Bids and Proposals Engineer

OFS; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Oilfield Solutions Limited in Houston seeks a Bids and Proposals Engineer to translate client specs into manpower plans and technical inputs for bids. You will assess labor requirements, shifts, mobilization and logistics across installation, commissioning, maintenance and inspection activities.

The role focuses on technically credible proposals, working with Operations, Engineering and Delivery teams to ensure deliverability and competitiveness. Travel and multicountry scope may apply.

Qualifications

• Engineering background or equivalent practical field experience.
• Experience interpreting technical information and translating work scopes into estimates.
• Ability to develop activity-based manpower estimates and understand crew composition.

Responsibilities

• Review tender documents to define technical work scope.
• Develop bottom-up manpower estimates by activity, discipline, role and crew size.
• Estimate labor for installation, commissioning, operations and maintenance.
• Prepare manpower and mobilization schedules, org charts and estimate narratives.
• Identify required competencies, supervision levels and local labor needs.
• Define technical assumptions, exclusions, qualifications and dependencies.
• Ask clarifying questions to refine incomplete client requirements.
• Collaborate with Operations and technical experts to validate high-risk estimates.
• Participate in bid reviews and internal approvals.
• Contribute to standard estimating templates and content libraries.

Skills

Numerical skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Engineering degree (mechanical/electrical/controls)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

Role Overview

The Bids and Proposals Engineer supports Oilfield Solutions Limited bids by converting client specifications and equipment requirements into deliverable manpower plans and technical execution inputs. The role assesses personnel, competencies, durations, shifts, mobilization and logistics for installation, commissioning, maintenance, inspection, overhaul and related power generation services.

Reports to

Bids Director

Key interfaces

Sales, Operations, Commercial, Engineering, Supply Chain, Health, Safety, Environment and Quality, and project delivery teams

Location

Houston, Texas

Travel

20% or more

Role Purpose

The role owns technical manpower estimating throughout the bid lifecycle, supported by Operations and delivery teams. The successful candidate will develop evidence-based estimates reflecting scope, equipment, site conditions, schedule, productivity, skills, safety, logistics and risk, and support technically credible proposals that Operations can deliver.

This is a technically focused bid role rather than a sales‑led proposal coordination position. It may suit an engineer, commissioning professional, maintenance planner, field service specialist, project coordinator or technically capable candidate developing a career in bids and estimating. Oilfield Solutions Limited will provide development in bid preparation, manpower estimation and project logistics. The role supports the Bids Director and helps ensure proposals are technically sound and deliverable.

Key Responsibilities

• Review tender documents, specifications, drawings, equipment lists, schedules and site information to define the technical work scope.
• Develop bottom‑up manpower estimates by activity, discipline, role, crew size, shift pattern, duration and mobilization phase.
• Estimate labor for installation, completion, commissioning, start‑up, operations, maintenance, inspection, outages and equipment overhaul.
• Prepare manpower and mobilization schedules, organization charts, responsibility matrices and estimate narratives, including travel, visas, accommodation, rotations, transport, tooling, freight and site access.
• Identify required competencies, supervision levels, specialist support and local labor requirements.
• Define the technical assumptions, exclusions, qualifications, dependencies and client responsibilities underpinning each estimate.
• Challenge incomplete or unrealistic client requirements and prepare focused technical clarification questions before manpower estimates are finalized.
• Work with Operations and technical experts to validate high‑risk, unusual or first‑of‑a‑kind estimates, while retaining ownership of the estimate.
• Participate in bid reviews, risk reviews, client clarification meetings and internal approvals.
• Contribute to standard estimating templates, technical content libraries and continuous improvement of the Oilfield Solutions Limited bid process.

Technical Scope

The role requires, or provides the opportunity to develop, practical understanding of field execution across gas turbines, generators, compressors, engines and balance‑of‑plant systems. Packages may include gas turbines, mobile power units, fuel gas, lubrication, cooling, electrical, control and instrumentation systems. The individual need not be the specialist for every equipment type, but must analyze unfamiliar scopes, apply sound estimating principles, identify gaps and engage the appropriate expert.

Experience and Qualifications

• Engineering qualification in mechanical, electrical, controls, power generation or a related discipline, or equivalent practical field experience.
• Relevant experience in power generation, rotating equipment, maintenance, commissioning, field service, project delivery, proposals, estimating or logistics. Candidates with less direct experience will be considered where they demonstrate technical aptitude, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.
• Ability to interpret technical information and translate work scopes into activity‑based manpower estimates, or the aptitude to develop this skill with guidance.
• Understanding of craft disciplines, crew composition, supervision, work sequencing, productivity, shift working and mobilization, or the ability to develop this knowledge.
• Experience preparing technical proposals, estimates, execution plans, work packs or schedules, or a clear aptitude to develop these skills.
• Good numerical, analytical and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word, with the ability to develop clear, traceable estimate models and proposal content.
• Ability to work across multiple concurrent bids, manage deadlines, collaborate across functions and identify incomplete information early.
• Experience with gas turbine and equipment suppliers, engineering and construction contractors, service providers or power plant operators.
• Exposure to gas turbine equipment from suppliers such as Solar Turbines, General Electric, Siemens Energy, Pratt & Whitney or Rolls‑Royce.
• Experience with data centre energy centres, fast‑track power projects, mobile generation, gas compression or offshore power generation.
• Knowledge of planning tools, manpower forecasting, cost estimating and project controls.
• Understanding of international mobilization, visas, rotations, travel, accommodation, freight, tooling, transport and competency requirements.

Core Competencies

• Technical judgement: Develops realistic estimates grounded in available evidence and field execution input.
• Scope discipline: Distinguishes clearly between included work, exclusions, assumptions and dependencies.
• Commercial awareness: Understands how technical and logistics decisions affect price, risk and deliverability.
• Constructive challenge: Tests optimistic schedules, unclear interfaces and unsupported productivity assumptions.
• Collaboration: Works effectively with Sales, Operations, Commercial and technical specialists.
• Ownership: Maintains accountability for estimate quality from initial review through handover.
• Attention to detail: Produces accurate, traceable and reviewable bid inputs.

Measures of Success

• Accuracy and completeness of manpower and logistics estimates.
• Reduction in late estimate changes, unpriced scope and delivery‑stage surprises.
• Timely completion of technical bid inputs and clarifications.
• Quality and traceability of assumptions, exclusions and estimate basis.
• Effective alignment between the submitted manpower plan and the operational delivery plan.
• Improvement in estimating standards through actual‑versus‑estimate feedback.

This is a technically focused bid role rather than a sales‑led proposal coordination position. It may suit an engineer, commissioning professional, maintenance planner, field service specialist, project coordinator or technically capable candidate developing a career in bids and estimating. Oilfield Solutions Limited will provide development in bid preparation, manpower estimation and project logistics. The role supports the Bids Director and helps ensure proposals are technically sound and deliverable.