Lead Proposal Engineer

Karman Space & Defense; Huntington Beach (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

HSA with company contribution

FSA

Company-paid life and AD&D insurance

Disability coverage

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Karman Space & Defense in Huntington Beach, CA seeks a Lead Proposal Engineer to guide competitive aerospace and defense proposals, from customer request analysis through final submission. You will coordinate with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, and Business Development to build accurate, executable cost estimates that reflect Karman capabilities.

The role requires interpreting requirements, developing manufacturing assumptions, labor and material estimates, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 1+ years at Karman Space & Defense or 3+ years in space/defense engineering.
• Experience interpreting drawings, specifications, BOMs, statements of work, and other technical requirements.
• Ability to develop cost estimates for labor, material, tooling, and outside processing.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and building detailed cost, estimating, or analytical workbooks.
• A current DoD Secret clearance or ability to obtain one.

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.

Skills

Excel proficiency

Strong communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

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

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Cost Estimating Software

Job description

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.

Benefits

• 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
• Tuition reimbursement

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.