate, defensible cost estimates across a high-mix, low-volume environment. This person will also help build the systems, tools, and technology infrastructure that makes ACME's quoting function faster, smarter, and more competitive over time.This role is ideal for an experienced manufacturing engineer who is ready to shift from the floor to a strategic seat someone who knows what it actually takes to machine a complex part and can price it accordingly.IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILEThe strongest candidates for this role will reflect the following profile:Engineering degree (Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial) with significant hands-on CNC machining and manufacturing process experience not a desk engineerDeep familiarity with multi-axis milling, turning, boring mills, and VTLs able to mentally route a complex part and identify the constraint operationsExperienced in DFM/A, process validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), DFMEA, Control Plans, and APQP particularly in aerospace, defense, or medical device environmentsProficient with SolidWorks or similar CAD, CNC programming (FANUC, Siemens, Mazatrol), and CAD/CAM tools such as Esprit or MastercamStrong tooling and fixturing instincts has designed or specified tooling to solve complex machining problemsFamiliar with lean manufacturing (5S, SMED, Kaizen, TPS, SPC, TAKT), SPC, and continuous improvement methodologyProcess-driven and detail-oriented understands that a missed assumption in a quote becomes a margin problem in productionInterested in and capable of building systems ERP/MRP quoting integration, AI/ML-assisted estimation, and process documentationESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIESQuotation DevelopmentReview RFQs, engineering drawings, 3D CAD models, specifications, and technical documentation from customers across aerospace, defense, power generation, rail, mining, and industrial marketsAnalyze project scope and manufacturing requirements to develop detailed cost and time estimates, including labor, material, machining, finishing, inspection, and subcontract processes (paint, coating, heat treatment, etc.)Prepare formal quotation packages including pricing, delivery lead time, technical clarifications, notes to bid, and risk assessmentsEnsure all quotes meet customer requirements and comply with AS9100, ITAR, DFARS, and applicable flow-down requirementsSupport pricing strategies for long-term agreements, blanket orders, and high-volume or legacy programsCross-Functional CollaborationCollaborate with Engineering, Quality, Procurement, and Operations to ensure quotes are accurate, feasible, and reflect current shop capabilityParticipate in pre-award customer discussions, bid reviews, and cost justification meetingsCommunicate manufacturing risk and technical assumptions clearly to both internal stakeholders and customersSystems & Process DevelopmentTrack quote activity, customer contacts, and pipeline milestones using ERP/MRP and quoting toolsIdentify opportunities to improve quoting speed and accuracy through process improvements, standardization, and technologySupport evaluation and implementation of AI/ML-assisted estimation tools as ACME advances its quoting infrastructureDocument quoting methodology, assumptions, and lessons learned to build institutional knowledge and repeatabilityContinuous ImprovementApply lean manufacturing principles and DFM/A thinking to identify cost reduction opportunities in the quoting processAnalyze won/lost quote outcomes and feedback to refine pricing models and competitive positioningSupport capital acquisition requests and ROI analysis for new equipment or technology that impacts quoting capabilityRequirements:QUALIFICATIONSRequiredBachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or equivalent hands-on technical background5+ years of experience in a precision machining environment, preferably supporting aerospace and/or defense programsDeep understanding of CNC machining, multi-axis milling and turning, tight tolerance work, and complex component manufacturingProficiency reading and interpreting engineering drawings, GD&T, and customer-specific technical requirementsKnowledge of aerospace materials (titanium, Inconel, aluminum alloys, stainless) and associated machining challengesFamiliarity with quoting tools, ERP/MRP systems, and manufacturing cost estimation practicesU.S. Person status required (U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident) ITAR regulated environmentPreferredPrior experience quoting for or within OEM or Tier 1 aerospace/defense contractorsHands-on CNC programming experience (FANUC, Siemens, Tosnuc, Mazatrol, Haas, or similar)CAD/CAM experience SolidWorks, Mastercam, Esprit, or equivalentFamiliarity with AS9100, ITAR, DFARS, and NADCAP requirementsExperience with APQP, DFMEA, PFMEA, Control Plans, and process validation (IQ/OQ/PQ)Lean manufacturing background (5S, SMED, Kaizen, SPC, TAKT time, Pull Systems)Experience mentoring or leading technical teamsInterest in and aptitude for developing AI/ML-assisted tools to advance quoting speed and accuracyWHAT WE OFFERCompetitive salary commensurate with experienceAnnual bonus program tied to company EBITDA performance and individual goal achievementComprehensive benefits medical (BCBS), dental, vision, and 401(k) with company match (Fidelity)A stable, 70+ year aerospace and defense manufacturer with private equity backing and a $300MM growth targetComplex, interesting work in a high-mix, low-volume environment no two quotes are the sameA genuine opportunity to build something this role has a direct line to improving how ACME competesCORE VALUESAt ACME, we are Dedicated, Persistent, Creative, and Supportive. We get the job done, think through problems, find better ways, and help the team win.Compensation details: 95000-115000 Yearly SalaryPIc6fdf415c058-26289-41370767