Senior Tendering Engineer - Defense - ZI

Zahid Industries; Jeddah; On-site; SAR 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Zahid Industries in Jeddah seeks a Senior Tendering Engineer - Defense to lead analysis, preparation, and submission of compliant tenders for complex defense projects. You will translate customer requirements into accurate, competitive proposals while ensuring adherence to defense regulations, localization, and internal guidelines.

The role collaborates with Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, Quality, and Finance to define technical solutions, prepare cost proposals, review BOMs/BOEs, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or equivalent).
• 7+ years of relevant experience in tendering, proposals, cost estimating, or project engineering within defense, manufacturing, EPC, or other regulated industries.
• Fluent in English.
• Experience leading complex multidisciplinary bids is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the review and analysis of RFIs, RFPs, and RFQs for defense programs to identify requirements.
• Interpret technical specs, statements of work, drawings, standards, and military requirements.
• Coordinate internal reviews and prepare complete tender submissions with stakeholders.
• Ensure tenders comply with customer requirements, bid instructions, and timelines.
• Develop cost estimates, BOMs, BOEs, and lifecycle cost considerations.
• Support localization strategies and lifecycle cost evaluations in tendering.
• Ensure compliance with ITAR, EAR, export control regulations, and contractual terms.
• Lead bid clarification meetings and internal gate reviews as required.

Skills

Defense contracting knowledge

Tender lifecycles

Cost estimation

Commercial analysis

Lifecycle costing

English language

Tendering experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Job description

Senior Tendering Engineer - Defense - ZI Search Jobs Job Description Job Title: Senior Tendering Engineer - Defense - ZI Posting Start Date: 22/09/2026 Job Location: JEDDAH Company: Zahid Industries Job Description:

Job Summary

The Senior Tendering Engineer is responsible for leading the analysis, preparation, review, and submission of compliant technical and commercial tenders for complex defense-related projects. The role provides senior-level tendering support to Business Development by translating customer requirements into accurate, competitive, executable, and compliant proposals, ensuring alignment with defense regulations, localization requirements, and internal cost, schedule, risk, and approval guidelines.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead the review and analysis of RFIs, RFPs, and RFQs for complex defense programs, identifying key technical, commercial, contractual, schedule, and compliance requirements.
• Interpret technical specifications, statements of work, drawings, standards, and military requirements.
• Lead the preparation, integration, and internal review of complete and compliant technical and commercial tender submissions in coordination with internal stakeholders.
• Ensure all tenders fully comply with customer requirements, bid instructions, and submission timelines.
• Develop technical compliance matrices, deviation lists, and clarification registers.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, Quality, and Finance to define technical solutions and prepare cost proposals.
• Develop and critically review bills of materials (BOMs), bases of estimate (BOEs), cost estimates, and manufacturing feasibility and schedule assumptions.
• Support make-or-buy decisions, localization strategies, and lifecycle cost evaluations.
• Ensure compliance with ITAR, EAR, export control regulations, company policies, and customer contractual terms.
• Identify and challenge technical, commercial, contractual, schedule, and compliance risks during tendering; lead development of mitigation actions and ensure material risks are escalated for management review.
• Maintain accurate tender documentation, version control, and complete audit trails.
• Act as the senior coordination point between Business Development, Engineering, Operations, Procurement, Quality, Finance, and Legal during tender preparation, driving timely closure of inputs and actions.
• Lead or actively support bid clarification meetings, internal gate reviews, management reviews, and customer negotiations as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Aptitude

• Educational Qualifications and Certifications: Bachelor's degree in engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or equivalent).
• Knowledge: Knowledge of defense contracting processes and tender lifecycles.Understanding of direct vs. indirect costs, Capex vs. OpEx, and lifecycle cost considerations.
• Technical Skills: Defense contracting and tender lifecycles.Cost estimation, commercial analysis, and lifecycle costing concepts.Knowledge of defense contracting processes and tender lifecycles.
• Language Skills: Fluent in English.
• Experience: Minimum 7 years of relevant experience, including substantial experience in tendering, proposals, cost estimating, or project engineering within defense, manufacturing, EPC, or other regulated industries; experience leading complex multidisciplinary bids is preferred.

Key Interactions

• Key Internal Contacts: Engineering. Supply Chain. Manufacturing / Operations. Finance / Legal. Quality Assurance / Compliance.
• Purpose of Interaction: Validate technical feasibility, assumptions, and compliance. Develop sourcing strategy, validate supplier capability, and obtain quotations. Labor Cost / Manufacturability/Outsourcing/Make-Buy Strategy. Review financial and legal terms. Ensure compliance with defense and quality requirements.
• Key External Contacts: Customer and Suppliers.
• Purpose of Interaction: Clarify technical and commercial requirements. Align on scope and deliverables. Engage with suppliers for technical and commercial inputs in coordination with the Supply Chain function.
• Supervisor/Manager: Engineering Lead
• Direct Reports: N/A