Tooling Cost Estimator — Jigs, Fixtures & Gauges

Shape precision from the very first quote

At Smith Brothers Tool Company, you’ll be the first engineer of every build—translating customer intent into clear, defensible numbers for aerospace and industrial programs. As our Manufacturing Estimator, you’ll turn RFQs, prints, and models into winning proposals for tooling, fixtures, gauges, assembly tools, machined parts, and fabricated components.

A day in the role

You start by opening an aerospace RFQ: blueprints, CAD, and GD&T callouts. You deconstruct the work, sanity-check manufacturability with engineering and the shop, and engage vendors and subcontractors for outside processes. By afternoon, you’ve modeled labor and materials across machining, fabrication, welding, assembly, inspection, and purchased components, then packaged a clean quote with assumptions, risks, and timing clearly stated. Before handoff, you capture pricing details for future reference and brief the team so execution starts on solid ground.

What you will tackle

• Review customer RFQs, blueprints, CAD models, GD&T, and specifications.
• Build comprehensive cost estimates for jigs, fixtures, gauges, assembly tools, machined parts, and fabricated components.
• Estimate labor, materials, machining, fabrication, welding, assembly, inspection, outside processing, and purchased items.
• Partner with engineering, manufacturing, vendors, and subcontractors to validate manufacturability, timing, and cost assumptions.
• Prepare formal customer quotes, proposals, and supporting documentation.
• Maintain estimating records, pricing history, and quote details to inform future bids.
• Support project handoff by clarifying scope, assumptions, risks, and key requirements.

Your background

• 3+ years in estimating/quoting or manufacturing engineering, CNC machining, tool & die, fixture building, fabrication, or another precision manufacturing role where you personally owned estimating and quoting.
• Fluency reading blueprints, CAD drawings, RFQs, and GD&T requirements.
• Working knowledge of machining, fabrication, welding, assembly, inspection, materials, and manufacturing labor costs.
• Comfort with spreadsheets, ERP/MRP systems, and Microsoft Office.
• Meticulous attention to detail, clear communication, and strong follow-through.
• Ability to collaborate closely with engineering and shop-floor teams to develop realistic estimates.

Nice to have

• Background estimating aerospace tooling, jigs, fixtures, gauges, or complex tooling assemblies.
• Experience with CATIA, CAD/CAM, or working directly from 3D models.
• Knowledge of AS9100 or aerospace quality requirements.
• Exposure to automotive tooling, defense manufacturing, tool & die, precision machining, or custom manufacturing.

Compensation and benefits

• $80,000 to $100,000 per year, based on experience.
• 401(k) with company match
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Stable, hands-on manufacturing environment with long-term growth opportunities

You should be proficient in

• Cost Accounting
• CAD/CAM Software
• Blueprint Reading

Machines & technologies you'll use

• 3D Modeling
• CAD Software

Equal Opportunity

Smith Brothers Tool Company is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.