Proposal Engineer

Status: Open Until Filled

Position Title: Proposal Engineer / Proposal Specialist

Department/Location:  Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Status: Regular/Full-Time

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Position Overview:

We are seeking a highly experienced Proposal Engineer to lead technical estimating and proposal development activities across a range of Department of Defense (DoD) programs. This role is critical in developing compliant, competitive proposals by coordinating Engineering and functional teams to develop clear, defensible Basis of Estimates (BOEs).

Key Responsibilities:

  • Lead proposal team meetings, including kickoff meetings, BOE coordination meetings, and internal approval reviews
  • Develop and manage the BOE structure and bid plan for each proposal, including templates, assumptions, and supplier coordination.
  • Author clear, defendable BOEs using appropriate methodologies:
    • Level of Effort (LOE) for recurring or support tasks
    • Discrete estimating for trackable, deliverable-based work
    • Actuals-based estimating utilizing historical data
  • Create and maintain Responsibility Assignment Matrices (RAMs) to define BOE ownership across Engineering, PMO, and other functions.
  • Align BOEs with Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) and Statements of Work (SOWs)
  • Interpret solicitation documents (RFPs, RFIs, SOWs) to identify requirements, risks, dependencies, and assumptions.
  • Collaborate with Systems Engineering, Integration and Test (SEIT), Software Engineering, Hardware, Specialty Engineering, Program Management, Supply Chain, and Contracts to validate and compile estimate inputs.
  • Prepare staffing projections, sandpile charts, and labor ramps for internal reviews and senior leadership briefings.
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of proposal processes, templates, and estimation standards.

Key Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field.
  • 3–5+ years of experience in DoD proposal development or technical cost estimating.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional proposal efforts and drive schedule adherence.
  • Proficiency in developing BOEs using LOE, discrete, and actuals-based estimating methodologies.
  • Strong working knowledge of DoD contract structures including Firm Fixed Price (FFP), Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), and Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF)
  • Prior experience in a small or mid-sized defense contractor, with the ability to work independently in a low-process environment.
  • Ability to define and document team responsibilities through RAMs and other coordination tools.
  • Strong skills in Microsoft Excel and proposal development platforms (e.g., MS Word, SharePoint); MS Project experience preferred.
  • Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance (if required).

Preferred Skills:

  • Exposure to Earned Value Management (EVM) and cost/schedule integration practices.
  • Experience using cost estimation tools (e.g., ProPricer or similar).
  • Familiarity with pricing strategy development, cost realism, and risk-based pricing analysis.
  • Background in defense aerospace, training systems, or mission systems development.

Work Conditions:

  • Office environment with occasional travel required for site visits or customer meetings.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

 

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