Retrofit Proposal Engineer

E524 Sulzer Pump Services (US) Inc.; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

15 days paid time off

401k plan with match

Comprehensive health plan

HSA matching

Wellness program

Employee Assistance Program

Paid paternal leave

Gym reimbursement

Job summary

Sulzer is seeking a Retrofits Proposal Engineer to prepare and deliver technical and commercial retrofit proposals for upgrade projects, supporting front end sales and the retrofit specialist team in responding to customer inquiries.

You will define bid strategy with the Retrofit Specialist and Key Account Manager, obtain quotes from sub-vendors, and develop complete proposals that meet Sulzer guidelines and required sign‑offs per the Delegation of Authority.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering, or a related Engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in Sales, Tendering, Applications Engineering, or a combination of technical and commercial roles within an industrial environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in mechanical and/or hydraulic engineering principles, products, and applications.
• Strong understanding of project management methodologies; PMP certification preferred.
• Proficiency with SAP and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Proven experience supervising, coaching, and developing teams to achieve business objectives.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and influencing skills with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to travel as required within the assigned region.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing project requirement with Retrofit Specialist – Key account manager and to define bid strategy.
• Preparation and submission of technical and commercial proposals in line with customer requirements, ensuring that proposals meet Sulzer commercial guidelines and have the necessary sign off in accordance with the Delegation of Authority.
• Obtain the quotes from sub-vendors for Mechanical Seal / Motors / Instruments and all other equipment / services.
• Performs application engineering duties in preparation of complete proposals, contacting appropriate service centers, parts manufacturing cells, sub-vendors and other Sulzer entities as required while clarifying specifications and other typical application duties.
• Work closely with Sales, Engineering and Operations to provide cost effective, competitive solutions in line with Sulzer financial objectives
• Routing the requirement of costing to the best solution available within Sulzer global portfolio and optimizing the costs for highest chance of award of the project
• Support cross Regions requirements
• Preparation of Lost Bid Analysis for issued proposals
• Proactively engage and support company initiatives designed to promote a culture of safe working, environmental protection, and continual improvement.
• Work together with Order Processing to ensure smooth and efficient handover of proposals/orders

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Negotiation

Time management

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Office

Job description

Sulzer is a leading engineering company with a proud heritage of innovation. Join our global team to grow your expertise and develop innovative solutions that enable a prosperous and more sustainable society.

About the role

Job Summary The Retrofits Proposal Engineer is responsible for the preparation and delivery of technical and commercial solution proposals for retrofit and upgrade projects, supporting front end sales and the retrofit specialist team in respect of customers’ enquiries.

Key Responsibilities

• Reviewing project requirement with Retrofit Specialist (RS) – Key account manager (KAM) and to define bid strategy
• Preparation and submission of technical and commercial proposals in line with customer requirements, ensuring that proposals meet Sulzer commercial guidelines and have the necessary sign off in accordance with the Delegation of Authority
• Obtain the quotes from sub-vendors for Mechanical Seal / Motors / Instruments and all other equipment / services.
• Performs application engineering duties in preparation of complete proposals, contacting appropriate service centers, parts manufacturing cells, sub-vendors and other Sulzer entities as required while clarifying specifications and other typical application duties.
• Work closely with Sales, Engineering and Operations to provide cost effective, competitive solutions in line with Sulzer financial objectives
• Routing the requirement of costing to the best solution available within Sulzer global portfolio and optimizing the costs for highest chance of award of the project
• Support cross Regions requirements
• Preparation of Lost Bid Analysis for issued proposals
• Proactively engage and support company initiatives designed to promote a culture of safe working, environmental protection, and continual improvement.
• Work together with Order Processing to ensure smooth and efficient handover of proposals/orders

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering, or a related Engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in Sales, Tendering, Applications Engineering, or a combination of technical and commercial roles within an industrial environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in mechanical and/or hydraulic engineering principles, products, and applications.
• Strong understanding of project management methodologies; PMP certification preferred.
• Proficiency with SAP and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Proven experience supervising, coaching, and developing teams to achieve business objectives.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and influencing skills with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to travel as required within the assigned region.

What we offer you

• 15 days of paid time off and 12 company-paid holidays
• 401k plan with a 6% match
• Comprehensive health plan including medical, dental, vision, Life, short-term & long-term disability
• Health savings account matching
• Motivating wellness program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid paternal leave
• Gym reimbursement

Sulzer is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in the strength of a diverse workforce and are committed to offering an inclusive work environment.

We are proud to be recognized as a Top Employer 2026 in Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Switzerland, South Africa, the UK and the USA.

Sulzer is a leading engineering company with a proud heritage of innovation. By supporting water and energy security, enabling the energy transition and driving the use of circular technologies, we help our customers build a better world. With more than 13'000 employees and 160 world-class production facilities and service centers across the globe, we are a globally diverse team. We value the uniqueness of all our colleagues, and we appreciate the contributions that each of us makes to the company’s success. We prioritize your health and safety and are committed to offering a work environment in which you can thrive.