Internship Plating Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Company Description:
Founded in Cleveland in 1944, WLS specializes in short and medium run metal stamping, fabrication and laser cutting to service a wide variety of industries.
About the role:
The Quoting Engineer is responsible for preparing accurate and competitive cost estimates and quotations for metal stamping, fabrication, welding, and assembly opportunities. This position reviews customer RFQs, engineering drawings, and specifications to determine manufacturing feasibility, tooling requirements, material costs, labor content, and production processes. The Quoting Engineer works closely with sales, engineering, production, quality, and purchasing teams to ensure quotations align with company capabilities, profitability goals, and customer requirements.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Review customer RFQs, prints, CAD models, specifications, and statements of work.
• Analyze part designs for manufacturability and recommend cost-effective manufacturing methods.
• Develop detailed cost estimates for:
o Progressive and transfer die stamping
o Laser cutting and turret punching
o CNC forming and bending
o Robotic and manual welding
o Secondary operations and assembly
o Tooling and fixtures
o Material and purchased components
o Packaging and freight
• Calculate material utilization, scrap rates, cycle times, labor standards, and machine rates.
• Determine tooling requirements, including progressive dies, transfer dies, fixtures, and secondary operation tooling.
• Obtain and evaluate supplier quotes for raw materials, purchased components, coatings, plating, heat treating, and outsourced operations.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, tooling, quality, and maintenance personnel to validate production assumptions and capacities.
• Prepare and submit accurate quotations within customer deadlines.
• Support customer meetings and technical discussions regarding cost, manufacturability, and process recommendations.
• Track awarded business and compare actual manufacturing costs against quoted estimates.
• Assist with continuous improvement, value engineering, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Maintain quotation records and costing databases within the ERP system.
• Support APQP activities, program launches, and engineering changes as required.
Required Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field; or equivalent manufacturing experience.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in estimating, quoting, manufacturing engineering, or cost analysis within a metal stamping or fabrication environment.
• Strong understanding of:
o Metal stamping operations
o Sheet metal fabrication processes
o Welding and assembly processes
o Tooling and die construction
o Manufacturing cost structures
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and customer specifications.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and ERP/MRP systems.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience in automotive, heavy truck, agricultural, appliance, or industrial manufacturing.
• Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, and IATF 16949 requirements.
• Familiarity with steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and other sheet metal materials.
• Experience with quoting software, CAD systems, and manufacturing simulation tools.
• Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement experience.
Key Competencies
• Cost Estimating & Analysis
• Metal Stamping Expertise
• Fabrication Process Knowledge
• Tooling & Die Costing
• Project Management
• Manufacturing Feasibility Assessment
• Customer Focus
• Negotiation Support
• Attention to Detail
• Cross-Functional Collaboration We are looking for Mechanical Engineering students in their Junior or Senior year, with a strong interest in Manufacturing. As a small company, projects will have a wide breadth including: 3D/2D modeling, tooling design, lean manufacturing/continuous improvement projects, CNC programming, quoting and bill of material work. Co-ops/Interns must have strong communication skills and be comfortable interfacing with external (customers and suppliers) and internal parties (engineers, operators and management). It is a great opportunity to be directly involved with the manufacturing processes, while both developing their experiential skill sets and providing direct value to the company.