Estimator – Fabrication & Machining
Salary: Competitive, depending on experience
Ashland Engineering Ltd is looking to recruit an experienced and commercially aware Estimator with a strong background in fabrication and machining.
This is an important role within the business. We are looking for someone who understands how to assess enquiries properly, interpret drawings and specifications, price work accurately, protect margin, and help convert opportunities into profitable jobs.
The ideal person will already have several years of estimating experience within an engineering, fabrication, machining, or manufacturing environment and will be confident dealing with customer enquiries from initial review through to quotation and handover into production.
The Role
You will be responsible for reviewing incoming enquiries, assessing technical and commercial requirements, preparing accurate and competitive quotations, and supporting the smooth handover of accepted jobs into production.
You will work closely with sales, design support, and production to ensure quotes are commercially sound, technically clear, and aligned with the company’s capabilities.
Key Responsibilities
- Review incoming enquiries for fabrication, machining, and general engineering work
- Interpret customer drawings, specifications, and technical information
- Prepare accurate costings for labour, materials, subcontract processes, machining, fabrication, finishing, and bought-out items
- Assess manufacturability and highlight any missing or unclear information before quoting
- Liaise with customers where required to clarify scope, specifications, quantities, lead times, and commercial details
- Produce clear, professional, and commercially sound quotations
- Ensure margin is properly understood and protected on every quote
- Work with internal teams where design input is needed to support complex enquiries
- Revise quotations where scope, quantities, or specifications change
- Track quote status and support follow-up where needed
- Prepare clear handover information for production once jobs are won
- Help improve estimating systems, quote turnaround times, and pricing accuracy over time
What We Are Looking For
- Several years of experience as an Estimator within fabrication, machining, general engineering, sheet metal, or manufacturing
- Strong experience pricing both fabrication jobs and machining jobs
- Experience working from engineering drawings, customer specifications, and technical documents
- Good understanding of materials, processes, labour content, subcontract operations, and production methods
- Strong commercial awareness with the ability to balance competitiveness and profitability
- Ability to identify risks, missing details, and pricing assumptions before quotes are issued
- Excellent attention to detail and strong numerical ability
- Good communication skills and confidence dealing with both customers and internal teams
- Organised and able to manage multiple enquiries at different stages
- Strong IT skills and confidence using estimating, MRP, ERP, or job management software
- A practical understanding of how estimated jobs move into production
Desirable
- Experience in a fabrication and machining environment
- Experience with CNC, welded fabrications, structural or bespoke metalwork, assemblies, and subcontract processes
- Experience working with MRP or production planning systems
- Experience helping improve quote processes, handovers, and commercial systems
- Ability to support continuous improvement in estimating accuracy and turnaround times
The Person
We are looking for someone who is:
- commercially strong
- technically competent
- reliable and organised
- proactive
- confident under pressure
- able to work closely with sales and production
- serious about quality, accuracy, and protecting margin
You should be the type of person who can look at an enquiry, understand what is needed, ask the right questions, and turn it into a well-structured quotation that gives the business the best chance of winning profitable work.
Why Join Ashland Engineering Ltd?
This is a great opportunity to join a growing engineering business where your work will have a direct impact on the workflow and growth.
You will play a key role in helping the business win the right type of work, improve quote quality, and support the smooth transition of jobs from enquiry to production.
To Apply
Please apply with your CV and email your CV to [email protected] and include a short note outlining your experience in estimating fabrication and machining work.
Candidates without relevant estimating experience in engineering, fabrication, or machining are unlikely to be considered.
Pay: £37,000.00-£60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
