Aerospace Estimation Engineer

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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.