CNC Estimator

This is a full-time, permanent CNC Estimator role based in Portsmouth, Hampshire, with a salary of £45,000 to £60,000 per annum depending on experience. The position involves reviewing customer enquiries and producing accurate, commercially competitive quotations, with a primary focus on CNC-machined components covering both milling and turning. The role is customer-facing and requires a strong understanding of CNC machining processes, including reading and interpreting engineering drawings, understanding manufacturing requirements, and assessing how components can be produced efficiently and cost-effectively. Experience of estimating tooling, fixtures or associated engineering work would be advantageous but is not essential.

Location: Portsmouth, Hampshire
Salary: Up to £60,000 DOE
Type: Full-time, Permanent

About the Company

Our client is an established precision engineering business based in Portsmouth, specialising in complex CNC machining and precision-engineered components. Their capabilities include 3- and 5-axis CNC milling, CNC turning, EDM and specialist tooling, supplying customers across sectors including aerospace, motorsport, automotive, defence, marine and medical.

The Role

We are looking for an experienced CNC Estimator to join the team, with responsibility for reviewing customer enquiries and producing accurate, commercially competitive quotations.

This is a customer-facing role where a strong understanding of CNC machining processes is essential. You will be comfortable reading and interpreting engineering drawings, understanding manufacturing requirements and assessing how components can be produced efficiently and cost-effectively.

The role will primarily focus on quoting CNC-machined components, covering both milling and turning. Experience of estimating tooling, fixtures or associated engineering work would be advantageous but is not essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Review customer enquiries, RFQs, engineering drawings and technical specifications.
• Prepare accurate and commercially competitive quotations for CNC-machined components.
• Assess drawings to understand machining requirements, tolerances, materials, quantities and complexity.
• Estimate machining times, material, tooling, subcontract processes and other associated costs.
• Quote across CNC milling and CNC turning requirements.
• Liaise with customers to clarify technical and commercial requirements.
• Work closely with production and engineering teams to establish the most efficient manufacturing route.
• Identify potential manufacturing issues or cost risks at quotation stage.
• Support the business in developing competitive and commercially viable solutions.
• Maintain accurate quotation records and follow enquiries through to order.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships through a professional and technically credible approach.

Candidate Requirements

Essential:

• Previous experience in an estimator / quotations role within CNC machining or precision engineering.
• Strong understanding of CNC milling and turning processes.
• Confident reading and interpreting engineering drawings and technical specifications.
• Ability to assess machining requirements and establish realistic manufacturing costs and lead times.
• Good understanding of materials, tooling, machining operations and production methods.
• Strong commercial awareness and attention to detail.
• Confident communicating with customers and internal engineering/production teams.
• Able to manage multiple RFQs and prioritise quotations effectively.

Desirable:

• Experience estimating tooling, fixtures or specialist machining projects.
• Knowledge of 3-, 4- or 5-axis machining.
• Experience within precision engineering, aerospace, motorsport, automotive or defence.
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP or quotation systems.

What We're Looking For

This role would suit someone with a strong CNC machining background who has moved into estimating, or an experienced CNC estimator who is confident technically as well as commercially.

The most important thing is the ability to look at an engineering drawing and understand what is involved in manufacturing the component, how it should be machined and what it is realistically going to cost.

You will also need to be comfortable dealing directly with customers and discussing technical requirements rather than simply producing quotes from a predefined costing system.

If this is you, please submit your CV and a member of the recruitment team will be in touch as soon as possible.