Estimator

About the Role

Trueline's client, a rapidly growing custom metal fabrication company serving major industrial customers, is seeking a Senior Fabrication Estimator to join their team east of Dallas, Texas. This office-based role is ideal for an experienced estimator who can independently translate drawings and specifications into accurate material, labor, and production costs while helping the company protect margins and win profitable work.

What You'll Do

• Review customer drawings, specifications, RFQs, and supporting documents to understand the complete fabrication scope.
• Perform detailed material takeoffs for sheet metal, plate, structural components, weldments, and purchased items.
• Estimate shop labor for cutting, forming, welding, rolling, sawing, finishing, assembly, inspection, and other fabrication processes.
• Account for setup time, material utilization, scrap, fixtures, tooling, outside processing, freight, and project-specific risks.
• Request and evaluate supplier and subcontractor pricing when outside materials or services are required.
• Prepare clear, accurate, and competitive quotes that reflect the full project scope and protect expected margins.
• Identify missing information, drawing conflicts, and scope risks before quotes are submitted.
• Collaborate with engineering, purchasing, project management, and production teams to validate assumptions.
• Update estimates when drawings, quantities, materials, or customer requirements change.
• Compare completed-project results against estimates and use those findings to improve future pricing.

Requirements

• Proven senior-level estimating experience within custom metal fabrication, industrial manufacturing, structural steel, sheet metal, or a related environment.
• Expert-level ability to complete material takeoffs and calculate realistic fabrication labor hours.
• Strong understanding of welding, cutting, forming, machining, assembly, and metal finishing processes.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, blueprints, bills of material, and fabrication specifications.
• Working knowledge of carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and other commonly fabricated materials.
• Understanding of material yield, scrap, shop capacity, production routing, and labor productivity.
• Ability to independently develop complete estimates without relying on production leaders to calculate the work.
• Strong mathematical, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Clear communication skills and the confidence to question incomplete or inconsistent project information.
• Ability to work from the company's office in Kemp, Texas.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience estimating light-to-medium industrial fabrication projects.
• Background in a custom, job-shop, contract manufacturing, or engineer-to-order environment.
• Experience with laser cutting, CNC press brakes, plate processing, certified welding, powder coating, and outside processing.
• Experience working in a quality-controlled or certified manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with estimating software, ERP or MRP systems, Bluebeam, CAD viewers, and advanced Excel tools.
• Previous experience working directly with customers, suppliers, or project managers during the quoting process.
• Experience improving estimating templates, labor standards, costing tools, or quote-review processes.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary of $90,000–$110,000, based on experience and estimating capabilities.
• Performance-driven bonus opportunity connected to company growth.
• Health insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• A high-impact role with direct influence on pricing, profitability, and business growth.
• Exposure to varied industrial fabrication projects and manufacturing processes.
• The resources and production capabilities of an established fabrication operation.
• A stable, office-based position with close access to engineering and shop-floor teams.
• The opportunity to join a company undergoing significant expansion.