Cost Estimator - Metal Stamping

Job Summary

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