Tendering Engineer

Optima UK Inc Ltd; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Optima UK Inc Ltd is seeking a Tendering Engineer in Ipswich to lead the preparation of professional tenders for bespoke engineered products. You will work with sales, engineering, procurement and project teams to interpret requirements, compile technical and commercial information, and produce detailed costings within tight deadlines.

The role requires experience in pricing complex projects and a strong commercial mindset.

Qualifications

• Experience producing quotations or tenders for bespoke engineered products.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and customer specifications.
• Experience pricing complex engineering projects.
• Strong commercial awareness including margins and profitability.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the tender process for bespoke engineering projects.
• Prepare tender documents, technical proposals and pricing schedules.
• Interpret customer specifications and drawings.
• Prepare cost estimates aligned with company margins.
• Coordinate stakeholders to meet tender submission deadlines.
• Support post-tender negotiations and handovers.

Skills

Quotation experience

Engineering drawings

Costing & pricing

Commercial awareness

Cross-functional teamwork

Microsoft Office

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Job description

Tendering Engineer

Location: Ipswich, Suffolk

Commutable from: Stowmarket, Bury St Edmunds, Colchester and Felixstowe

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

The Opportunity

A well-established engineering business specialising in bespoke power-generation equipment is looking to appoint a Tendering Engineer to strengthen its sales function.

The Role

As the Tendering Engineer, you will manage the preparation of accurate, professional and commercially competitive tenders for bespoke engineered products.

Working closely with sales, engineering, procurement and project teams, you will interpret customer requirements, compile technical and commercial information, produce detailed costings and ensure tenders are completed accurately and within the required timescales.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the tender process for bespoke engineering projects.
• Prepare professional tender documents, technical proposals and pricing schedules.
• Interpret customer specifications, engineering drawings and tender documentation.
• Confirm technical compliance and identify potential commercial or technical risks.
• Develop practical solutions to technical and commercial challenges.
• Work with sales, engineering, procurement and product teams to obtain technical information, costs and lead times.
• Produce detailed cost estimates aligned with company margins and commercial guidelines.
• Present pricing calculations and commercial information confidently to management.
• Coordinate multiple stakeholders to meet tender submission deadlines.
• Support post-tender clarifications, commercial negotiations and project handovers.
• Maintain tender templates, technical datasheets, standard clauses and bid records.
• Provide regular updates on tender progress and proactively manage potential risks.

Candidate Requirements

• Previous experience producing quotations, tenders or proposals for bespoke engineered products.
• The ability to interpret engineering drawings, customer specifications and technical documentation.
• Experience pricing complex engineering projects or capital equipment.
• Strong commercial awareness, including an understanding of costings, margins and profitability.
• Experience working closely with engineering, procurement, supply chain, sales or project teams.
• Strong written communication and technical document presentation skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tender deadlines.
• Good planning, organisation and time-management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Confidence communicating technical and commercial information to internal stakeholders and customers.

Applications are also welcomed from experienced Applications Engineers, Proposals Engineers, Estimating Engineers, Commercial Engineers and Technical Sales Engineers whose roles involve interpreting customer requirements and producing complex technical quotations.