Join Our Estimating Team CHL Systems is hiring an Industrial Systems Estimator 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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