Estimation & Costing Manager

Job description

Position: Estimation & Costing Manager

Experience: 8 to 15 years

Education: BE/BTech in Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Working hours/days: 8.30 hours/Monday-Saturday

Location: Tuniki Bollaram, Hyderabad

Number of Positions: 1

We are seeking a highly experienced Manager – Estimation & Costing to lead the costing function for aerospace and automotive machining and sheet-metal stamping projects. The manager will oversee the evaluation of customer RFQs, guide the preparation of accurate cost models, and ensure competitive and profitable quotations. This leadership role requires strong technical expertise, exposure to CNC and fabrication environments, and the ability to drive standardization, efficiency, and cross-functional collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

Technical & Cost Estimation

• Lead the review and analysis of customer RFQs, engineering drawings (2D/3D), 3D models, and technical specifications to determine manufacturing feasibility.
• Provide expert-level interpretation of GD&T, tolerances, surface finishes, CTQs, and manufacturability constraints.
• Oversee preparation of detailed cost sheets for CNC machining (turning, milling, drilling) and sheet metal stamping operations.
• Approve cycle-time estimates, tooling requirements, die/tool costs (for stamping), and fixture and jig requirements.
• Evaluate raw material requirements, utilization, scrap allowance, and buy sizes, ensuring optimal material costing.
• Validate and release quotation documents, including cost breakdowns, margins, and commercial assumptions.
• Review customer change requests and support re-costing exercises as required.

Cross-Functional Coordination & Leadership

• Lead coordination with production, quality, purchase, and tool room teams to gather accurate operational inputs.
• Guide and mentor the costing team in technical interpretation, estimation techniques, and process development.
• Collaborate with the sales team during techno-commercial discussions and customer negotiations.
• Engage with customers to clarify RFQs, address technical queries, and align cost assumptions with requirements.
• Ensure timely submission of cost estimates and quotations within defined lead times.

Process Improvement & Standardization

• Standardize costing methodologies, templates, and estimation tools for consistency across RFQs.
• Maintain, monitor, and periodically update a comprehensive cost database for materials, tooling, machine rates, and overheads.
• Drive continuous improvement in estimation accuracy through data-driven analysis and benchmarking.
• Provide DFM (Design for Manufacturability) recommendations to enhance manufacturability and reduce cost.
• Support ERP/MRP integration for automated costing workflows.

Required Skills & Experience

• Diploma / BE / BTech in Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering.
• 5–10+ years of experience in:

CNC machining shops OR

Sheet metal stamping OR

Aerospace / automotive component manufacturing.

• Strong expertise in interpreting engineering drawings and GD&T.
• In-depth knowledge of machining operations, tool selection, feeds/speeds, cycle-time estimation, and process planning.
• Solid understanding of stamping processes including die types, tonnage calculations, strip layout, and process flow.
• Proven experience preparing and validating detailed cost sheets, cost models, and customer quotations.
• Good understanding of materials (aluminum, steels, stainless steel, alloys).
• High proficiency in MS Excel; exposure to CAM software (Mastercam, SolidCAM, etc.) preferred.
• Strong communication, documentation, and customer interaction skills.

Additional Skills (Preferred)

• Exposure to AS9100 or IATF 16949 quality management environments.
• Experience working with ERP/MRP costing modules.
• Ability to provide DFM inputs and optimize product cost.
• Strong analytical, leadership, and problem-solving skills.