Lead Application Engineer - Bid Manager

RiseMe; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Incentive Program

401(k) plan with company match

Wellness incentives

Employee Personal Assistance Program

Dental, medical, vision insurance

Paid holidays and vacation

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Watlow, a global leader in thermal solutions, seeks a seasoned Bid Manager to drive engineered-to-order proposals for large industrial customers, EPCs, and operators. You will own bids from RFQ to award, coordinating engineering, sales, operations, finance and supply chain to ensure compliant, competitive, and profitable outcomes.

You will lead kickoff meetings, develop pricing, manage deadlines and navigate complex contractual terms while maintaining strong customer engagement and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical field is required.
• 3+ years leading bids for engineered-to-order equipment or similar.
• Experience bidding to EPC contractors and large oil & gas operators is essential.
• Familiarity with relevant codes and standards (NEC 500/505, UL/CSA, ATEX/IECEx, ASME VIII, PED).
• Ability to read P&IDs, process datasheets and electrical schematics.

Responsibilities

• Review RFQs/ITBs and lead go/no-go decisions based on fit, risk, capacity and margin.
• Develop win strategies with sales, including pricing and competitor positioning.
• Create bid schedules, conduct kickoff meetings, and manage gates.
• Coordinate sizing, design reviews and deviations with engineering and applications teams.
• Prepare complete proposal packages covering technical, commercial, and documentation.

Skills

Bid management

Cross-functional leadership

Commercial negotiation

Attention to detail

Deadline management

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

APMP or PMP certification

Job description

Working at Watlow

Watlow is a global technology and manufacturing leader who provides world class engineering expertise through innovative thermal products and systems, enabling our customers to thrive. We are making a positive impact every day as our solutions enrich the lives of people everywhere. We have been providing breakthrough thermal solutions for over 100 years! Our corporate values guide us uncompromisingly to always do the right thing, continually learn and improve, respect everyone, and lead with service and humility.

About the Role

Watlow is looking for an experienced Bid Manager to lead proposals for our engineered process heating systems. These are sold to large industrial customers, EPC contractors and end users in oil and gas, petrochemical, chemical, power generation and energy transition markets. You will own each bid from receipt of the RFQ through award. You'll coordinate engineering, sales, applications, operations, supply chain and finance to deliver compliant, competitive proposals that win profitable business.

Products You’ll Support

• Circulation and inline process heaters, including explosion-proof and hazardous-area designs, both medium and low voltage
• Engineered heater skids and packaged systems
• Medium and Low Voltage Control Panels
• Associated sensors, controls and instrumentation

Key Responsibilities

Bid strategy and qualification

• Review incoming RFQs and ITBs, and lead go/no-go decisions based on fit, risk, capacity and margin.
• Build win strategies with sales, including customer drivers, competitor positioning and pricing approach.

Proposal development

• Build and manage bid schedules. Run kickoff meetings and review gates.
• Break down customer specifications, datasheets and project specs (e.g. Shell DEPs, Aramco SAES, ExxonMobil GPs) into compliance matrices.
• Coordinate thermal and electrical sizing, design, and code review with applications engineering.
• Prepare clear technical and commercial deviations, clarifications and exceptions.
• Write and assemble complete proposal packages: technical, commercial, schedule, documentation and inspection/test plans.
• Work with counterparts in legal, finance, supply chain, quality and engineering to prepare effective bid proposals in a timely manner

Commercial and risk management

• Develop pricing with estimating and finance, covering material, labor, engineering hours, documentation, testing and freight.
• Review commercial terms: liquidated damages, limitation of liability, warranties, payment milestones, bonds and guarantees, and Incoterms. Escalate high-risk terms to legal and leadership.
• Get internal approvals under the Delegation of Authority process.

Customer engagement

• Serve as the main contact for EPC procurement and engineering teams during the bid.
• Lead clarification meetings, technical bid evaluations (TBEs) and commercial negotiations.
• Support bid presentations and vendor qualification (AVL) activities.

After award and continuous improvement

• Hand won projects over to project management, with the full scope, risks and commitments documented.
• Track win/loss data and debrief customers. Maintain proposal templates and a content library.
• Report on pipeline and bid performance

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (mechanical, electrical or chemical preferred) or a related technical field
• 7+ years in industrial sales, applications, estimating or proposals, with at least 3 years leading bids for engineered-to-order equipment
• Experience bidding to EPC contractors and major oil and gas or process operators
• Working knowledge of relevant codes and standards, such as:
  • NEC 500/505, UL/CSA, ATEX and IECEx for hazardous areas
  • ASME Section VIII and PED for pressure vessels
  • NFPA 70/79 and IEC for electrical and controls
• Ability to read P&IDs, process datasheets and electrical schematics
• Strong understanding of commercial terms and contract risk
• Excellent writing, organization and deadline management across several bids at once

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with electric process heating, fired heaters, heat exchangers, or skid-mounted systems
• Knowledge of electrification and decarbonization applications, such as replacing gas-fired heaters with electric heat, hydrogen and CCS
• APMP or PMP certification
• Experience with international bids, including local content, export compliance and multi-currency pricing

Key Competencies

• Leads cross-functional teams without direct authority
• Has commercial judgement: knows when to push back, clarify or walk away
• Pays close attention to detail and specification compliance
• Stays calm and organized under tight deadlines
• Is customer-focused and builds relationships with EPC buyers and engineers

Travel

Up to [15–25]% for customer meetings, bid clarifications and site or facility visits.

Benefits: The Watlow Total Compensation Plan

The health, well-being and financial stability of you and your family is a high priority to us.The Watlow Total Rewards Plan includes competitive compensation and a full range of life and career enhancing benefits:

• Annual Incentive Program
• 401(k) plan that includes a company match on your contribution and an annual company contribution that is tied to company performance
• Wellness incentives
• Employee Personal Assistance Program
• Dental, medical, vision and short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Paid holidays, personal time, and vacation
• Parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement

Diversity & Inclusion

We proactively embrace diversity in all its dimensions across our company and cultivate a culture of inclusion and forward thinking that respects and reflects each team member’s individual strengths, views, and experiences. Watlow takes pride in being an inclusive equal opportunity employer and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Please let us know confidentially if you need or require any special accommodations to participate in our recruiting process by emailing us at [e-mail].