Applications & Proposal Engineer

Connect-Force; Novi (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Connect Force is seeking an Applications & Proposal Engineer in Farmington Hills, MI to bridge engineering, sales, and manufacturing. You will translate customer needs into feasible equipment and process solutions, review specs, and collaborate with engineering and production teams.

You will prepare technical proposals with scope and pricing, develop cost estimates, and help transition quotations to project execution.

Qualifications

• Experience in applications engineering, proposal engineering, or related roles.
• Knowledge of machining or automated manufacturing equipment.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and technical specs.
• Detail-oriented with accurate estimates and quotations.
• Strong communication across technical and commercial teams.

Responsibilities

• Review customer specifications and RFQs to define requirements.
• Collaborate with engineering, sales, and manufacturing to design solutions.
• Prepare technical proposals with scope, pricing, and assumptions.
• Develop cost estimates based on equipment, tooling, and materials.
• Clarify specifications with customers and internal teams.
• Identify risks and information gaps in proposed approaches.
• Support handoff from quotation to project execution with clear documentation.

Skills

Applications engineering

Proposal engineering

Technical estimating

Manufacturing engineering

Reading drawings

Cross-functional communication

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

CAD software

Job description

Applications & Proposal Engineer

Location: Farmington Hills, MI | Full-Time | On-Site

Turn technical challenges into manufacturing solutions.

Enjoy figuring out how equipment, tooling, and manufacturing processes come together to solve a customer’s problem? This opportunity puts you at the intersection of engineering, sales, and precision manufacturing— with a direct role in shaping solutions and winning new business.

Connect Force is partnering with an established industrial equipment manufacturer seeking an Applications & Proposal Engineer. This position is ideal for someone who can understand technical requirements, evaluate manufacturing approaches, and turn complex information into clear, accurate proposals.

What You’ll Do

• Review customer specifications, drawings, and requests for quotation to understand project requirements.
• Work with engineering, sales, and manufacturing teams to develop practical equipment and process solutions.
• Prepare technical proposals outlining scope, pricing, assumptions, and proposed solutions.
• Develop cost estimates using equipment, tooling, materials, and engineering requirements.
• Communicate with customers and internal teams to clarify specifications and answer technical questions.
• Identify potential technical risks, missing information, and opportunities to improve the proposed approach.
• Support the transition from quotation to project execution by clearly documenting customer expectations and commitments.

What You Bring

• Experience in applications engineering, proposal engineering, technical estimating, manufacturing engineering, or a related role.
• A working knowledge of machining, industrial machinery, tooling, or automated manufacturing equipment.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and interpret technical specifications.
• Strong attention to detail when preparing estimates, quotations, and technical documentation.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to work across technical and commercial teams.
• An engineering degree or relevant combination of technical education and hands‑on experience.

Experience with precision machining, grinding, honing, or custom machinery is especially relevant.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• See your ideas take shape: Help develop solutions that become real manufacturing equipment.
• Make a visible impact: Your technical judgment and proposal work directly support new business.
• Work across disciplines: Collaborate with people in engineering, manufacturing, and sales.
• Use both sides of your skill set: Combine hands‑on technical understanding with customer‑focused problem solving.

This is a confidential search. The employer’s identity and additional details will be shared with qualified candidates during the screening process.