How To Become a Proposal Engineer: Step-by-Step Guide
Learn about the steps important to pursuing a career as a proposal engineer, including education, skills, salary and more.
A proposal engineer is responsible for creating and submitting engineering proposals to potential clients. This can be a very rewarding career for those who are interested in engineering and have strong writing and communication skills. In this article, we discuss what a proposal engineer does, the average salary and how to become one.
What Does a Proposal Engineer Do?
A proposal engineer is responsible for creating technical proposals in response to requests for proposals (RFPs), requests for information (RFIs) and other similar documents issued by potential clients. They work closely with sales teams to understand the client’s needs and develop a solution that meets those needs. Proposal engineers typically have a background in engineering and experience working with the product or service being offered.
The duties of a proposal engineer include:
- Reviewing RFPs, RFIs and other similar documents to understand the client’s needs
- Developing a solution that meets the client’s needs
- Creating technical proposals that outline the proposed solution
- Working with the sales team to ensure the proposal is compliant with the RFP requirements
- Coordinating with other departments within the company to gather the necessary information for the proposal
- Managing the proposal development process from start to finish
- Ensuring all deadlines are met
- Editing and proofreading proposals before they are submitted
- Tracking the status of proposals and updating the sales team on any changes
Proposal Engineer Salary and Job Outlook
The average salary for a proposal engineer is $90,125. However, this figure can vary based on the level of experience, education, industry and geographical location of the engineer.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects job prospects for proposal engineers to grow at an average rate over the next decade. This is due to many factors such as the growing use of data analysis in marketing. Companies often need the expertise of a proposal engineer to gather, interpret and leverage that data into effective marketing strategies.
How to Become a Proposal Engineer
Here are several steps you should take to become a proposal engineer.
1. Earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field
A bachelor’s degree in engineering is the minimum educational requirement for this position. You can focus on a specific field of engineering such as mechanical, electrical or civil engineering when earning your degree. This will help you gain experience and knowledge related to the type of proposals you’ll be writing.
While pursuing your degree, consider taking courses that will help you develop skills needed for this career. For example, take classes in business communication, technical writing, economics and calculus. These courses will provide you with the foundational knowledge you need to succeed in this role.
2. Gain experience in the engineering field, preferably with a focus on proposal writing
While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for this position, having experience in engineering can help you stand out from other candidates. Consider interning or volunteering at an engineering firm to get hands-on experience and build your portfolio. You may also consider working as an engineer assistant to learn more about proposal writing.
You should focus on finding an engineering role that focuses on proposal writing. This will allow you to develop skills specific to this career and give you a better understanding of how engineers work with clients.
3. Develop strong research and writing skills
Proposal engineers must be able to thoroughly research a company’s products or services and the industry in which they operate. This includes researching competitors, current trends and developments in the industry as well as any new technologies that may affect the product or service being proposed.
You should also have strong writing skills so you can clearly communicate information about your products or services to potential clients.
4. Understand the technical aspects of the products or services being proposed
As a proposal engineer, you will be responsible for writing proposals that explain the technical aspects of products or services to potential clients. It is important to have a strong understanding of these details so you can accurately describe them in your proposals and make sure they align with what the client wants.
You may also need to conduct research on competitors’ products or services to ensure yours are superior. This knowledge can help you highlight why your company should receive the contract.
5. Stay up to date on changes in the industry
As a proposal engineer, you need to stay up to date on the latest developments in your industry. This can help you identify trends and anticipate changes that may occur in the future. For example, if you work as a mechanical engineer for a company that manufactures medical devices, you should be aware of any new regulations or standards that could affect your products.
You also need to know about new developments in your field so you can include them in proposals. For instance, if you’re writing a proposal for a new product, you might want to mention that it’s made with the latest technology available.
6. Join professional organizations such as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is a professional organization that provides training and certifications for mechanical engineers. Joining ASME can help you stay up to date on industry standards, connect with other professionals in the field and improve your resume.
To become an associate member of ASME, you must be currently employed as a mechanical engineer or have graduated within the past three years from an ABET-accredited program. You must also have at least two years of experience working as a mechanical engineer. To remain an associate member, you must earn continuing education units every year.
7. Consider pursuing a master’s degree in business administration (MBA)
A master’s degree in business administration (MBA) can help you advance your career as a proposal engineer. An MBA can provide you with additional skills that can be useful for managing and growing a company, such as marketing and finance.
An MBA can also give you more credibility when working with other professionals in the industry. Having an advanced degree can make you a more attractive candidate to employers, especially if you want to work at a large corporation.
