Manufacturing Cost Estimator — Water Transmission Products

Why this role at Thompson Pipe Group?

Do you translate drawings and specifications into precise, competitive numbers? Do you enjoy collaborating across Sales, Engineering, Manufacturing Operations, and Project Management to win complex infrastructure projects? If so, this role lets you shape bids for steel and concrete pressure pipe products used across North America.

What you’ll tackle

• Prepare comprehensive estimates for steel pipe, concrete pressure pipe, fittings, fabricated components, and special products.
• Dissect drawings, specifications, bid documents, and contract requirements to ensure full scope capture.
• Quantify and price: materials; manufacturing and fabrication labor; equipment and production requirements; purchased components and outside services; freight and logistics; and special project requirements.
• Coordinate with Engineering and Manufacturing to understand design choices, fabrication methods, and their effect on cost.
• Spot missing scope, spec conflicts, unusual requirements, and risks—before the bid goes out.
• Propose alternates and value‑engineering options across designs, materials, and manufacturing approaches.
• Keep cost data current (materials, labor, suppliers, manufacturing) and refine estimates using historical cost and production performance.
• Align estimates with market strategy in partnership with Sales.
• Work with Operations and Project Management to address capacity, schedule, technical, and contractual constraints.
• Improve estimating tools, cost databases, procedures, and standards.
• Deliver accurate estimates from conceptual phases through final contract documents.

What you bring

• EITHER: Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering or Civil Engineering
• OR: 10+ years of estimating, engineering, project management, manufacturing, or related technical experience in the pressure pipe space or a closely related engineered manufacturing/infrastructure industry

Skills and strengths

• Reads and interprets engineering drawings and technical specs with ease
• Understands manufacturing and fabrication cost drivers
• Builds detailed project/product cost models
• Accurately captures material, labor, production, and outside‑service costs
• Identifies and prices risk appropriately
• Recognizes constructability/manufacturability constraints early
• Strong math and analytical capability
• Works effectively with Engineering, Sales, Operations, and Project Management
• Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy

Preferred industry experience

• Steel or concrete pressure pipe
• Water transmission systems
• Steel pipe fabrication
• Precast/prestressed concrete
• Structural steel fabrication
• Tanks or pressure vessels
• Heavy civil infrastructure
• Water/wastewater infrastructure
• Engineered‑to‑order manufacturing
• Other complex fabricated or engineered products

Impact and collaboration

Winners think beyond takeoffs. You’ll connect design intent to real manufacturing processes, challenge assumptions, surface risks early, and shape competitive, commercially sound bids by partnering directly with engineers, plant teams, project managers, and sales.

About Thompson Pipe Group

We are a privately held, family‑owned manufacturer and one of North America’s largest and most diverse providers of drainage, sanitary, pressure, and trenchless pipe products. Our U.S. manufacturing footprint supports major water, wastewater, transportation, and infrastructure projects across the continent.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits
• Life and Supplemental Life Insurance
• Company‑Matched 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Paid Holidays
• Training and Professional Development
• Employee Discounts
• Career Growth Opportunities

Proficiency highlight: You should be proficient in: take off