JOB TITLE: Bids & Proposals Engineer
SALARY: Competitive
HOURS: 37 ½ hours per wk – Half day Friday’s.
LOCATION: Norwich, NR7
About Us:
At the forefront of modern defence, MSI-Defence Systems Ltd (MSI-DS) specialise in advanced
Remote Weapon Stations for land-based counter-drone and naval applications, helping armed forces to stay ahead of rapidly evolving threats.
With almost 140 years of defence manufacturing expertise, we deliver innovative, cost-effective solutions engineered to meet the most demanding and stringent operational requirements and as a trusted supplier to the UK Armed Forces and more than 40 militaries worldwide, our class-leading products surpass capability expectations whilst also offering unrivalled through-life in service support.
We are currently in a phase of strategic growth, investing in new technologies, expanding our global footprint, and strengthening our position as a leader in next-generation defence systems. This growth is driven by our people. We are a people-centric organisation that values collaboration, innovation, and integrity, and we actively support work–life balance, continuous learning, and long-term career progression. Joining us means becoming part of a forward-looking business where your expertise is valued, your development is supported, and your work makes a real-world impact.
About the role:
The Bids & Proposals Engineer is responsible for reviewing Request for Information (RFI), Request for Quotations (RFQ) and preparing and submitting competitive and compliant bids and proposals to the customer. They will be responsible for managing the RFI and RFQ end-to-end bid process.
They will analyse the project requirements and collaborate with various departments to be able to develop accurate cost estimates while ensuring the Company meets the client’s technical, commercial and deadline requirements. They will respond to RFI’s and RFQ’s and create comprehensive bid documents while ensuring precision and full adherence to the companies’ policies and procedures.
The primary responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
* Receiving and reviewing RFI and RFQ Customer Documentation from the Sales Team to Fully Understand the Scope of Work and Potential Risks
* Collaborating with internal stakeholders, such as Sales, Operations, Commercial and subject matter experts, to gather information to develop cost estimates
* Updating Customer Relationship Management (CRM) database
* Developing compelling and persuasive bid content, including executive summaries, value propositions, pricing models and technical responses
* Coordinating and facilitating bid review meetings to ascertain bid/ no bid decisions
* Participating, as needed, in client meetings and negotiation sessions to secure favourable terms and conditions while focusing on profitability
* Ensuring all aspects comply with the company ISO accreditations
* Ensuring full compliance with the company IT security policies
* Any other such duties that may be reasonably compatible with the nature and scope of the role
About you:
To be a successful candidate for this role you must be able to demonstrate the below attributes and skillsets:
Essential
Qualification/ Education
* Level 3 (ONC/ A levels/ Apprenticeship or equivalent) A* - C/ 4-9 in Engineering (Electrical Biased Desirable)
Technical skills and experience
* Understanding and experience of working with Bill of Materials (BoM)
* Experience in bids & proposals or a similar role
* Demonstrated success in winning bids through effective proposal management
* Experience of managing Pre-Qualification Questionnaires (PQQ’s)
* Strong understanding of the bid lifecycle, proposal writing, development and contract negotiations
* Experience in using Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word, Teams etc)
Personal Attributes
* Proactive approach to liaising with customers
* Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
* Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
* Experience to work both independently and as part of a team
* Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills to build rapport and close business opportunities
* Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines
* Full UK driving licence and a valid passport with no travel restrictions
Desirable
* Experience of Managing Bids for Complex Projects or Large-Scale Contracts
How to apply:
If you’re ready to take the next step in your career and be a part of a company that values your skills and contributions, we encourage you to apply by clicking the apply button!