Job Description

We are looking for a Cost Estimator for an established metal stamping and welding manufacturer in the Chicagoland area. This person will quote new business by reviewing customer RFQs, drawings, specifications, materials, tooling requirements, labor, press time, secondary operations, fixtures, check gages, capital equipment needs, facility changes, documentation requirements, and launch risk. We are looking for someone with a strong metal stamping background who understands how stamped parts are actually made, including progressive and transfer stamping, large press work, tooling, dies, fixtures, material usage, scrap, labor, quality requirements, and production feasibility. A background in Tool & Die, stamping estimating, manufacturing engineering, or quoting for automotive/Tier supplier programs is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop cost estimates for new and existing customer parts, assemblies, tooling, fixtures, and check gages
• Review customer RFQs, drawings, specifications, tolerances, materials, and production requirements
• Evaluate part designs and determine the most cost-effective stamping, welding, assembly, or secondary process
• Quote metal stamped parts and assemblies, including progressive die, transfer die, large press work, robotic/spot welding, and value-added operations
• Estimate material usage, scrap, labor, press time, tooling complexity, outside processing, packaging, capital equipment, and facility change requirements
• Identify required dies, fixtures, check gages, automation, poka-yoke/error-proofing, and process steps
• Work with engineering, Tool & Die, production, quality, purchasing, and leadership to validate quote assumptions
• Enter and maintain material part numbers, customer part numbers, labor routings, and routing reports in PLEX
• Manage assigned programs from quote through launch, including project progress, customer documentation, and Tier I reporting requirements
• Support engineering changes, deviations, tooling adjustments, process improvements, and launch-related problem solving
• Evaluate and recommend capital equipment purchases or facility changes when required for new programs
• Follow company safety, quality, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and IATF 16949 requirements

Requirements

• Metal stamping background required
• Minimum 2-year technical degree or equivalent experience required
• 6+ years of Tool & Die experience preferred, ideally in a metal stamping environment
• Tool & Die apprenticeship preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field is a plus
• Experience quoting, estimating, engineering, or launching stamped parts, tooling, dies, fixtures, or gages
• Strong understanding of advanced metal stamping methods, progressive dies, transfer dies, large press operations, secondary processes, and tooling
• Ability to read prints, drawings, tolerances, materials, and customer specifications
• Ability to understand major cost drivers, including material, scrap, labor, press time, tooling, outside processing, quality requirements, capital needs, and launch risk
• Automotive, Tier I supplier, appliance, agriculture, defense, heavy truck, or related industrial manufacturing experience preferred
• Familiarity with PPAP, Tier I documentation, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and IATF 16949 preferred
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Microsoft Project preferred
• PLEX experience preferred
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Bilingual preferred
• Must live in or be able to commute to the Chicagoland area

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package
• Strong company culture with a team-oriented environment
• Stable, full-time opportunity with an established Chicagoland manufacturer
• Opportunity to join a company that has seen continued growth
• Hands-on role where your metal stamping and quoting experience directly impacts new business
• Long-term opportunity with a company that values manufacturing, Tool & Die, and stamping experience