Estimator

Role and work location

Responsibilities

• Review RFQs, BOQs, 2D drawings, 3D models, and technical specifications; interpret fabrication drawings and determine suitable processes.
• Prepare detailed sheet metal fabrication cost estimates and calculate raw material needs, utilization, nesting, and scrap.
• Estimate processing costs across cutting, punching, bending, shearing, welding, finishing, coating, painting, assembly, and hardware.
• Calculate machine processing time and production hours, plus labor, machine-hour, tooling, consumable, and overhead costs.
• Obtain supplier material and subcontracting costs and maintain updated costing information.
• Prepare detailed cost sheets and commercial quotations; evaluate alternatives for cost-effective solutions.
• Coordinate with production, design, purchasing, and sales on technical and commercial requirements.
• Identify manufacturing challenges, waste, and cost risks; update estimates when customer drawings or specifications change.
• Maintain costing and quotation records, monitor quotation status, and support sales with technical and costing clarifications.
• Support analysis of cost, selling price, profit margin, and quotation competitiveness.

Qualifications and experience

• A Diploma in Mechanical Engineering is mandatory.
• Requires 4–6 years of relevant estimation or costing experience in sheet metal fabrication or manufacturing.
• Experience in CNC laser cutting, turret punching, press brake bending, and sheet metal fabrication is preferred.
• Experience with electrical enclosures, industrial cabinets, machine covers, HVAC products, or precision sheet metal is an advantage.

Technical knowledge and software

• Practical knowledge of sheet metal fabrication, manufacturing processes, and common materials including mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum.
• Knowledge of CNC laser cutting and nesting, turret punching, press brake bending, bend allowance, bend deduction, and K-factor.
• Knowledge of welding, surface treatment, powder coating, painting, material consumption, machine-hour and labor-hour calculations, tooling, scrap, and utilization.
• Good AutoCAD knowledge and ability to interpret 2D drawings; understanding 3D models is preferred.
• Good Microsoft Excel knowledge, including formulas and costing spreadsheets, and ability to maintain structured costing sheets.
• CNC nesting/programming software knowledge is an advantage.

Professional skills

• Strong numerical and analytical ability, drawing-reading skills, attention to detail, and costing accuracy.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and coordinate and communicate effectively.
• Ability to manage multiple RFQs and meet quotation deadlines.
• Commercial awareness of costs, selling prices, profit margins, and quotation competitiveness; problem-solving and cost-optimization ability.