PROPOSALS ENGINEER Location: Dunfermline, Fife
Salary: Up to £50k
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time

We are supporting an established engineering business in their search for a Proposals Engineer to join their growing team in Dunfermline.

This is an excellent opportunity for an engineering professional who combines strong technical knowledge with commercial awareness. You will play a key role in developing accurate and competitive quotations for a diverse range of mechanical engineering services, working closely with engineering, operational and commercial teams to support new and existing customers. Proposals Engineer

The Role: As Proposals Engineer, you will be responsible for:

• Quotations & Estimating – Preparing accurate and competitive quotations across a range of mechanical engineering and manufacturing services.
• Mechanical Engineering Projects – Producing proposals for the manufacture of loose gear products alongside gearbox and pump refurbishment projects.
• Technical Evaluation – Interpreting engineering drawings, specifications and technical documentation to establish project requirements and develop accurate estimates.
• Cost Modelling – Preparing detailed cost breakdowns covering labour, materials, equipment, subcontractors and applicable overheads.
• Supplier & Subcontractor Engagement – Obtaining competitive supplier and subcontractor quotations and evaluating proposals as part of the estimating process.
• Risk & Opportunity Assessment – Identifying commercial and technical risks and opportunities and presenting recommendations to senior management.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration – Working closely with engineering, operations and commercial teams to ensure quotations reflect realistic manufacturing and delivery requirements.
• Commercial Support – Presenting estimates and recommendations to support bid/no-bid decisions and wider commercial strategy.
• Value Engineering – Identifying opportunities to reduce project costs while maintaining required quality, performance and customer specifications.
• Proposal Compliance – Ensuring quotations and proposals meet customer requirements, company procedures and relevant industry standards. Proposals Engineer

What We’re Looking For:

• Experience within estimating, proposals or quotations in a service-based engineering or related environment.
• Strong understanding of mechanical engineering processes, materials and associated pricing.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications.
• Advanced Excel skills with experience in cost modelling and data analysis.
• Strong numerical, analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Good commercial judgement with excellent attention to detail.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple quotations, priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Relevant engineering qualification or equivalent practical industry experience. Proposals Engineer

Desirable:

• Previous hands-on experience as a machinist within a mechanical engineering workshop.
• Experience within machining or general mechanical engineering.
• Knowledge of gearbox and/or pump refurbishment.
• Relevant mechanical engineering qualifications or equivalent industry experience. Proposals Engineer

Benefits:

• 33 days’ annual leave, including Christmas shutdown.
• 5% matched pension contribution.
• Competitive salary dependent on experience.
• Career progression and professional development opportunities.
• Supportive and collaborative engineering environment. Proposals Engineer

Why Apply?
This is a varied role offering an excellent combination of mechanical engineering and commercial responsibility. You’ll work across a diverse range of technical projects and have a direct influence on successful bids, customer solutions and business growth.

It’s particularly well suited to someone with a mechanical engineering or machining background who has moved into estimating, proposals or commercial engineering and wants to continue developing within a successful engineering business.