Lead Application Engineer

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Lead Application Engineer based in the United States.

This is a fully remote engineering leadership opportunity focused on the pre-sales and Inquiry to Order (ITO) phase of complex power infrastructure projects.

The role serves as the primary technical point of contact, translating customer requirements into technically sound, commercially competitive solutions.

You will shape proposals for utility, industrial, renewable, transmission, and power-generation applications, including sophisticated substation and grid projects.

The position combines electrical engineering expertise, estimating, technical proposal development, and customer engagement.

You will collaborate closely with commercial teams, proposal managers, sourcing, project management, and multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Your work will directly influence bid strategy, technical quality, cost competitiveness, and the likelihood of winning major projects.

The environment is fast-paced and technically demanding, with opportunities to influence innovative energy infrastructure on a broad scale.

Accountabilities

• Serve as the primary technical expert throughout the Inquiry to Order process, developing configurations, performance estimates, technical solutions, and economic assessments in collaboration with commercial teams.
• Develop accurate, compelling, and cost-competitive technical proposals that address customer specifications, clarify requirements, minimize performance risk, and demonstrate clear customer value.
• Define technical specifications, assumptions, exceptions, deliverables, installation scopes, bills of materials, engineering requirements, and estimates for installation, testing, and commissioning.
• Conduct technical studies and analyses required to validate proposed solutions and support sound engineering and commercial decisions.
• Develop technical specifications for equipment and services while collaborating with project managers, sourcing teams, vendors, and subcontractors.
• Prepare bid packages and provide technical support for subcontractor and power equipment procurement activities.
• Support customer presentations by communicating technical capabilities, proposed solutions, and value propositions clearly and persuasively.
• Develop and implement estimating methodologies, templates, and engineering libraries that improve accuracy and reduce the engineering effort required for future proposals.
• Collaborate with proposal managers and multidisciplinary engineering teams to develop Engineer, Procure, and Construct estimates for utility, industrial, renewable, and conventional substation projects, as well as protection and control, systems and communications, balance-of-plant, FACTS, and HVDC-related projects.
• Apply knowledge of market dynamics, customer economics, competitive positioning, and industry best practices to strengthen bid strategies and improve win rates.
• Build consensus across technical and commercial stakeholders while exercising sound judgment to resolve moderately complex engineering, operational, and product-related challenges.
• Travel up to 20%, including potential international travel, in accordance with applicable travel and tax requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering or an equivalent technical discipline.
• At least 5 years of experience in substation or electrical design, engineering studies, specifications, estimating, and/or construction within the power generation, transmission, or distribution industry.
• At least 2 years of experience in technical proposal writing and proposal management.
• Experience developing proposals for large, complex substation projects, ideally involving turnkey, EPC, or EPCI delivery models and civil works.
• Strong knowledge of power transmission and distribution equipment, electrical substations, protection systems, and medium-, high-, extra-high-, and ultra-high-voltage equipment.
• Experience estimating engineering design packages, including drawings, calculations, studies, bills of materials, and associated engineering effort.
• Knowledge of project estimating methodologies and cost engineering principles.
• Understanding of substation physical and outdoor design, construction, foundations, site preparation, protection and control schemes, SCADA, communications, testing, commissioning, and maintenance.
• Experience with construction, field testing, and commissioning activities is highly valued.
• Working knowledge of IEEE and ANSI standards and applicable codes, including NEC and NESC requirements.
• Familiarity with power systems automation, SCADA applications, and communications technologies.
• Ability to understand customer critical-to-quality requirements, define desired outcomes, and develop technical strategies designed to improve proposal win rates.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively across technical and commercial teams.
• A proactive, results-oriented mindset with a strong desire to win and continuously improve processes and outcomes.
• Ability to work independently while building consensus across multidisciplinary teams.
• A Professional Engineer (PE) license in the United States or Canada is preferred.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States is required.

Benefits

• Fully remote position within the United States.
• Base salary range of $89,300-$148,700, with geographic differentials of 110%, 120%, or 130% in certain locations.
• Eligibility for a discretionary annual bonus.
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• Access to a 24/7 nurse-based health coaching resource and confidential Employee Assistance Program.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company matching and retirement contributions.
• Access to financial planning resources and retirement support.
• Tuition assistance and adoption assistance.
• Paid parental leave and disability benefits.
• Life insurance coverage.
• 12 paid holidays and permissive time off.
• Professional development opportunities and exposure to challenging, large-scale energy infrastructure projects.
• No relocation assistance is provided.
• Up to 20% travel may be required, including occasional international travel.