Lead Proposal Engineer

Amro-A-Division-of-Karman-Space-; Huntington Beach (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Company-paid life and AD&D insurance

Disability insurance

Job summary

Karman Space & Defense is seeking a Lead Proposal Engineer in Huntington Beach, CA. You will lead cost estimating and technical analyses from customer requests through final submission, coordinating with Engineering, Operations, Finance, and Business Development to align capabilities with customer needs.

Responsibilities include evaluating RFQs, defining assumptions, estimating labor and material costs, and maintaining Excel-based cost models.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Manufacturing Engineering or related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• 1+ years of engineering experience at Karman Space & Defense or 3+ years in space/defense industry.
• Experience interpreting drawings, specs, BOMs, SOWs, and other technical requirements.
• Knowledge of aerospace manufacturing processes and evaluating labor, material, tooling, and outside processing.
• Experience developing technical or manufacturing cost estimates including labor/material.
• Strong proficiency with Excel and developing cost/estimation workbooks.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; documenting risks and recommendations.
• DoD security clearance or ability to obtain one.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate customer requests for quotation, SOWs, drawings, specs, and BOMs.
• Identify materials, processes, tooling, outside services, and other cost elements beyond BOMs.
• Define proposal requirements, assumptions, risks, exclusions, and clarifications.
• Develop and review manufacturing processes, labor content, cycle times, production rates, and related assumptions.
• Estimate direct labor hours using manufacturing processes and data.
• Create and validate cost estimates for materials, labor, tooling, outside processing, and NRE.
• Prepare basis-of-estimate documentation for labor, material, tooling, and inputs.
• Support technical discussions with customers and align capabilities with needs.
• Maintain Excel cost/proposal workbooks with accurate formulas and pricing.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain to validate manufacturability and supplier pricing.

Skills

MS Excel proficiency

Communication skills

Security clearance eligibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Full Time Professional Huntington Beach, Huntington Beach, CA, US

7 days ago Requisition ID: 3943

Salary Range: $100,000.00 To $140,000.00 Annually

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies’ core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.

Designs and delivers dependable hypersonic/strategic missile defense systems, integrating multiple technologies into unified, mission-ready hardware supporting demanding environments.

As the Lead Proposal Engineer, you will support the development of competitive aerospace and defense proposals by leading technical and cost estimating activities from initial customer‑request analysis through final submission. You will collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, and Business Development to interpret requirements, develop manufacturing assumptions, and build accurate, executable cost estimates aligned with customer needs and Karman capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate customer requests for quotation, statements of work, engineering drawings, specifications, and bills of materials.
• Identify required materials, processes, tooling, outside services, and other cost elements beyond customer‑provided BOMs.
• Define proposal requirements, assumptions, risks, exclusions, and areas needing customer clarification.
• Develop and review manufacturing processes, labor content, cycle times, production rates, and related assumptions.
• Estimate direct labor hours using supported manufacturing processes, historical data, engineering input, and production requirements.
• Create and validate cost estimates for materials, labor, tooling, outside processing, non‑recurring engineering, inspection, and testing.
• Prepare detailed basis‑of‑estimate documentation for labor, material, tooling, and other cost inputs.
• Support technical discussions with customers and partner with Business Development to align capabilities with customer needs.
• Maintain and update Microsoft Excel‑based cost and proposal workbooks to ensure accurate formulas, assumptions, and pricing.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain to validate manufacturability, capacity, tooling requirements, production rates, and supplier pricing.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• One or more years of engineering experience at Karman Space & Defense or three or more years of relevant engineering experience in the space or defense industry.
• Experience interpreting engineering drawings, specifications, bills of materials, statements of work, and other technical requirements.
• Working knowledge of aerospace manufacturing processes and the ability to evaluate labor, material, tooling, and outside processing assumptions.
• Experience developing technical or manufacturing cost estimates, including labor and material estimates.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel and experience developing or maintaining detailed cost, estimating, or analytical workbooks.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document and present technical assumptions, risks, and recommendations.
• A current U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing teams or projects.
• Experience with customer presentations.
• Exposure to concept development, technology application, and program planning.
• Ability to develop, plan, and execute programs.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Company-paid life and AD&D insurance
• Short‑and long‑term disability coverage

Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.