Mechanical Estimator

Job Title: Mechanical Estimator Job Description
We are seeking a detail-oriented and technically proficient Mechanical Estimator to support the sales and purchasing teams by preparing accurate, timely, and competitive bids. This behind-the-scenes role is critical to ensuring fast turnaround on customer requests and maintaining high standards of technical execution. The Mechanical Estimator will primarily work onsite but will occasionally engage directly with customers, attend trade shows, and visit job sites across the country, while gaining exposure to a broad range of metal fabrication and manufacturing projects.
Responsibilities
- Develop and prepare detailed cost estimates and bid proposals using Excel, estimating software, and other tools.
- Review customer specifications, technical documents, and drawings to identify project scope, materials, and requirements.
- Collaborate closely with sales representatives, purchasing, and technical staff to gather accurate input for quoting and proposals.
- Ensure timely delivery of bids and proposals, often working under tight deadlines and fast turnaround expectations.
- Maintain, update, and improve pricing databases, templates, and estimation tools to support consistent and reliable quoting.
- Track and report on bid status, including win/loss rates, turnaround times, and other key performance indicators.
- Communicate with customers indirectly via email, phone, and through sales representatives to clarify requirements and follow up on bids.
- Occasionally attend trade shows and customer job sites across the country to support sales efforts and gather project information.
- Support project management activities related to awarded bids, ensuring estimates align with project execution requirements.
- Work on the manufacturing floor to gain an understanding of products, processes, and capabilities relevant to mechanical, electrical, and construction-related projects.
- Capture high-quality photos of products and processes on the shop floor for use in marketing materials.
- Contribute to proposals and bidding strategies for projects in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, and defense.
- Collaborate with internal teams to ensure that estimates reflect current manufacturing methods, powder coating capabilities, and metal fabrication processes.
Essential Skills
- Demonstrated experience preparing cost estimates and bid proposals in a manufacturing, mechanical, construction, or related environment.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel for building and managing estimates, pricing sheets, and bid templates.
- Ability to read and understand technical drawings, specifications, and project documentation.
- Familiarity with mechanical and electrical concepts relevant to manufacturing and construction projects.
- Experience using estimating software or similar tools to support bidding and proposal development.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple bids and deadlines simultaneously.
- Effective communication skills for collaborating with sales, purchasing, technical staff, and customers via email and phone.
- Customer service mindset with the ability to support sales efforts and respond promptly to customer requests.
- Basic project management skills to ensure alignment between estimates, scope, and execution.
- Attention to detail and accuracy in calculations, documentation, and reporting.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Manufacturing background, particularly in metal fabrication, is highly beneficial.
- Experience with powder coating processes and terminology is a strong plus.
- Ability to take high-quality photos of products and processes for marketing purposes.
- Exposure to construction-related estimating, bidding, or proposals is advantageous.
- Familiarity with CAD drawings and software is a plus for reviewing and interpreting technical designs.
- Experience supporting projects in automotive, aerospace, or defense sectors is an asset.
- Comfort attending trade shows and visiting customer job sites to support sales and gather project information.
- Interest in growing a career within the metal fabrication and manufacturing space, working alongside an established design and manufacturing team.
Work Environment
This role is based onsite in a large manufacturing facility located in Vancouver. The Mechanical Estimator works primarily in a cubicle setting alongside the sales and purchasing team, with regular interaction with the production floor to understand products and processes. The facility includes multiple spray booths capable of handling work from automotive applications up to aerospace and defense projects, providing exposure to a wide range of manufacturing activities. The position involves standard office-based computer work using Excel and estimating software, combined with time on the shop floor to observe operations and capture product photos for marketing. Occasional travel may be required for trade shows and job site visits. The environment supports collaboration with an established design and manufacturing team and offers opportunities to learn and grow within the metal fabrication and manufacturing industry. Paid time off includes a week of PTO, 5 sick days, and 6 holidays.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Vancouver, WA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $45.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Vancouver,WA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 14, 2026. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without
regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,
sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected
by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or
adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,
please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the
city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants
with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a
condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law
shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,
including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications
and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you
acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.