Proposal Engineer - Special-Purpose Machinery

Bosch USA; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

International assignment (3–5 years)

Competitive benefits

Career growth opportunities

Collaborative, multicultural team

Job summary

Bosch Manufacturing Solutions in the United States seeks a highly capable Proposal Engineer to support the development of special-purpose machinery for the automotive industry. You will write technical content, cost estimates, and collaborate with sales, engineering, and legal teams to craft competitive proposals.

The role requires a strong technical background in industrial automation and the ability to lead projects from concept through customer acceptance, with exposure to international teams

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Controls, Automation, Electrical, Mechanical, or related discipline) is required.
• 7+ years of experience in project engineering roles within special machinery, industrial automation, or manufacturing systems—preferably automotive.
• Experience in concept development, machine architecture, and system-level engineering.
• Proven ability to lead technical discussions and customer-facing presentations.
• Experience working in multidisciplinary and international teams.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.

Responsibilities

• Analyze RFPs, RFQs, and customer specs to grasp technical, commercial, and contractual requirements.
• Define solution scope with sales and technical teams for proposed offerings.
• Collaborate with cost estimators and sales to ensure competitive pricing.
• Translate technical information into clear executive summaries, technical descriptions, and scope of work.
• Identify risks and mitigation strategies.
• Ensure compliance with customer requirements and terms and conditions.
• Coordinate with engineering, operations, legal, and finance to assemble proposals.
• Prepare materials and participate in proposal presentations.

Skills

Technical writing

Project management

Attention to detail

Commercial terms understanding

Information synthesis

Technical breadth

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Job description

We Are Bosch. At Bosch, we shape the future by inventing high-quality technologies and services that spark enthusiasm and enrich people’s lives. Our areas of activity are every bit as diverse as our outstanding Bosch teams around the world. Their creativity is the key to innovation through connected living, mobility, or industry.

Company Description

We Are Bosch. At Bosch, we shape the future by inventing high-quality technologies and services that spark enthusiasm and enrich people’s lives. Our areas of activity are every bit as diverse as our outstanding Bosch teams around the world. Their creativity is the key to innovation through connected living, mobility, or industry.

Let’s grow together, enjoy more, and inspire each other.

Work

• Reinvent yourself: At Bosch, you will evolve.
• Discover new directions: At Bosch, you will find your place.
• Balance your life: At Bosch, your job matches your lifestyle.
• Celebrate success: At Bosch, we celebrate you.
• Be yourself: At Bosch, we value values.
• Shape tomorrow: At Bosch, you change lives.

Job Description

As a global supplier in the area of special purpose machinery, Bosch Manufacturing Solutions offers individual & intelligent assembly and testing solutions, incl. advanced manufacturing processes and technologies, digital & intelligent solutions and services along the entire product life cycle. Due to our competence in the field of international project management and the expertise of nine locations worldwide, we can “think globally and act locally”. In this way we combine the advantages of global standardization with regional, market-specific conditions. To face the requirements of our customers with future oriented solutions, we continuously develop our manufacturing processes & technologies.

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated Proposal Engineer to support the development of special-purpose machinery for the automotive industry.

This role requires a strong technical background combined with the ability to develop innovative machine concepts, lead complex engineering projects, and effectively interface with customers to support new business opportunities. The ideal candidate is a flexible and hands‑on engineer with experience in industrial automation and special machinery, capable of owning projects from concept definition through implementation and customer acceptance.

Key Responsibilities

• Understanding Requirements: Analyzing RFPs (Requests for Proposal), RFQs (Requests for Quote), and customer specifications to fully grasp the technical, commercial, and contractual requirements.
• Solution Definition (at a high level): Working with sales, technical teams, and sometimes application engineers to define the scope of the solution, technology, and services to be offered.
• Cost Estimation & Pricing Support: Collaborating with cost estimators and sales to ensure the proposed solution is priced competitively and profitably.
• Technical Writing & Documentation: Translating complex technical information into clear, concise, and persuasive language for the proposal document. This includes writing executive summaries, technical descriptions, scope of work, project plans, and deliverables.
• Risk Assessment: Identifying potential technical, commercial, and schedule risks associated with the proposed solution and articulating mitigation strategies.
• Compliance Matrix: Ensuring the proposal explicitly addresses all customer requirements and complies with terms and conditions.
• Coordination: Acting as a central point of contact for gathering information from various departments (engineering, operations, legal, finance) to complete the proposal.
• Presentation Support: Preparing materials and sometimes participating in proposal presentations to customers.

Key Skills

Strong technical writing, project management (of the proposal process), attention to detail, understanding of commercial terms, ability to synthesize information from various sources, technical breadth.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Engineering (Controls, Automation, Electrical, Mechanical, or related discipline).
• 7+ years of experience in project engineering roles within special machinery, industrial automation, or manufacturing systems—preferably in the automotive industry.
• Strong experience in concept development, machine architecture, and system-level engineering.
• Proven ability to lead technical discussions and customer-facing presentations.
• Experience working in multidisciplinary and international teams.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, project-driven environment.

Preferred Skills

• Understanding of automotive industry standards and customer expectations.
• Commercial awareness and ability to support quotation and sales-related technical activities.
• Willingness to travel occasionally.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to work on technically challenging projects in the automotive, energy, and consumer goods industries.
• Collaborative and multicultural environment with international exposure.
• Attractive benefits and professional growth opportunities.
• Candidates outside the US are welcome: possibility to participate in an international assignment ranging from 3 to 5 years.

Additional Information

Indefinite U.S. work authorized individuals only. Future sponsorship for work authorization unavailable.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability / veterans

• Bosch adheres to Federal, State, and Local laws regarding drug-testing. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a drug screen and background check. Candidates who have been offered the position must pass both screenings before their start date.

In addition to your base salary, Bosch offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision plans; health savings accounts (HSA); flexible spending accounts; 401(K) retirement plans with an employer match; wellness programs; life insurance; short- and long-term disability insurance; paid time off; parental leave, adoption assistance; and reimbursement of education expenses.

Learn more about our full benefits offerings by visiting: www.myboschbenefits.com. Pay ranges included in the postings generally reflect base salary; certain positions may include bonus, commission, or additional benefits.