About the position
Our client, a leading steel supplier is looking for a Draughtsman / Estimator to join their team. Must have practical, hands-on experience using SigmaNEST - this is essential.
Position Purpose
The company is looking for a technically minded, detail-oriented Draughtsman / Estimator to support its steel plate profiling and processing operations.
The successful candidate must have practical, hands-on experience using SigmaNEST, preferably in a steel profiling or CNC cutting environment. They must be comfortable working with technical drawings, preparing cutting nests and production files, and supporting production operations.
Previous estimating experience will secure but is not essential. The company is prepared to train a suitable candidate in estimating procedures, costing methods, and internal systems.
Critical requirement: Candidates must already have practical familiarity with SigmaNEST and must be able to demonstrate their experience. We are not looking for candidates who need to learn the software from scratch.
Key Responsibilities
Draughting and SigmaNEST
- Use SigmaNEST to prepare, modify and process cutting nests and production files.
- Interpret customer drawings and prepare components for profiling/plasma cutting.
- Check dimensions, material thickness, quantities, and drawing accuracy.
- Optimize nesting layouts to improve material utilization and minimize steel plate wastage.
- Liaise with clients, sales and production personnel to resolve drawing, nesting, and cutting-related queries.
- Ensure production files are accurate and correctly prepared before processing
Estimating and administrative support
Assist with quotations and estimating material requirements, cutting costs and processing requirements.
- Calculate material utilization, cutting lengths, quantities, and processing costs.
- Use Microsoft Excel for calculations, costing schedules and spreadsheets, and Microsoft Word for quotations and correspondence.
- Maintain accurate records and ensure information is correctly captured.
Essential Requirements
Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Practical, hands-on familiarity with SigmaNEST, including experience preparing or modifying cutting nests or production files.
- Ability to read and interpret technical or fabrication drawings.
- Basic working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word.
- Good numerical ability and attention to detail.
- Understanding of dimensions, measurements, plate thickness, and component quantities.
- Willingness and ability to learn estimating procedures.
- Ability to work independently and communicate effectively with colleagues.
Advantageous Experience
The following experience would be beneficial but is not essential:
- Experience in a steel service centre, profiling business, or fabrication environment.
- Exposure to CNC plasma, oxy-fuel cutting, bending, rolling or other steel plate processing.
- Knowledge of steel plate grades, thicknesses, and dimensions.
- Experience optimizing nesting layouts to reduce material wastage.
- Previous involvement in quotation preparation, material calculations, or production costing.
- Ability to calculate bending and rolling developments, including flat-pattern dimensions and material allowances.
- Candidates must not be excluded solely because they lack estimating experience or a formal draughting qualification, provided they meet the essential requirements and demonstrate the necessary technical ability.
Suitable Candidate Backgrounds
Applications are welcome from:
- SigmaNEST operators.
- CAD draughtsman with practical SigmaNEST experience.
- Technical drawing office assistants familiar with SigmaNEST.
- Junior estimators with genuine hands-on SigmaNEST exposure.
The emphasis is on demonstrated software experience and technical aptitude rather than job title or formal qualifications.
Desired Skills:
- Sigmanest
- drafting
- nesting
- drawing
- steel
- estimator
- draughtsman
Employer & Job Benefits:
- Basic salary + performance bonus
