Aerospace Estimation Engineer

Kaleidoscope Innovation

$90K — $110K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years in aerospace manufacturing or cost estimation; experience with composites.
  • Hands-on knowledge of composite structures and honeycomb core products.
  • Familiarity with aerospace quality standards and compliance requirements.
  • Proficient in developing estimates for labor, materials, and manufacturing processes.
  • Experience in NC programming and manufacturing operations.

Responsibilities

  • Analyze RFQs and engineering documents to provide accurate quotations.
  • Interpret technical requirements across aerospace commercial and defense sectors.
  • Assess manufacturing methods and costs for composite and honeycomb products.
  • Apply cost-estimation principles to support bidding and proposal activities.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams for enhanced estimating accuracy.

Benefits

  • Primarily remote work after an initial onsite visit.
  • Opportunities for engagement with cutting-edge aerospace technologies.
  • Collaborative environment working with cross-functional teams.
Full Job Description
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Job Description

Aerospace Estimation Engineer - Composite Structures & Honeycomb Products

Location: Pottsville, Pennsylvania, USA (Initial Onsite Visit Required; Primarily Remote Thereafter)

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Aerospace Estimation Engineer with hands-on experience in composite structures, honeycomb core products, aerospace manufacturing processes, and cost estimation/quoting activities within commercial and defense aerospace sectors to support engineering estimating and quotation activities for a leading aerospace composites manufacturer based in Pottsville, PA. The role will support bidding, proposal development, cost estimation, and manufacturing assessments across a diverse portfolio including - Commercial, Defense and Emerging Aviation platforms

The successful candidate will work closely with the client's Engineering Manager and cross-functional manufacturing teams to develop accurate labor, material, tooling, and manufacturing cost estimates for composite and honeycomb-based products.

Industry Experience

  • Minimum 5 years of experience in aerospace manufacturing, manufacturing engineering, cost estimation, bid engineering, or quotation development.
  • Hands-on experience with aerospace composite structures, honeycomb core products, prepreg materials, or advanced manufacturing environments.
  • Familiarity with commercial and defense aerospace program requirements, quality standards, and compliance expectations.
  • Proven ability to develop estimates covering labor, materials, tooling, machine utilization, process time, and manufacturing overhead.
  • Strong knowledge of composite manufacturing processes, including prepreg handling, layup, tooling, curing, trimming, machining, forming, and assembly.
  • Experience assessing honeycomb core forming, shaping, machining, fabrication, and production routing methods.


Technical Skills:

  • Strong understanding of composite structures, honeycomb core products, prepreg materials, and aerospace manufacturing processes.
  • Proficiency in interpreting RFQs, engineering drawings, specifications, bills of material, and manufacturing requirements.
  • Practical knowledge of core forming, layup, curing, machining, trimming, fabrication, assembly, and inspection processes.
  • Experience developing labor, material, tooling, machine, and overhead cost estimates for aerospace products.
  • Working familiarity with NC programming concepts, manufacturing routings, tooling, process planning, and resource loading.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify cost drivers, production risks, and manufacturability constraints.
  • Effective communication and stakeholder collaboration skills across engineering, manufacturing, operations, supply chain, and business teams.
  • Ability to standardize estimating assumptions, templates, methods, and lessons learned to improve quote quality and turnaround time.


Key Responsibilities: Summary of Responsibilities & Skills

  • Analyze customer RFQs, engineering drawings, specifications, and technical requirements to develop accurate engineering quotations.
  • Interpret technical requirements and manufacturing considerations for aerospace composites, honeycomb, commercial, defense, space, and emerging aviation programs.
  • Review production methods, manufacturing routings, and process plans for composite and honeycomb structures.
  • Assess fabrication, machining, core forming, trimming, assembly, and other manufacturing operations to identify key cost drivers and manufacturability considerations.
  • Apply aerospace cost-estimation principles and manufacturing cost-modeling methodologies to quotation activities.
  • Estimate labor requirements, process cycle times, tooling needs, machine utilization, and manufacturing resources required for production.
  • Develop detailed cost models covering material, labor, tooling, machine utilization, and manufacturing overheads.
  • Prepare cost estimates and engineering quotations for aerospace composite products and assemblies.
  • Support proposal preparation, bid reviews, and quotation submissions for commercial and defense aerospace opportunities.
  • Participate in technical reviews, customer proposal discussions, and cross-functional decision-making activities.
  • Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, operations, and business teams to improve estimating accuracy, consistency, and responsiveness.
  • Leverage knowledge of NC programming concepts, tooling, process planning, and aerospace manufacturing operations to enhance estimate quality and manufacturability assessments.
  • Establish scalable estimating methodologies, standards, templates, and best practices to support future growth and operational efficiency.

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