What are the responsibilities and job description for the Cost Estimator position at Penn Engineering?
About Us
Link Tool Group is a tool and die job shop serving the cold forming industry. We build precision tooling to customer prints in small lots (typically 5–25 pieces), working mainly in hardened tool steel and carbide. Our shop runs lathes, mills, OD and ID grinders, ram and wire EDM, and provides assembly work.
Position Summary
The Cost Estimator turns customer requests into accurate, competitive, profitable quotes. This person reviews prints, decides whether we can make the part, plans the routing, and estimates the time at each operation. They use historical job data to price new and repeat work, keep an eye on shop workload to set realistic lead times, and are the main point of contact for customers and vendors during quoting. Machining or toolmaking experience is a strong foundation for this role; we will train on our systems and customers.
Key Responsibilities
Quote Development
- Review incoming requests for quote (RFQs), customer prints, specifications, and models for completeness and clarity.
- Read and interpret tooling blueprints, including GD&T, tolerances, surface finishes, material grades, and heat-treat or coating requirements.
- Assess manufacturability and flag features that drive risk or cost; recommend alternatives to the customer when appropriate.
- Build the manufacturing routing and estimate setup and run time at each operation: turning, milling, OD/ID grinding, ram and wire EDM, heat treat, and die assembly.
- Price materials (tool steel, carbide blanks), outside services (heat treat, coating, etc.), and purchased components.
- Prepare and send quotes in Paperless Parts in a timely, consistent manner.
Historical Analysis & Pricing
- Pull and analyze job history in JDE (actual hours, material, and outside costs vs. quoted) to check estimate accuracy.
- Review repeat work and recommend price changes where actual costs, material prices, or methods have changed.
- Compare new requests to similar past jobs to improve speed and accuracy of estimates.
- Maintain and improve estimating standards (time standards, rates, and templates) based on actual results.
Customer & Quoting Strategy
- Learn each customer’s needs, buying patterns, and expectations for price, lead time, and quality.
- Develop and apply a quoting strategy tailored to each customer and opportunity.
- Communicate with customers to clarify requirements, resolve print questions, and follow up on outstanding quotes.
- Request and evaluate pricing and lead times from material suppliers and outside service vendors.
Shop Coordination & Lead Times
- Track overall shop workload and capacity by work center to set realistic, achievable lead times.
- Work with the manufacturing team to confirm feasibility, methods, and lead times on complex or unusual work.
- Provide a clear handoff of quote assumptions to production when orders are received.
Quote Management
- Manage all open quotes in Paperless Parts, knowing the status of each and what information is still needed.
- Track and understand win/loss results and reasons and use this data to inform future quotes.
- Report on quote activity, turnaround time, and hit rate as requested.
Work Environment
Office-based with regular time on the shop floor to review parts, methods, and progress with the manufacturing team. Safety glasses and standard shop PPE required on the floor.