Proposal Developer - Water & Environment

The Opportunity

Ulteig is seeking a Proposal Developer to join the Proposal Department within our Commercialization & Growth business unit, supporting Water & Environment LifeLine® sector pursuits. You will manage proposal development and the shortlist interview process, bringing together pursuit strategy, technical expertise, persuasive writing, and effective visual design to help Ulteig win work.

As the project manager for assigned proposals and interviews, you will guide multidisciplinary teams through the Shipley proposal process, facilitate meetings and color reviews, manage schedules and deliverables, and prepare final submissions. This is a hands-on role that combines proposal management with graphic design, technical writing, and technical editing. You will partner with Sales, Technical Services, project managers, and other contributors to communicate clear, accurate, and client-focused solutions. This individual contributor position has no supervisory responsibilities.

What You'll Do

Manage proposals and facilitate pursuit teams

• Independently manage assigned RFQ, RFP, and statement of qualifications responses from pursuit planning and kickoff through final submission and interview preparation. Support complex or strategically important pursuits in collaboration with a Lead Proposal Developer or Proposal leadership, as assigned.
• Analyze solicitation requirements, evaluation criteria, and addenda. Develop compliance matrices, content outlines, schedules, and assignments that keep the team aligned with client requirements.
• Facilitate pursuit strategy discussions (Blue Team) with Sales and technical leaders to identify client priorities, win themes, differentiators, and supporting evidence, then carry those messages through proposals and interviews.
• Lead kickoff meetings, progress meetings, and Shipley color reviews. Prepare agendas and review materials, document decisions and action items, and track review comments through resolution.
• Manage concurrent pursuits, monitor progress, follow up on commitments, and coordinate internal contributors and teaming partners to meet deadlines. Identify risks early, recommend solutions, and engage Proposal leadership when scope, resources, or competing priorities require a decision.

Write edit and design proposal materials

• Research and write original proposal content, including cover letters, executive summaries, project descriptions, staff qualifications, and technical narratives developed with subject matter experts.
• Interview technical staff to gather information, clarify project approaches, and translate complex engineering and environmental concepts into clear, persuasive content tailored to the client and evaluation criteria.
• Perform substantive technical editing, copyediting, and proofreading. Strengthen organization, clarity, consistency, grammar, and messaging while coordinating technical validation with the appropriate subject matter experts.
• Design and produce proposal layouts, interview presentations, and custom graphics, including process diagrams, organizational charts, schedules, and infographics, using Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft tools.
• Manage document assembly, version control, and final production. Verify compliance, formatting, required forms, and submission instructions; coordinate approvals and complete electronic or printed submissions on time.

Lead interview preparation and improve proposal resources

• Manage the shortlist interview preparation process, including schedules, team assignments, presentation development, rehearsals, and final materials.
• Facilitate interview planning and storyboard sessions, develop slides and supporting visuals, and lead rehearsals focused on clear messaging, transitions, timing, and anticipated questions. Engage a Lead Proposal Developer or Proposal leadership for advanced coaching and strategy support on complex or highly competitive interviews.
• Facilitate post-pursuit debriefs, document lessons learned and available client feedback, and apply findings to future proposals and interviews.
• Partner with the Proposal Content Specialist and technical staff to maintain accurate resumes, project profiles, reusable content, and templates. Archive final materials and follow content governance and brand standards.
• Identify practical improvements to proposal workflows, templates, and tools; test new approaches and contribute to assigned improvement activities. Share lessons learned and useful examples with colleagues, and coordinate the transfer of relevant proposal commitments and information to project teams after award.

What We Expect from You

Required qualifications

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in communications, English, journalism, marketing, graphic design, technical communication, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• At least three years of experience developing and managing proposals in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry or a related technical professional services environment, including independently leading proposal schedules, contributors, reviews, and submissions.
• Demonstrated technical writing, technical editing, and proofreading experience, with the ability to develop original content from research and subject matter expert input.
• Demonstrated graphic design and document production experience, including proposal layouts, presentation design, and graphics that explain technical information.
• Proficiency in Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Acrobat, and strong proficiency in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. Working knowledge of Excel, Teams, and SharePoint.
• Experience facilitating meetings, managing competing priorities, and influencing contributors without direct supervisory authority. Ability to provide constructive feedback and resolve issues collaboratively.
• Understanding of structured proposal development and color reviews, with the ability to apply Ulteig’s Shipley process.
• Demonstrates openness to innovation by embracing and applying evolving technology and AI tools to enhance workflows, solve problems, and drive continuous improvement.
• Must have authorization to work permanently in the United States.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience supporting water and environmental engineering pursuits and public-sector qualifications-based selection processes.
• Experience managing shortlist interview preparation, developing presentations, and coaching technical presenters.
• Formal Shipley training or Association of Proposal Management Professionals certification.
• Experience with CRM systems, proposal content libraries, or Bluebeam/Adobe.

As you consider applying for a position at Ulteig, we encourage you to think outside the box – because we do! You might not meet 100% of the skills listed in a description, but we are committed to hiring people with exceptional talent, ability and potential, and then creating an environment where they can become the best versions of themselves. We don’t want to miss out on the possibility of speaking with the next outstanding Ulteig team member, so please apply if you think this role is a great match for your unique skills and strengths. And, yes, relevant military experience is absolutely considered for transitioning service members.

What You Can Expect from Ulteig

Ulteig is a purpose driven organization that has built a culture focused on people – both our clients and our employees –for over 80 years. Working at Ulteig is more than a job, opening opportunities to make an impact by creating and solving for a sustainable future. We recognize our success relies heavily on the dedication and focus of our workforce; this is why we make investing in our employees a top priority. We prioritize flexibility and staying connected to meet your needs and help you achieve your goals. We value your unique perspective, respect your individuality and celebrate your contributions. At Ulteig, we take our own success and the success of our clients personally.

We offer our team members:

• Flexible Workplace
• Employee Ownership
• Competitive Pay
• Comprehensive Benefits Package
• Collaborative Environment
• Innovative Culture

Our vision is to be the most trusted partners transforming our world’s critical infrastructure. Ulteig connects people and resources to develop compelling, integrated solutions across multiple Lifeline Sectors®, including Power, Renewables, Transportation and Water. Ulteig is a trusted partner in engineering North America’s essential infrastructure and leverages its expertise with a wide range of public and private clients.

At Ulteig, we care deeply about our team, listening to their needs and ensuring they have the tools necessary to be productive whether they choose to work remotely, hybrid or in office. Regardless of where you work, you are empowered to build a workday that best suits your strengths. We strive to ensure a balance and separation between home and work life. We support a flexible working schedule so employees are able to focus on what's important to them.

If you would like to be a part of a company that empowers their employees, apply today!

Ulteig is a Drug Free Workplace

ACHIEVE | GROW | COLLABORATE

Additional Opportunity Details:
Target Base Compensation Range for this role is $85,000 - $115,000
* Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary include your job specific skills, education, training, job location, number of years of experience related to this role and comparison to other employees already in this role

This position will be posted for a minimum of 3 days and will continue to be posted for an average of 60 days until a qualified applicant is selected or the position has been cancelled.

Notice to Recruiters and Staffing Agencies: to protect the interests of all parties, Ulteig Engineers, Inc., will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate or an approved vendor that has a written and signed agreement in place with Ulteig. Please do not contact or forward resumes to our company employees or locations. Any unsolicited resumes will be considered Ulteig property. Ulteig is not responsible for any charges or fees related to unsolicited resumes.