Manufacturing Estimator/Process Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

Becker Machine & Balance is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Estimator / Process Engineer with a strong background in turning, shaft and roller manufacturing, and industrial repair work.

This position is responsible for reviewing each RFQ and developing both an accurate estimate and a practical manufacturing routing before the job is quoted. The successful candidate must be able to determine how a part will be manufactured, select the appropriate equipment, establish the sequence of operations, calculate setup and cycle times, determine material requirements, and identify tooling, fixturing, inspection, and outside-service needs.

Our work includes custom shafts, rollers, journals, large turned components, repair and rebuild projects, and low-volume precision machining. Many opportunities require evaluating worn or damaged components and developing a realistic repair plan.

Attention to detail is critical. Estimates and routings must account for the complete manufacturing process so jobs can move from quotation to the shop floor with minimal confusion or rework.

Compensation will be based on experience and qualifications.

Key Responsibilities:

Estimating and Process Planning

• Review customer RFQs, drawings, specifications, models, and repair requirements.
• Develop accurate estimates for labor, material, tooling, inspection, outside services, and other manufacturing costs.
• Create a complete manufacturing routing as part of the estimating process.
• Determine the appropriate machines, operation sequence, setups, and manufacturing methods.
• Estimate setup, machining, handling, inspection, and outside-processing time.
• Determine starting material type, stock size, cut length, and machining allowances.
• Develop complete and accurate bills of material.
• Identify required tooling, workholding, fixtures, steady rests, subcontract services, and special inspection requirements.
• Evaluate tolerances, surface finishes, material conditions, part geometry, and manufacturing risks.
• Confirm that proposed work fits Becker’s equipment and manufacturing capabilities.
• Prepare customer quotations and supporting documentation.

Turning and Repair Planning

• Develop manufacturing plans for long shafts, rollers, journals, and large-diameter turned components.
• Plan CNC and manual turning operations, including roughing, finishing, boring, facing, threading, and work between centers.
• Develop repair plans for worn or damaged shafts, rollers, bearing fits, journals, and similar industrial components.
• Account for welding, metal buildup, straightening, stress relief, grinding, balancing, milling, keyways, and outside services when required.
• Determine appropriate machining and grinding allowances throughout the repair process.
• Identify potential challenges involving runout, straightness, concentricity, workholding, distortion, and part condition.

Production Support

• Create and maintain clear, shop-ready manufacturing routings.
• Work closely with operations, scheduling, purchasing, and management.
• Support job launches and first-time manufacturing or repair projects.
• Communicate important assumptions, risks, and special requirements before work reaches the shop floor.
• Review completed jobs and compare estimated hours and costs with actual results.
• Improve estimating standards, historical data, routings, and manufacturing methods.
• Recommend process improvements that increase throughput and profitability.

Required Qualifications

• Strong hands-on background in machining and manufacturing processes.
• Significant knowledge of turning operations and turned-component manufacturing.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, tolerances, surface-finish requirements, and specifications.
• Ability to create a detailed manufacturing routing while developing the estimate.
• Understanding of machining economics, setup requirements, cycle times, and material allowances.
• Experience determining starting stock sizes and manufacturing sequences.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to identify missing information or potential manufacturing problems.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple RFQs and priorities in a high-mix manufacturing environment.

Preferred Experience

• Estimating custom-machined components, rollers, shafts, journals, and assemblies.
• Roller, shaft, and industrial component repair or rebuild work.
• Large-part machining and long-shaft turning.
• CNC and manual turning.
• Grinding, milling, keyway machining, welding, and balancing processes.
• Job shop or low-volume/high-mix manufacturing.
• Manufacturing ERP systems.

Highly Desired

• JobBOSS2 experience.
• Mazak or Mazatrol and Fanuc familiarity.
• Previous experience as a manufacturing estimator, process engineer, shop lead, senior machinist, or manufacturing engineer.
• Experience reviewing completed jobs and improving estimating standards based on actual performance.

What Success Looks Like

The successful candidate will:

• Produce accurate, complete, and profitable estimates.
• Create realistic routings at the time each estimate is prepared.
• Develop manufacturing plans that reflect how work will actually be completed on the shop floor.
• Accurately plan turning, roller, shaft, and repair projects.
• Build complete BOMs and identify all required processes and services.
• Reduce estimating errors, missed operations, and job-launch problems.
• Improve communication between estimating, purchasing, scheduling, and production.
• Help Becker Machine & Balance increase throughput and profitability through better upfront planning.

Becker Machine & Balance is a growing precision machining and industrial repair company in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. We specialize in complex, low-volume work, including large-part turning, custom shafts and rollers, repair and rebuild projects, grinding, milling, welding, and balancing. As we continue to grow and strengthen our operation, team members have the opportunity to take ownership, improve how work is done, and help shape the future of the company.

Company Description

Becker Machine & Balance is a growing precision machining and industrial repair company in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. We specialize in complex, low-volume work, including large-part turning, custom shafts and rollers, repair and rebuild projects, grinding, milling, welding, and balancing. As we continue to grow and strengthen our operation, team members have the opportunity to take ownership, improve how work is done, and help shape the future of the company.