What are the responsibilities and job description for the Proposals Engineer position at Ascent Aerospace?
Ascent Aerospace – Inspiring the next generation of flight!
Ascent Aerospace is a world-renowned, single-source provider of production and automated assembly systems for the aerospace and defense industry. We provide high-precision advanced automated equipment as well as a full suite of both mold and assembly tooling required for the aerospace manufacturing market, including the largest Invar molds ever made— making us the largest tooling group in the industry. We work with our customers to develop their project and see it through, from process engineering to build and installation, to ensure it is an efficient and cost-effective solution. As a true, single-source integrator, we have proven tools to surpass our customer expectations. We have greater control of timing and schedules, which allows for 100% accountability, and avoids costly mark-ups, ultimately saving our customers money. The result: a group of businesses, each an industry leader within their own discipline, now acting as one truly integrated supply base.
Summary Of Position
The Proposal Manager- Aftermarket is responsible for leading the preparation, coordination, and delivery of service and technical proposals for equipment upgrades, modifications, and aftermarket support. This role bridges engineering, estimating, and sales functions to ensure timely, accurate, and customer-focused proposals. The ideal candidate is a technically minded project manager or engineer ready to move into a more customer-facing, commercially oriented position.
Essential Functions
Working conditions described here are representative of those that may be experienced by an employee on a daily basis while performing the functions of this job.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Employment is contingent upon successfully passing an employee reference check, criminal background check, and drug screening.
This position requires use of information that is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder').
Ascent Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. If you have a disability and you believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an online application, please call toll-free 1 586-726-0500. This phone number is created exclusively to assist disabled job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Only messages left for this purpose will be returned. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or technical issues not related to a disability, will not receive a response.
No Unauthorized Referrals from Recruiters & Vendors
Please note that Ascent Aerospace does not seek or accept unsolicited resumes or offers from third party recruiters or staffing agencies associated with any published or unpublished employment opportunities. Any unsolicited information sent to Ascent Aerospace will be considered as unencumbered and free from any fee or charge whatsoever. Only members of our Human Resources Team have the authority to engage or authorize recruiting services, which must be agreed upon before the unsolicited resume or offer is received.
Ascent Aerospace is a world-renowned, single-source provider of production and automated assembly systems for the aerospace and defense industry. We provide high-precision advanced automated equipment as well as a full suite of both mold and assembly tooling required for the aerospace manufacturing market, including the largest Invar molds ever made— making us the largest tooling group in the industry. We work with our customers to develop their project and see it through, from process engineering to build and installation, to ensure it is an efficient and cost-effective solution. As a true, single-source integrator, we have proven tools to surpass our customer expectations. We have greater control of timing and schedules, which allows for 100% accountability, and avoids costly mark-ups, ultimately saving our customers money. The result: a group of businesses, each an industry leader within their own discipline, now acting as one truly integrated supply base.
Summary Of Position
The Proposal Manager- Aftermarket is responsible for leading the preparation, coordination, and delivery of service and technical proposals for equipment upgrades, modifications, and aftermarket support. This role bridges engineering, estimating, and sales functions to ensure timely, accurate, and customer-focused proposals. The ideal candidate is a technically minded project manager or engineer ready to move into a more customer-facing, commercially oriented position.
Essential Functions
- Manage all service proposals, ensuring schedules and deadlines are met.
- Review and assist in the preparation of technical proposals for equipment upgrades, modifications, and related service work.
- Collaborate with the sales department to ensure unified messaging, consistent pricing strategies, and accurate representation of offerings.
- Develop detailed summaries of customer requests to support estimating, engineering, and reporting activities.
- Work closely with estimating to confirm quotations accurately reflect customer scope, specifications, and commercial terms.
- Coordinate and/or lead meetings with customers to define project scope, clarify questions, and align expectations.
- Manage the service sales pipeline, ensuring data integrity and timely updates to CRM and reporting systems.
- Travel to customer sites occasionally to support scoping, proposal discussions, or relationship management.
- Support spares/service estimating, quoting, and invoicing activities as needed.
- All other duties as required
- Experience: 3–5 years in project management, applications engineering, or related technical role within a manufacturing environment.
- Experience in automation, aerospace, or capital equipment preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to interpret technical drawings and specifications.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to interact effectively with internal teams and customers.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot, or equivalent).
- Detail-oriented with strong organizational and multitasking skills
- Must possess Department of Defense Secret Security Clearance and maintain security clearance for the duration of employment
- Possess Department of Defense Secret Security Clearance and maintain security clearance for the duration of employment
- Familiarity with best practices regarding automation controls architecture and precision mechanical system requirements
- Experience with controls or mechanical design software tools (Siemens TIA, Catia V5, Ect.)
- Familiarity with estimating and quoting automated equipment
- None
- 20-30%
Working conditions described here are representative of those that may be experienced by an employee on a daily basis while performing the functions of this job.
- Typically sits for extended periods at a computer workstation
- May access and work in the manufacturing plant
- While performing the duties of this job, employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes and airborne particles
- The employee may be exposed to vibration
- The employee is occasionally exposed to caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
- May be required to travel to other site locations during the work day
- May be required to work weekends to meet department and business demands
- Work with safe manufacturing processes and understand that eyewear is mandatory in the manufacturing area.
- Knows that safety shoes are recommended in the manufacturing area
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
- Must be able to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
- Must be able to see, talk, hear, touch, feel and reach with hands and arms.
- Must be able to frequently walk and stand for short periods of time
- Must be able to lift and move up to 35lbs, occasionally lift and move objects up to 50lbs.
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Life Insurance
- AD&D Insurance
- PTO
- 401k Match
Employment is contingent upon successfully passing an employee reference check, criminal background check, and drug screening.
This position requires use of information that is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder').
Ascent Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. If you have a disability and you believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an online application, please call toll-free 1 586-726-0500. This phone number is created exclusively to assist disabled job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Only messages left for this purpose will be returned. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or technical issues not related to a disability, will not receive a response.
No Unauthorized Referrals from Recruiters & Vendors
Please note that Ascent Aerospace does not seek or accept unsolicited resumes or offers from third party recruiters or staffing agencies associated with any published or unpublished employment opportunities. Any unsolicited information sent to Ascent Aerospace will be considered as unencumbered and free from any fee or charge whatsoever. Only members of our Human Resources Team have the authority to engage or authorize recruiting services, which must be agreed upon before the unsolicited resume or offer is received.
