Job Description

Senior Proposal Engineer

Location: Shelby Township, MI
Job Type: Direct Hire

Compensation: $96,000-$130,000/year

Wright Technical Services is supporting a leading global automation and manufacturing organization in their search for a Senior Proposal Engineer to join their Assembly Pre-Sales Applications team.

This role is responsible for developing manufacturing and assembly automation concepts that evolve into fully operational production systems for major industrial customers. The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in automation, manufacturing systems, proposal development, and engineering estimation, along with the ability to collaborate cross-functionally to deliver innovative and cost-effective solutions.

This opportunity is ideal for someone who enjoys conceptual engineering, customer interaction, and helping shape complex automation systems from early-stage RFQs through final proposal submission.

• Review and analyze customer RFQs, technical specifications, and project requirements to determine feasibility and alignment with internal capabilities
• Develop conceptual manufacturing and assembly automation solutions for customer applications
• Create detailed cost estimates, engineering proposals, conceptual layouts, and time studies for assigned opportunities
• Support engineering change proposals and revisions throughout the quoting process
• Prepare technical and financial justifications for proposed solutions using internal cost modeling and vendor quotations
• Participate in customer meetings, technical reviews, and proposal presentations as needed
• Collaborate closely with engineering, sales, manufacturing, and project management teams to ensure alignment on scope, budget, and feasibility
• Develop innovative and cost-effective automation concepts within defined customer and project constraints
• Manage multiple active proposals simultaneously while maintaining deadlines and deliverable schedules
• Support sales and marketing efforts through technical presentations, customer engagement, and internal training activities
• Stay current on emerging automation technologies, manufacturing trends, and industry advancements to improve proposal competitiveness

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical discipline
• 10+ years of experience in engineering, proposal development, estimating, or automation system design within an industrial or manufacturing environment
• Strong experience developing conceptual manufacturing or assembly system solutions
• Proven ability to lead proposal efforts from concept development through final submission
• Working knowledge of mechanical systems, controls engineering concepts, and industrial automation technologies
• Experience creating project estimates, conceptual layouts, and technical proposals for manufacturing customers
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with the ability to interface directly with customers and cross-functional teams
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines within a fast-paced environment
• Experience supporting highly automated manufacturing systems and lean manufacturing environments is strongly preferred
• Understanding of controls hardware, automation equipment, and manufacturing technologies preferred

Preferred Background

Candidates with experience in the following environments or technologies may be particularly well aligned:

• Industrial automation and system integration
• Automated assembly systems
• Robotic manufacturing systems
• Automotive or heavy manufacturing environments
• Manufacturing process development
• Capital equipment proposals and estimating
• Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives