Project Manager

About the role

Hughes Brothers Aircrafters Inc is hiring a Customer Service Estimator to turn aerospace customer requests into accurate, competitive quotes for metal forming and CNC machining work. You will review contract terms, drawings, specifications, statements of work and related technical documents, then build the work flow, labor and material estimates our shop uses to quote and plan the job.

This is a hands-on role for someone who knows how parts actually get made on the shop floor. You will be the link between customers, engineering, production and quality, making sure every quote reflects real requirements and a realistic path to delivery.

Education

A college degree is not required. We value proven shop and estimating experience.

Key responsibilities

Review customer RFQs, purchase orders and contract terms, including flow-down clauses, quality requirements, delivery terms and special conditions. Interpret engineering drawings, models, specifications and GD&T to define the scope of each part or assembly. Read statements of work and technical data packages to identify all required processes, inspections, certifications and deliverables.

Develop the manufacturing work flow (routing) for metal forming, CNC machining, fabrication and assembly operations. Estimate setup and run times, labor hours, material, tooling, fixturing, outside processing (heat treat, plating, paint, NDT) and first article inspection. Build complete cost estimates and prepare quotes that are accurate, competitive and delivered on time.

Identify technical risks, ambiguities and exceptions in customer documents and raise clarifying questions with customers. Work with engineering, production, purchasing and quality to confirm manufacturability, capacity and lead times. Request and evaluate supplier quotes for materials and outside services. Serve as a customer point of contact for quote status, revisions, change orders and pricing questions.

Maintain estimating records and compare actual job performance to estimates to improve future accuracy. Support contract review and order entry so quoted assumptions carry into production. Required qualifications 5+ years of experience in metal fabrication, CNC machining, sheet metal forming or a related manufacturing environment.

Hands-on experience with aerospace parts and assemblies. Strong ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, specifications and GD&T. Working knowledge of metal forming and CNC processes, including setup, run time, tooling and common secondary operations. Experience reviewing statements of work, contract terms or technical data packages.

Familiarity with aerospace quality requirements such as AS9100, first article inspection (AS9102) and material certifications. Solid math skills and proficiency with Microsoft Excel. Clear written and verbal communication with customers and internal teams. Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple quotes against deadlines.

High school diploma or equivalent. A college degree is not required. Must be a U.S. person as defined by ITAR, due to access to export-controlled technical data.

Preferred qualifications

2+ years in a dedicated estimating, quoting or customer service role in an aerospace or defense shop. Experience with ERP/MRP systems (for example, JobBOSS, Epicor, Plex or SAP). Ability to view and interrogate 3D CAD models (SolidWorks, CATIA or similar). Knowledge of aerospace materials such as aluminum, titanium, stainless and Inconel, and their forming and machining behavior.

Familiarity with DFARS and FAR flow-down clauses. Machinist, programmer or fabrication lead background. Work environment Full-time, on-site position split between the office and the production floor. Regular interaction with customers, engineering, production and quality teams. May require occasional lifting of up to 25 lbs and walking the shop floor in required PPE.

Hughes Brothers Aircrafters is an equal opportunity employer.