Job Purpose:
The Senior Industrial Engineer serves as the technical lead for estimating and quoting customer projects within a metal fabrication environment. This role combines deep process engineering expertise with strong analytical and commercial skills to develop accurate cost models, assess manufacturability, and guide strategic pricing decisions. The engineer collaborates with Sales, Operations, Engineering, and customers to ensure quotes are competitive, achievable, and aligned with production capabilities. This position also drives continuous improvement in estimating accuracy, production efficiency, and cost visibility across the organization.
Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities:
Quoting & Estimating Leadership
Lead the quoting and estimation process for complex metal fabrication jobs, including laser cutting, forming, welding, machining, assembly, and finishing operations.
Interpret customer drawings, specifications, CAD models, and requirements to develop accurate time, labor, and material estimates.
Build and maintain labor standards, cost models, and process routing templates for quoting.
Evaluate manufacturability and identify risk areas, alternative processes, or design modifications that reduce cost or improve production efficiency.
Provide clear, detailed quote packages and present recommendations to leadership and Sales teams.
Process Engineering & Optimization
Develop and refine production routings, standard cycle times, and capacity models.
Analyze shop-floor data to validate estimating assumptions and continuously improve cost accuracy.
Recommend tooling, fixtures, equipment, and process improvements that increase throughput and reduce waste.
Support Lean/CI initiatives such as workflow optimization, layout improvements, and reduction of non-value-added activity.
Commercial & Cross-Functional Collaboration
Work closely with Sales to understand customer expectations, lead times, and commercial priorities.
Engage with customers to clarify requirements, suggest alternatives, and improve manufacturability of parts.
Partner with Operations, Quality, and Engineering to ensure estimated processes align with actual capabilities and resources.
Assist in prioritizing and selecting new business opportunities based on shop capacity, profitability, and strategic fit.
Data Analysis & Cost Management
Maintain and improve cost databases, material multipliers, labor rates, and overhead structures used in quoting.
Track quote performance versus actuals to identify gaps and implement corrective actions.
Provide profitability analysis and pricing guidance for repeat and long-term customer programs.
Support make-vs-buy decisions, outsourcing strategies, and RFQs to suppliers when needed.
Requirements:
Bachelors degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
710+ years of experience in metal fabrication (laser, CNC machining, forming, welding, assembly).
Proven expertise in quoting/estimating fabrication jobs, including building routings and time studies.
Strong understanding of manufacturing cost structures, including labor, overhead, materials, and margin modeling.
Advanced proficiency in CAD interpretation; familiarity with CAM and nesting software is a plus.
Deep knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and process optimization.
Exceptional analytical, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in a contract metal fabrication or job-shop environment.
Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems (routing creation, cost roll-ups, BOM review).
Experience interfacing directly with customers on technical and commercial issues.
Background in value engineering, DFM/DFA, or cost-reduction initiatives.
Strong Excel modeling skills or experience with estimating/quoting software.