Vital Group is one of the fastest-growing, forward-thinking companies in the UK, dedicated to delivering innovative solutions within the critical power and EV charging industries. Specialising in generator service and turnkey EV charging solutions, our goal is to become the most trusted provider in these sectors by re-setting customer service benchmarks and transforming expectations with honesty, integrity, and passion. We are committed to continually raising the bar in customer service excellence.
Our work is delivered by a team of well trained, equipped, and motivated Engineers, supported by a 24/7/365 Operations capability, and led by a diversely skilled Leadership Team.
Vital Group expects all its employees to act as ‘co-owners’ of the business, and to always put safety first, followed closely by customer satisfaction and commercial success. Our values are ones that promote the best behaviour and team ethics, and we believe that this requirement will drive profitable growth and make Vital Group a fantastic place to build a career.
Job Overview
The Power Project Applications Engineer is a critical role supporting the commercial and technical bids for Vital Power Diesel Generation and UPS projects, and their associated ancillary systems such as acoustics, flue systems, fuel storage, complex controls and complete installation and commissioning processes. This position involves evaluating client technical requirements, specifications and drawings, to develop technically compliant and commercially accurate cost estimates and compelling bid documentation.
Reporting directly to the Power Projects Sales Director and, where required, supporting other sales and project team members to scope and deliver proposals that meet client expectations in the timescales required. This is a unique opportunity to join a small, agile team at an early stage of the next phase of growth; and this position will play a key role as we scale rapidly over the coming months.
The role requires close collaboration with internal technical teams, suppliers, sub-contractors, clients and consultants, to ensure all designs are practical, cost-effective, and aligned with project goals. The ideal candidate will bring a strong understanding of diesel generator technologies, sound commercial judgement, and a proactive, complete solutions-focused mindset.
Key Responsibilities and Duties
Technical and Commercial Scoping:
* Liaise with the relevant sales lead and clients to fully understand technical requirements and project objectives.
* Understand and interpret client specifications and documentation to develop compliant, competitive and commercially aware solutions.
* Conduct initial cost and feasibility studies, load assessments, and configuration design for diesel generator systems, including single and multiple set arrangements.
* Support the relevant sales lead with customer meetings and site visits
Cost Estimation & Tender Preparation
* Determine technical solution and prepare detailed and accurate cost estimates based on specifications, drawings, surveys and site conditions, and present to Sales Director.
* Assist in preparing bid proposals, developing pricing strategies, and compiling tender submissions.
* Leverage knowledge from previous experience in power generation installations to accurately access labour requirements and build realistic project estimates.
* Obtain and assess quotations from suppliers and subcontractors to support pricing development.
* Identify and highlight value engineering opportunities, technical risks, and viable alternative solutions in tender returns.
Proposal and Bid Development
* Assist sales team in preparation of and issuance of professional, specification-compliant quotations and technical proposals.
* When required, draft bid letters, scope clarifications, and compliance matrix tailored to each opportunity.
* Collaborate with internal teams to obtain technical drawings, schematics, and supporting documentation where required.
Project Collaboration
* Advise on technical aspects during vendor negotiations and contract development, ensuring that all cost estimates reflect real-world operational specifications.
* Attend project handovers to communicate how the solution was developed and costed.
* Work closely with the projects and engineering teams to ensure smooth transition from bid to delivery.
* Support Sales meetings with updates on pipeline and active opportunities.
Supplier Engagement & Pricing Tools
* Build and maintain relationships with key suppliers and manufacturers.
* Development of costing tools and calculators.
* Monitor market pricing trends and feed insights into cost modelling.
Technical Governance & Continuous Improvement
* Ensure all technical content in submissions is clear, accurate, and tailored for client readability
* Stay up to date with industry standards, generator technologies, and innovations in control systems.
* Recommend enhancements to estimating tools and processes based on project feedback and industry developments.
Documentation & Reporting
* Maintain updated records of estimates, revisions, and modifications, ensuring comprehensive traceability of bid process and decisions.
* Present findings, cost drivers, and technical insights clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
* Assist with and input on monthly reports and presentations, including project forecasts, risks, and commercial viability.
* Ensure all documentation is completed according to the client and/or sales lead timeline.
Person Specification
Criteria - Education, Qualifications & Experience
Essential:
* Proven experience in power generation or critical power environments (diesel generator experience essential).
* Awareness of ISO 8528 standards,
* Familiarity with mechanical elements of generator installations (e.g., fuel systems, ventilation, acoustic enclosures, plantroom layouts).
* Strong understanding of generator sizing, system configuration, acoustic layouts, and control systems integration.
* Experience in estimating, proposals, or applications engineering in a technical environment.
* Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, specifications, and SLDs.
* Good commercial awareness with the ability to assess risk and value.
* Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to liaise confidently with internal stakeholders, clients, and suppliers.
* Organised, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple proposals simultaneously to tight deadlines.
* Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Word) with an ability to develop and use costing tools or calculators.
Desirable:
* Experience in design development and costing secondary supply power solutions to support life safety installations (ISO8519, BS9999, BS9991 etc).
* Working knowledge of generator control systems and protocols. (Deepsea/ComAp)
* Familiarity with AutoCAD to support pre-contract layout drawings or submissions.
* Understanding of project lifecycles from bid to handover, including supplier engagement and subcontractor input.