Estimator / Senior Estimator – Heavy Industrial Fabrication

Location: Evansville, Indiana

Employment Type: Full-Time, Direct Hire

Work Arrangement: 100% Onsite

Compensation:

• Estimator: Up to $105,000 annually
• Senior Estimator: Up to $125,000 annually, plus bonus

Compensation is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Estimator or Senior Estimator to join an established industrial fabrication company specializing in large-scale, custom-engineered metal fabrication.

Our client manufactures complex, often one-of-a-kind fabricated steel assemblies and industrial components for heavy industrial, infrastructure, marine, and manufacturing applications. Projects may include large pressure vessels, industrial storage tanks, heavy structural assemblies, large-diameter piping, and other specialized fabricated equipment.

This position requires someone who understands how complex fabrication projects are actually built, not simply how to calculate material quantities. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in fabrication processes, welding, machining, material requirements, and production labor costs.

The successful candidate will work closely with engineering, production, purchasing, vendors, and customers to develop accurate, competitive estimates for technically demanding fabrication projects.

We are open to hiring at either the Estimator or Senior Estimator level, depending on the candidate's technical expertise, industry experience, and ability to independently manage complex estimating projects.

This is a fully onsite position in Evansville, Indiana. Local candidates are strongly preferred, and applicants must be comfortable working in an active industrial fabrication shop environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Review and interpret complex engineering drawings, fabrication specifications, scopes of work, applicable codes, standards, and customer requirements.
• Develop comprehensive cost estimates for large-scale, custom metal fabrication projects, including complex welded structures, industrial equipment, and specialized assemblies.
• Estimate fabrication labor requirements for cutting, rolling, bending, forming, fitting, welding, machining, assembly, finishing, and other manufacturing operations.
• Evaluate material requirements, including structural steel, heavy plate, piping, and specialty metals, to determine accurate quantities and costs.
• Develop preliminary manufacturing routings and production plans to identify the labor, equipment, materials, and subcontracted services necessary to complete each project.
• Assess fabrication methods, shop capabilities, production schedules, and technical challenges to determine realistic costs and delivery timelines.
• Identify potential risks, unclear specifications, and complex manufacturing requirements that could affect project costs or execution.
• Coordinate with suppliers, vendors, and subcontractors to obtain competitive pricing for materials, machining, coatings, specialty processes, and outside services.
• Collaborate with production, engineering, procurement, scheduling, project management, and quality control personnel to validate estimates and evaluate project requirements.
• Account for applicable testing, inspection, quality assurance, documentation, and certification requirements.
• Prepare detailed customer quotations and proposals outlining estimated costs, project scope, assumptions, inclusions, exclusions, and delivery schedules.
• Communicate directly with customers to clarify technical requirements and discuss fabrication capabilities.
• Follow up on outstanding quotations and assist business development in converting opportunities into awarded projects.
• Review purchase orders and awarded contracts to verify consistency with quoted pricing, scope, schedules, and terms.
• Maintain strong working relationships with customers, vendors, and internal manufacturing personnel.

Additional Senior Estimator Responsibilities

• Lead estimating efforts for complex, technically demanding, or high-value fabrication projects.
• Prioritize estimating opportunities and coordinate estimating schedules.
• Provide technical guidance and support to other estimating and manufacturing personnel.
• Evaluate project risks, manufacturing alternatives, and opportunities to improve estimating accuracy and profitability.
• Work closely with business development and management on pricing strategies, customer expectations, and project opportunities.

Required Qualifications

• Substantial industry experience in heavy industrial fabrication, custom metal fabrication, or closely related manufacturing environments.
• Strong understanding of the processes, equipment, materials, and labor involved in manufacturing large, complex, custom-fabricated assemblies.
• Demonstrated experience developing detailed fabrication estimates from engineering drawings, specifications, and project requirements.
• Ability to accurately evaluate material requirements, welding and fabrication labor, machining, assembly, subcontracted services, and production costs.
• Experience interpreting complex technical drawings and understanding how fabrication requirements translate into actual shop operations.
• Strong analytical, mathematical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating closely with production, engineering, and business development personnel.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Associate's degree in Welding, Machining, Drafting, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent relevant industry experience.

Experience Guidelines

Estimator – Up to $105,000

• Typically 10 or more years of fabrication industry experience.
• At least 2 years of professional estimating experience.
• Strong working knowledge of fabrication processes and the ability to independently prepare accurate project estimates.
• Experience with custom metal fabrication, industrial equipment, or complex welded assemblies.

Senior Estimator – Up to $125,000 Plus Bonus

• Typically 10 or more years of fabrication industry experience.
• At least 5 years of professional estimating experience.
• Extensive knowledge of complex industrial fabrication methods and manufacturing costs.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage technically demanding estimates and coordinate estimating activities.
• Strong understanding of project risks, manufacturing constraints, and pricing considerations.

Candidates with fewer years of experience but substantial, directly relevant expertise in complex custom fabrication will also be considered. Demonstrated technical competency and a thorough understanding of fabrication processes are especially important.

Preferred Experience

Candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas are particularly encouraged to apply:

• Heavy industrial and custom steel fabrication
• Pressure vessels and industrial storage tanks
• Heavy plate fabrication, rolling, forming, and welding
• Large industrial equipment and custom-manufactured assemblies
• Heavy structural steel fabrication
• Industrial piping, ductwork, and complex welded structures
• Marine, shipyard, bridge, or heavy infrastructure fabrication
• Custom machining and fabrication of large steel components
• ASME, API, or AWWA fabrication requirements
• Specialty metals, alloys, and complex welding processes
• Tekla PowerFab estimating software
• Procore project management software

Experience with custom, low-volume fabrication projects is particularly valuable.

Work Environment

This position combines office-based estimating responsibilities with regular interaction with an active industrial fabrication shop.

Candidates must be comfortable working closely with shop personnel, reviewing manufacturing operations, and evaluating the practical requirements of large fabrication projects.

The position requires daily onsite attendance at the Evansville, Indiana facility. Occasional travel for meetings or training may be required.

Compensation & Opportunity

We are considering candidates at two experience levels:

Estimator

• Annual base salary up to $105,000, depending on qualifications.

Senior Estimator

• Annual base salary up to $125,000, depending on qualifications.
• Additional bonus opportunity.

This is an opportunity to join an established industrial fabrication operation and play an important role in estimating and securing complex, custom manufacturing projects.

Qualified candidates who have a strong understanding of fabrication operations and enjoy the technical challenges of estimating large, specialized projects are encouraged to apply.

Apply today for immediate consideration.