Cost Estimator Jobs in the United States

About Canopy Aerospace & Defense

Canopy A&D is built to accelerate the future of advanced materials for space, defense, and maritime systems. Canopy delivers specialized materials and components that carry customers from concept through sustainment. Canopy A&D’s advanced signal attenuation technologies and production-scale manufacturing accelerate the fielding of platforms that are faster, cooler, and quieter. Our adaptive approach ensures solutions evolve at the pace of shifting challenges, keeping our customers ahead of the curve.

MSM Industries, LLC has been a trusted partner to the U.S. Navy and its prime contractors for over 20 years. As an ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing business, we specialize in advanced material solutions for signature reduction, vibration and acoustic management, and environmental control. MSM also serves as a high-performance system integration and assembly provider for key customers. With in-house manufacturing and a track record for on-time, high-quality deliveries, MSM is known for innovation, reliability, and rapid response to complex program needs. 

Role Overview:

The Manufacturing and Cost Estimator at MSM Industries is responsible for preparing accurate, timely, and competitive cost estimates and quotations for defense, maritime, space, and aerospace manufacturing programs. This is a high-ownership role, where you will directly communicate with customers and build proposal packages on the bedrock of strong technical manufacturing strategies.

This role evaluates customer requirements, drawings, material specifications, and engineering data to determine labor, tooling, raw material, compression molding, precision machining, laser processing, and specialized finishing requirements

Working collaboratively with Growth, Program Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and external vendors, the Estimator ensures quotes align with customer expectations, plant capacity, manufacturing capabilities, and strategic business goals.

This position requires solid technical knowledge of elastomeric, polymer, composite, and large structural assembly fabrication processes in a fast-paced defense and aerospace manufacturing environment

• Organize and prepare quotes and proposals packages for customers in formats such as MS PowerPoint, MS Word, and Epicor ERP system and coordinating input from business development, engineering, and operations stakeholders.
• Manufacturing Process Planning: Identify routing steps and operational sequences across core processes—including polymer/rubber molding, urethane/silicone casting, composite lamination/bonding, CNC machining/routing, laser cutting, and subsystem kitting/assembly.
• Review customer RFQs, drawings, specifications, blueprints, and related documentation to determine scope of work and requirements.
• Develop manufacturing plans by identifying required processes, equipment, tooling, programming requirements, setup operations, materials, labor hours, and outside processing needs.
• Prepare accurate cost estimates and quotations based on established labor rates, overhead rates, material costs, and supplier pricing.
• Evaluate manufacturing requirements for CNC machining, fabrication, composites, and other aerospace manufacturing processes.
• Identify and obtain pricing from approved outside processing suppliers based on customer and drawing requirements.
• Interpret technical specifications, quality clauses, material requirements, and customer requirements to identify potential risks and ensure compliance.
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to understand production capabilities and develop effective manufacturing approaches.
• Prepare formal price and delivery quotations for internal and external customers.
• Communicate with customers, suppliers, and internal teams regarding quotations, requirements, and project updates.
• Follow up on open RFQs and proposals, updating quotations as needed.
• Maintain accurate RFQ and proposal tracking records to support reporting and key performance indicators.
• Support the development and maintenance of work instructions for new and existing programs.
• Perform risk assessments and identify potential cost, schedule, and manufacturing challenges.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with customers and suppliers.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and estimating process improvements.
• Follow 5S standards and adhere to all health, safety, and environmental guidelines.
• Support cross-functional operations as needed.

• Must have professional working proficiency reading, writing, and speaking English
• Ability to work in office, lab, and manufacturing environments with occasional exposure to noise, chemicals, dust, industrial equipment, and temperature variations
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working at a computer workstation
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for data entry, keyboarding, and mouse use
• Ability to view computer screens for prolonged periods
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and via email
• Ability to use a computer to complete assignments 

Type: Full Time Exempt

Hours: Core Business Hours Monday through Friday. Schedule and overtime may vary based on business needs.

Base Salary Range: $75,000 - $90,000  

Base Location: Riverside, CA - 100% onsite

Travel: Occasional travel may be required based on business needs.

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Total compensation will also include a comprehensive set of benefits including but not limited to: Company paid employee medical, dental and vision insurance. 401K company match (eligibility required), paid sick leave, paid vacation, paid holidays and discretionary bonuses.

EXPORT CONTROL REQUIREMENTS:

To conform to US Government export regulations, the applicant must be a (i) US Citizen, (ii) lawful permanent resident of the U.S. (aka green card holder), (iii) protected individual as defined by U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or (iv) eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Canopy A&D is an Equal Opportunity Employer, employment with Canopy A&D is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.