Director of Estimating and Technical Sales
Job Title
Director of Estimating and Technical Sales
Department
Integrated Solutions Group (ISG)
Reports To
VP of Sales
Location
7865 Northcourt Rd Ste 100 Houston, TX 77040
Effective/Revision Date
6/2026
Role Purpose
The Director of Estimating and Technical Sales is responsible for serving as the technical resource for the Business Development team by supporting the Business Development team with customer technical questions, design-for-manufacturability reviews, and estimating new part numbers.
This ISG-level role requires a high level of precision machining knowledge, including CNC machining processes, tight-tolerance manufacturing, technical print interpretation, machining cost drivers, and AS9100 quality system expectations.
The position must be able to evaluate complex aerospace and precision-manufactured components, translate customer requirements into accurate and competitive quotes, and ensure proposed solutions are manufacturable, compliant, and aligned with UPG and ISG capabilities.
Initially, this position will perform quoting and estimating responsibilities directly and, over time, will build and lead a team to support the estimating function across UPG and ISG opportunities.
Scope & Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities:
- Technical Sales Support: Serve as the primary technical resource for the Business Development team by supporting customer questions, technical discussions, part reviews, proposal development, and technical evaluations for precision machining and AS9100-related opportunities.
- Design for Manufacturability Reviews: Review customer drawings, specifications, models, and project requirements to evaluate manufacturability, machining approach, tolerance stack-ups, GD&T requirements, risks, cost drivers, material considerations, inspection requirements, and production feasibility.
- Precision Machining Expertise: Apply high-level knowledge of CNC machining, precision machined components, tight tolerances, GD&T, fixturing, setup strategy, machine capability, tooling selection, cycle time, materials, surface finish requirements, and inspection methods when evaluating new opportunities.
- AS9100 & Aerospace Readiness: Demonstrate strong working knowledge of AS9100 requirements and aerospace customer expectations, including risk-based thinking, configuration control, traceability, documented requirements, special process controls, supplier flow-downs, first article inspection considerations, and objective evidence needed to support compliant quoting and project handoff.
- Estimating & Quoting: Prepare accurate estimates and quotations for new part numbers, including material, tooling, labor, CNC machine time, setup time, fixture requirements, inspection requirements, secondary operations, outside services, packaging, freight, and other cost elements as applicable.
- Customer Engagement: Participate in customer calls, technical reviews, and site visits to understand project requirements, communicate UPG capabilities, and support customer confidence in proposed solutions.
- Business Development Partnership: Work closely with the BD team to evaluate new opportunities, identify technical risks, support pricing strategy, and ensure proposals are aligned with customer expectations and UPG capabilities.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with engineering, tooling, quality, production, CNC operations, finance, and business development to validate assumptions, confirm feasibility, identify AS9100 or customer-specific requirements, and develop competitive solutions for new and existing customers.
- New Product Introduction Support: Support the transition of awarded quotes into new product launch activities by sharing technical assumptions, cost basis, machining strategy, inspection requirements, customer requirements, AS9100 considerations, and key risks with internal teams.
- Process Development: Develop and improve estimating tools, templates, procedures, and standards to ensure consistent, scalable, and accurate quoting practices across the organization.
- Team Development: Initially perform quoting and estimating responsibilities directly, with the expectation of building, training, and leading an estimating team as business needs grow.
- Market & Cost Awareness: Maintain awareness of manufacturing cost drivers, supplier capabilities, industry benchmarks, and competitive considerations that may impact pricing and customer proposals.
- Travel & Relationship Building: Travel approximately 25% to 40% to support customer meetings, technical reviews, ISG collaboration, supplier visits, and business development activities.
- Reporting & Documentation: Maintain organized records of estimates, assumptions, customer requirements, quote history, and project handoff documentation to support transparency and future reference.
- Compliance & Quality: Perform assigned duties in accordance with documented procedures, work instructions, customer requirements, AS9100 expectations, and applicable quality system requirements.
Work Experience & Skills
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, or a related technical field preferred. Equivalent technical manufacturing, estimating, or industry experience may be considered.
Experience: Minimum 7 to 10 years of experience in precision machining, CNC manufacturing, manufacturing engineering, estimating, quoting, technical sales support, product development, or a related industrial/manufacturing role. Strong experience with aerospace or AS9100-regulated precision machining environments is strongly preferred. Experience in medical device, injection molding, tooling, or other precision manufacturing environments is also valuable. Prior leadership or team-building experience is strongly preferred.
Expert-level understanding of technical drawings, specifications, GD&T, tolerances, materials, CNC machining processes, manufacturing methods, cost estimation, inspection requirements, and design for manufacturability principles. Ability to evaluate complex machined parts, identify manufacturability and compliance risks, and effectively communicate technical and commercial information to customers, Business Development, engineering, operations, quality, finance, and senior leadership.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, CRM systems, estimating tools, ERP systems, and the ability to review CAD models, prints, and technical documentation. Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple opportunities, deadlines, customer priorities, and technical requirements within AS9100 or other controlled manufacturing environments.
Working Conditions & Physical Requirements
Work environment: The worker is subject to indoor environmental conditions; protection from weather, but not necessarily from temperature changes. This position may work in a hybrid office environment when located near UPG Houston or the Minneapolis satellite office. Remote arrangements may be considered based on business needs.
Physical or operational requirements: Sedentary Work - Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Requires close visual acuity for reading, data review, technical documentation, customer drawings, and computer work. Travel expectation is approximately 25% to 40%.
Compliance Statements
Equal Opportunity Employer: Disability/Veteran