Manufacturing Company Estimator

CHL is more than just a place of business. All of our employees become part of a team that values individual opinions, nurtures talent, and provides opportunities to achieve success. Walk around our office, plant, or assembly areas and you will encounter numerous individuals that have called CHL their home away from home for 10, 20, or even 30+ years! Employees are treated to company events throughout the year – employee appreciation breakfast, company picnic, safety incentives, Christmas party, and more!

We are proud to provide our employees with a benefits program that offers choices designed to meet their individual and family needs. Each year we review our benefit plan to continually provide a comprehensive benefits package at an affordable cost for our employees and their families.

CHL Systems is hiring a Fabrication Estimator I/II to support estimating for custom fabrication and engineered system projects. This is an onsite role for someone who can support accurate cost estimates, schedules, labor projections, material takeoffs, and proposal support for customer projects.

This position may be filled at either the Estimator I or Estimator II level based on the selected candidate’s experience, technical background, fabrication knowledge, and overall alignment with the role.

This role is best suited for someone with experience in steel fabrication, manufacturing, engineering support, cost analysis, estimating, project coordination, or a related technical environment. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working with technical information, historical cost data, and ERP system information to support accurate estimating decisions.

Why Join CHL Systems?

Competitive compensation with growth opportunities

Weekly pay

Medical, dental, vision, PTO, paid holidays, and 401(k) with company match

Stable, family‑owned manufacturing company with 65+ years in business

Opportunity to support custom automation, fabrication, and engineered system projects

Collaborative environment with exposure to Sales, Applications Engineering, Purchasing, Estimating, Manufacturing, and Operations

Opportunity to grow estimating skills in a custom manufacturing environment

What You’ll Do

Review project requirements, drawings, specifications, and technical documents to understand project scope

Assist with or independently prepare cost estimates depending on level and experience

Develop or support material takeoffs, Bills of Material, and manufacturing labor estimates

Estimate cost components such as material, labor, overhead, schedule impact, and related manufacturing considerations

Analyze historical cost data, ERP system information, and cost trends to support accurate estimating decisions

Coordinate with Engineering, Purchasing, Manufacturing, Operations, and Sales to gather input needed for estimates

Review vendor and subcontractor pricing and support sourcing‑related decisions as needed

Document assumptions, scope gaps, risks, and estimate details, updating estimates as drawings, scope, or project information changes

Support proposal development and internal communication of estimate details

Participate in project handoff discussions to help align estimating assumptions with execution teams

Follow company safety, quality, and compliance procedures

What We’re Looking For

Required Qualifications

Experience in estimating, steel fabrication, manufacturing, engineering support, cost analysis, project coordination, or a similar technical environment

Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, prints, project plans, specifications, and related documents

Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to understand manufacturing processes

Basic understanding of cost structures, including material and labor

Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications

Ability to work with data, analyze cost information, and identify trends

Strong attention to detail and accuracy

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Strong time management, organization, and prioritization skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks or projects

Ability to collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including Sales, Engineering, Purchasing, Manufacturing, and Operations

Willingness to learn and adapt in a fast‑paced, project‑driven environment

Preferred Qualifications

1–3+ years of related experience preferred; 3+ years strongly preferred for Level II consideration

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Industrial Technology, or a related technical field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered

Experience developing cost estimates, proposals, material takeoffs, BOMs, or technical project support documentation

Experience in custom equipment, fabrication, machining, assembly, automation, or engineered systems environments

Experience using ERP/MRP systems, cost tracking tools, estimating software, or historical cost data to support estimates

Experience supporting project handoffs, production planning, cost comparisons, make‑versus‑buy analysis, or manufacturing operations

This Could Be a Great Fit If You

Enjoy working with numbers, drawings, costs, and technical details

Have experience in fabrication, manufacturing, estimating, engineering support, or project coordination

Are comfortable reviewing drawings and asking thoughtful questions to clarify scope

Like analyzing material, labor, historical data, and system information to support accurate estimates

Are highly organized, detail‑oriented, and able to balance multiple projects

Communicate well with both technical and non‑technical team members

Want to grow your estimating skills in a custom manufacturing environment

Take ownership of your work and care about accuracy, consistency, and follow‑through

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This is an onsite role based in a manufacturing and engineering environment

Work is primarily office‑based and involves extended periods of sitting and computer‑based work

Regular interaction with Sales, Applications, Engineering, Purchasing, Estimating, Manufacturing, and Operations teams

Periodic exposure to the shop floor and production areas to review processes, equipment, materials, or manufacturing methods

Occasional exposure to customer sites for equipment evaluation or measurements may be required

Occasional standing, walking, bending, reaching, or light lifting may be required

Ability to walk the shop floor, read technical documents and drawings, and navigate manufacturing environments as needed

PPE must be worn in designated production areas, and safety procedures must be followed

Standard full‑time schedule, typically Monday through Friday

Additional hours may be required during peak quoting cycles or project deadlines

Fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment with multiple concurrent projects

About CHL Systems

For more than 65 years, CHL Systems has been a trusted leader in designing and manufacturing custom automation and material handling solutions. Serving the food, pharmaceutical, and general manufacturing industries, we combine innovation, craftsmanship, and a family‑oriented culture to deliver high‑quality systems that keep our customers’ operations moving.

Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V)

CHL Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.

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