Proposal Engineer Jobs
Proposal Engineer jobs are open across defense, energy, construction, and industrial manufacturing, from entry-level to senior and lead roles, with specializations in technical writing, cost estimation, and solution architecture. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Senior Sales & Proposal Engineer
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Onsite)
Job Description
Summary
The Senior Sales and Proposal Engineer will develop technical and commercial proposals for electrical and automation modernization projects and new equipment installations in the metals industry. Working closely with engineering teams, customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders, this role develops proposals for melt shops, casters, rolling mills, and process lines. The successful candidate brings a proactive, customer-focused approach to sales, a technical background, and the ability to guide proposal development from initial requirements through customer presentation.
Who we are
At SMS group, our people are our greatest asset. We offer an entrepreneurial environment that promotes a culture of innovation, growth, and inclusion. We offer company events, activities, and opportunities to participate in charitable initiatives that benefit the communities where we are located.
www.sms-group.us
What you'll do
- Work with the engineering team to propose technical solutions for sales projects based on customer requirements, SMS standards, and relevant reference projects.
- Prepare project cost estimates based on the proposed technical solution, including input from required vendors and reference estimates.
- Present SMS group’s proposed solutions to customers as part of your sales activities.
- Coordinate and communicate with colleagues across our global engineering team, as well as with customers and suppliers.
- Manage assignments independently within broad objectives and established limits.
- Provide guidance and support to less-experienced sales and proposal engineers.
What you'll need
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering, Computer Programming, or a related engineering or technical field; equivalent relevant experience may also be considered.
- At least 10 years of experience in an engineering and/or sales role in the metals industry or a similar industry, or with an automation, controls, power, or drives company.
- Background in electrical and automation practices and control systems, including programmable logic controllers (PLCs), human-machine interfaces (HMIs), drives, and process models.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. • Willingness to travel up to 20% to support project and proposal work, investigations, and meetings.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including excellent written and spoken English.
- Adaptability and flexibility when addressing challenges and exploring different approaches.
- Ability to manage multiple sales projects at different stages simultaneously.
- Interest in developing toward a management role.
- Authorization to work in the United States and willingness to undergo a background check in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
What we offer
Competitive compensation, medical/dental/vision coverage, paid vacation, paid holiday time, 401k with a company match, training, a tuition reimbursement program and more!
What we do
SMS group is the leading partner in the world of metals. We are an original equipment supplier offering comprehensive maintenance and spare part services for metals production, continuous casting and rolling (flat and long products), tubes, welded pipes, forging, non-ferrous technology, and heat treatment plants - all from a single source.
SMS group Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, gender identity or other categories protected by law. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a drug screen and physical capacity profile test.
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Find Proposal Engineer JobsProposal Engineer Job Market
Who's Hiring


Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Automotive
- Chemicals & Materials
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in proposal engineer jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, technical communications, or a related field
- Experience writing or coordinating responses to government or commercial RFPs
- Proficiency with proposal management tools and document collaboration platforms
- Familiarity with FAR, DFARS, or other federal acquisition regulations
- Strong technical writing skills with ability to translate complex solutions clearly
- APMP certification or demonstrated pursuit of proposal management credentials
Tips for Your Proposal Engineer Job Search
Tailor your resume to bid requirements
Proposal engineers are evaluated on win rates and deliverable quality, so your resume should name specific contract types you've supported, such as government RFPs, IDIQs, or commercial bids, and call out any proposals that advanced to award.
Highlight cross-functional coordination experience
Hiring managers for proposal engineer roles want to see that you've pulled together inputs from engineering, pricing, and legal teams under deadline. Name the stakeholders you coordinated and the proposal volume you managed to make that concrete.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists proposal engineer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Search by contract vehicle and industry
Proposal engineer roles differ significantly between defense prime contractors, utilities, and professional services. Narrow your search by industry and contract type so your application materials stay relevant and your examples match what reviewers are actually assessing.
Prepare a compliant writing sample
Many interviews include a live or take-home writing exercise using an actual RFP section. Practice drafting executive summaries and technical approach sections against a real solicitation so your sample reflects the compliance and formatting standards the role requires.
Negotiate around proposal season cycles
Defense and government-focused employers often have predictable busy periods tied to federal fiscal quarters. If an offer comes in during a heavy bid cycle, you have room to negotiate start date flexibility or sign-on support as part of your overall package.
Proposal Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most proposal engineers?
Connect Force, SMS group USA, and ABB are hiring the most proposal engineers right now, with openings concentrated in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and California, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Defense contractors and large engineering firms tend to post the highest volume of openings year-round.
How many proposal engineer jobs are remote?
About 59% of proposal engineer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with the highest remote share in roles focused on technical writing, proposal coordination, and content development. Positions requiring hands-on collaboration with engineering teams or access to controlled facilities are more likely to be on-site.
How do you become a proposal engineer?
Most proposal engineers start with a degree in engineering or a technical field and gain early experience in a related role such as project engineering, technical sales support, or contracts administration. From there, moving into proposal coordination builds core skills in RFP analysis and compliance writing. Earning an APMP certification and volunteering for cross-functional bid teams accelerates the transition into a dedicated proposal engineer title.
Can you get hired as a proposal engineer without direct experience?
Yes, employers do hire candidates without a formal proposal engineering background if they bring strong technical writing skills and familiarity with the industry. Highlighting experience drafting engineering reports, statements of work, or client-facing documentation makes a strong case. Targeting smaller companies or subcontractors is a practical entry point because those teams often need generalists who can contribute across the full bid process from day one.
What does the proposal engineer interview process look like?
Most proposal engineer interviews include a resume screen, a phone or video conversation about your proposal experience and process knowledge, and a practical writing or editing exercise using a sample RFP section. Final rounds typically involve meeting the proposal manager and cross-functional leads who assess how you work under deadline pressure. Interviewers frequently ask about a specific proposal you contributed to, your role in it, and the outcome.
Where can I find and apply to proposal engineer jobs?
You can find and apply to proposal engineer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find roles that match your background and apply directly to each listing.
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