JOB SUMMARY:
Develop, analyze, and maintain manufacturing cost estimates for new and existing products, processes, and projects. The Manufacturing Cost Engineer supports quoting, production planning, and cost-reduction decisions by evaluating materials, labor, equipment, routings, overhead, and manufacturing methods. This work promotes accurate pricing, efficient operations, and profitable project execution.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES- Prepare detailed cost estimates for new projects, products, process changes, and repeat work by analyzing drawings, specifications, routings, materials, labor, equipment, tooling, outside services, and overhead requirements.
- Prepare manufacturing cost inputs for quotations and pricing decisions by applying current material costs, labor standards, machine rates, supplier pricing, and production-capability data to manufactured parts, assemblies, and services.
- Compare actual manufacturing and project costs with estimates and approved budgets. Analyze significant variances, identify their causes, and communicate cost performance, risks, and recommend corrective actions to management and other stakeholders.
- Review manufacturing processes, workflows, equipment layouts, routings, setup times, run times, and material usage to identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and lower total cost.
- Enter, maintain, and validate routings, process data, part information, and cost records in the ERP system and related databases. Ensure the information is accurate and current so it can support estimating, production planning, reporting, and operational decisions.
- Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, quality, procurement, sales, and operations teams to clarify requirements, confirm manufacturability, support make-versus-buy decisions, and align cost objectives with product and process goals.
- Evaluate supplier quotations, material pricing, subcontract services, and vendor proposals in support of procurement, supplier selection and cost reduction initiatives.
- Identify cost risks related to materials, supply chain, labor, equipment, capacity, quality, scope changes, and schedule assumptions; recommend mitigation strategies and corrective actions.
- Support change management by assessing cost impacts of engineering changes, process improvements, design revisions, supplier changes, and production method changes.
- Prepare reports, spreadsheets, cost models, and presentations that summarize estimates, assumptions, cost trends, savings opportunities, and recommended actions.
- Visit the shop floor as needed to gather data, verify routing assumptions, observe processes, validate setup and run time estimates, and support continuous improvement activities.
Additional responsibilities and duties may be assigned.
Minimal requirementsEducation & Experience:- Bachelor's degree in engineering, manufacturing, finance, business, or a related field preferred. An equivalent combination of related education, technical training, and manufacturing cost-estimating experience will be considered. Five or more years of related experience in manufacturing, cost estimating, cost engineering, production planning, machining, or process improvement is preferred.
- Experience interpreting blueprints, technical drawings, bills of material, routings, machining processes, labor standards, and material requirements preferred. Cost engineering, estimating, project management, or related certification is preferred but not required.
Software:- General PC proficiency
- Microsoft Outlook - Email, calendar, task deadlines, meetings
- Microsoft Excel - Cost models, formulas, data analysis, reports, and estimating workbooks
- Microsoft Word - Basic document creation and editing
- ERP - Basic navigation, shop order and purchase order management, routing, bill of material, inventory, labor, and costing data navigation
- Adobe - PDF viewing and editing
- CAD - Create basic drawings, models
Knowledge:- Working knowledge of machining processes, including turning, milling, grinding, multitasking machinery, gun drilling, electrical discharge machining (EDM), and superfinishing.
- Stock allowance, work holding, tooling, tool selection, and tool capability
- Nickel and chrome plating, coating processes, nitriding, thermal processing including hardening, tempering, stress relieving
- Material properties and applications, including steels, alloy steels, high-temperature alloys, tool steels, non-ferrous metals, and polymers
- Understanding of work instructions and SOPs
Design:- Tolerancing, including geometric dimensioning and tolerancing for fitment
- Engineering drawing creation
- 3D model creation
- Component design and development
Quality:- Interpret engineering drawings, including geometric dimensioning and tolerancing requirements.
Skills:- Willingness to learn and accept coaching
- Reliability and punctuality
- Brainstorming and cause-and-effect analysis
- Adaptability and resilience
- Effective teamwork and collaboration
- Strong written and verbal communication
PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS: - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
- The ability to see details at close range (Use of monitor/personal computer).
- The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense, i.e. critical thinking skills.
- The regular work schedule is generally 50 hours per week and may include on-call coverage, evenings, and weekends based on business needs.
- Ability to sit or stand for long periods.
- Ability to lift to 50 pounds.
This position description has been prepared to assist in defining job responsibilities, physical demands, working conditions and skills needed. It is not intended as a complete list of job duties, responsibilities and/or essential functions. Stolle Machinery Co, LLC retains and reserves any or all rights to change, modify, amend, add to or delete from any section of this document as it deems, in its judgment, to be proper.
