Lead Application Engineer - Bid Manager
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 judgment: 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.