Business Development Manager & Proposal Specialist -Heavy Civil
Location: Carlsbad, CA
Salary: Approximately $160,000 DOE
Industry: Heavy Civil Construction / Engineering
Employment Type: Full-Time
Experience: 2–5+ Years
Important Note – Please Read Before Applying
Local candidates preferred.
Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future employment sponsorship.
Must have relevant U.S. construction industry experience.
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Business Development & Proposal Specialist with a strong background in heavy civil construction, civil engineering, or the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry.
This position focuses on identifying new business opportunities and developing competitive, technically accurate, and compliant proposals for major infrastructure projects, including highways, bridges, structures, earthwork, and design-build projects.
The ideal candidate combines strong proposal writing and business development skills with a solid understanding of civil engineering and construction practices. Candidates with a background in civil or design engineering who have transitioned into proposal development or business development are particularly encouraged to apply.
This role requires close collaboration with estimators, project managers, engineers, and executive leadership to develop effective pursuit strategies and proposals that support profitable project awards.
Key Responsibilities
Proposal Development & Technical Writing
Prepare, develop, and coordinate responses to Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Qualifications (RFQs), Statements of Qualifications (SOQs), and other procurement documents.
Review solicitation requirements, identify evaluation criteria, and develop proposal compliance matrices, outlines, and submission schedules.
Write compelling executive summaries, technical approaches, project methodologies, safety narratives, and relevant project experience.
Translate complex engineering, estimating, and construction information into clear, persuasive proposal content.
Develop proposals for traditional heavy civil construction and alternative delivery methods, including Design-Build.
Ensure submissions meet client specifications, procurement requirements, formatting standards, and deadlines.
Review and edit technical content for accuracy, consistency, clarity, and overall proposal quality.
Business Development & Strategic Pursuits
Research upcoming infrastructure projects, public agency opportunities, and regional construction markets.
Identify potential clients, project opportunities, and strategic business development initiatives.
Monitor procurement trends, competitor activity, and upcoming project pursuits.
Support go/no-go evaluations, pursuit planning, and proposal strategies.
Assist in developing marketing collateral, capability statements, project profiles, and client presentations.
Coordinate technical information and presentation materials for project interviews and shortlisted pursuits.
Work with leadership to align proposal strategies with business development objectives.
Proposal Coordination & Content Management
Lead proposal kickoff meetings and coordinate deliverables across engineering, estimating, operations, and management teams.
Establish proposal schedules, assign responsibilities, and monitor progress toward submission deadlines.
Manage multiple proposal submissions simultaneously while maintaining accuracy and quality.
Develop and maintain a centralized content library containing company qualifications, standard narratives, past project descriptions, safety information, and staff resumes.
Coordinate internal reviews, revisions, document production, and final proposal submissions.
Maintain organized records of proposal activities, project opportunities, deadlines, and submission outcomes.
Identify opportunities to improve proposal processes, templates, and content management systems.
Technical Collaboration
Partner with civil engineers, design engineers, estimators, project managers, and executive leadership to develop technically sound proposals.
Gather and organize project information, construction methodologies, schedules, and technical qualifications.
Review engineering and construction documentation to ensure accurate representation of project capabilities.
Support proposal strategies for highways, bridges, structures, earthwork, and other heavy civil infrastructure projects.
Coordinate technical narratives for alternative delivery and Design-Build pursuits.
Required Qualifications
2–5+ years of experience in proposal writing, proposal coordination, business development, or related roles, preferably within the AEC industry.
Relevant experience in the U.S. heavy civil construction, civil engineering, or infrastructure sector.
Demonstrated experience preparing and coordinating RFPs, RFQs, SOQs, and technical proposals.
Strong technical writing, editing, and document-development skills.
Understanding of heavy civil infrastructure projects, including highways, bridges, structures, earthwork, and related construction activities.
Ability to interpret engineering and construction information and translate it into clear, compelling proposal content.
Experience coordinating with engineering, estimating, project management, and leadership teams.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and strict deadlines.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and document quality.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and related business applications.
Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Engineering, Marketing, Communications, or a related discipline.
Professional background in civil engineering, design engineering, or technical proposal development.
Experience with public infrastructure procurement and government agency solicitations.
Familiarity with Design-Build and alternative project delivery methods.
Experience developing proposals for transportation, highway, bridge, structural, or earthwork construction projects.
Experience supporting business development, project pursuits, and client presentations.
Knowledge of Adobe InDesign, Adobe Acrobat, or comparable proposal production software.
Experience managing proposal content libraries, project qualifications, and staff resumes.
Familiarity with public agency procurement processes and proposal evaluation criteria.
Experience developing pursuit strategies, executive summaries, and technical project approaches.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a technically knowledgeable professional who combines business development capabilities, proposal writing expertise, and an understanding of heavy civil construction.
They should be able to collaborate confidently with engineers, estimators, project managers, and senior leadership while independently managing proposal development from initial solicitation review through final submission.
A background in civil or design engineering, combined with experience in technical writing, project pursuits, or proposal management, would be particularly valuable.
The successful candidate will demonstrate strong communication skills, attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to develop high-quality proposals that effectively communicate technical capabilities and support business growth.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their updated resume to: info@rizenetwork.net or click here to submit your resume
Include your preferred date and time when submitting your application. Preferred Call Hours: Monday–Friday, 12:00 PM–4:00 PM Pacific Time.