Proposal Manager; Battery Energy Storage
📍 Fully Remote — United States
💰 $140,000–$170,000 base + Bonus + Equity The Company
Our client is a U.S.-based energy technology company focused on advanced battery energy storage solutions across commercial & industrial (C&I) and utility-scale applications. With domestic manufacturing in the United States, they deliver BESS projects from proposal through commissioning and long-term service — with Domestic Content and FEOC compliance central to how they go to market.
This is a business in active growth mode, scaling its product portfolio, manufacturing capabilities, and market presence. The proposal function is being built from the ground up, and this hire will own it.
The Opportunity
This is a build-out role. You will establish the proposal function — its processes, tools, templates, and operating model — and serve as the single point of ownership for every bid from first qualified opportunity through to firm offer. As bid volume grows, you will help define and hire the additional roles the department needs.
This role is for someone who has personally led $50M+ utility-scale bids, owned pricing and commercial volumes, and is comfortable being hands-on as a team of one. It is not a proposal coordinator or writer position.
What You'll Do
Build the proposal function from scratch
— design the operating model, stage gates, go/no-go criteria, review cadence, approval matrix, and KPIs; build the case for additional headcount as bid volume grows
Own every bid end to end
— produce ROMs, budgetary quotes, and firm offers for BESS supply, turnkey, and EPC-partnered projects; lead RFP/RFQ responses including compliance matrices, clarifications, schedules, and pricing volumes
Build and maintain the pricing model
— covering equipment, BOS, freight, installation, commissioning, warranty, augmentation, and LTSA/O&M; coordinate risk, margin, and contingency reviews for executive sign-off
Coordinate technical inputs
— translate customer requirements into sizing requests for Applications Engineering and gather bankability, Domestic Content, FEOC, and compliance documentation
Build the proposal library and systems
— templates, boilerplate, win/loss tracking, CRM pipeline management, and clean project handoffs to delivery teams
Partner cross-functionally
— work closely with Sales, PMO, Procurement, Applications Engineering, and Commercial Counsel throughout each bid, with direct reporting lines to senior leadership
What You'll Need
7+ years leading proposals, bids, or estimating — including 4+ years on utility-scale BESS, solar, or power projects at an EPC, BESS OEM/integrator, or developer
Personally led at least three utility or IPP RFP responses or firm offers above $50M, with ownership of pricing and commercial terms
Demonstrated experience building or substantially scaling a proposal function — including processes, templates, content libraries, go/no-go gates, and pricing tools
Advanced Excel pricing model skills: cost build-ups, margin, escalation, cash flow, warranty/LTSA pricing
Solid understanding of BESS components and project delivery
Familiarity with supply agreements, EPC contracts, LTSAs, and common exceptions (LDs, warranties, limitation of liability)
Strong technical writing skills with a track record of producing clear, compelling proposal documents
Exceptional organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities under tight deadlines
Proven ability to coordinate cross-functional teams and work directly with senior leadership without direct authority
Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, or a related technical field
Preferred
Experience with IRA Domestic Content, FEOC, and bankability packages
Familiarity with AI tools for proposal drafting, compliance review, or pricing workflows
CRM experience (Salesforce or HubSpot) and/or Jira
Experience hiring, developing, or leading proposal, estimating, or bid staff
Existing relationships with utilities, IPPs, or EPCs
Experience with utility RFP processes in ERCOT, CAISO, PJM, or other major markets