Automation Proposal and Estimating Specialist

Working at Knobelsdorff (KE)

Along with building state-of-the-art projects, we build meaningful careers, lasting opportunities, and teams of dedicated individuals who truly own their work. As a leading turnkey specialty contractor specializing in Automation, Electric, Energy, and Power Services, our team tackles challenging, cutting-edge projects that provide opportunities to build new skills, confidence, and gain valuable hands-on experience in a variety of different industries. We tackle industrial electrical installations, advanced automation systems, and renewable energy solutions.

Since our founding as a family-owned company in 1988, we've grown while staying true to our core values. Starting your career with KE means joining a culture that values your contributions, moves quickly, takes calculated risks, and celebrates team members who step up and own their work.

If you're ready to join a team where your voice matters, your growth is supported, and your impact is celebrated, KE is the place for you.

This role supports the Automation division by turning complex customer opportunities into clear, technically sound, and commercially competitive proposals. You’ll be responsible for leading opportunities from initial RFQ through final proposal, developing accurate scopes and estimates that directly impact project execution, profitability, and the customer experience. Success in this role means reducing scope gaps, improving project handoffs, and delivering high-quality proposals, all while upholding KE’s commitment to Safety, People, Passion, and Performance. If you're someone who takes pride in doing things the right way and thrives in a fast-moving environment, this position is built for you.

What You’ll Do

You’ll be part of a team that gets things done, works with purpose, and takes pride in the results. Your day-to-day responsibilities may include:

Opportunity and Scope Development

• Take ownership of automation opportunities from initial RFQ through final proposal submission.
• Review customer specifications, P&IDs, control narratives, I/O lists, electrical drawings, network architecture, equipment documentation, and bid packages.
• Develop a strong understanding of the customer’s process, control philosophy, project requirements, and expectations.
• Identify scope gaps, technical risks, assumptions, exclusions, and missing information early in the process.
• Develop RFIs and technical clarification questions to help define the complete project scope.
• Coordinate with customers, vendors, OEMs, engineering firms, and internal stakeholders to gather required information.
• Clearly define KE’s responsibilities and exclusions before pricing a project.

Proposal and Estimating

• Build detailed automation quotations covering controls engineering, PLC programming, HMI and SCADA development, control panels, hardware, instrumentation, industrial networking, testing, commissioning, project management, travel, software, and related project costs.
• Develop accurate engineering, programming, manufacturing, commissioning, and project-management labor estimates.
• Work with suppliers and internal procurement resources to obtain accurate material pricing.
• Prepare clear scope descriptions, assumptions, exclusions, deliverables, schedules, and commercial clarifications.
• Develop technically detailed proposals that are clear and easy for customers to understand.
• Maintain consistency and quality across KE Automation quotations, regardless of project size or market.

Internal Leadership and Collaboration

• Coordinate proposal development with Business Development, Operations, Engineering, Manufacturing, Electrical, Project Management, Products and Innovation, and leadership.
• Ensure the appropriate technical stakeholders are involved before major proposals are submitted.
• Collect information, challenge assumptions, close open items, and communicate project risks.
• Confirm internal alignment on scope, pricing, resources, and execution expectations.
• Support clear handoffs from Business Development to Engineering and Operations following project award.
• Help improve estimating processes, tools, standards, templates, and historical cost data.
• Support future growth of KE Automation’s quotation and estimating function.

Site Investigation and Scope Development

• Travel to customer sites as needed for project reviews, site assessments, and scope development.
• Support retrofit and brownfield site investigations by reviewing existing controls and electrical infrastructure.
• Document current conditions, identify technical risks, and help establish the basis for modernization projects.
• Coordinate with customers and internal technical experts to validate field conditions and project requirements.

What You Bring

You’re someone who shows up ready to work hard, learn fast, and contribute to a team that takes pride in doing things right. Successful candidates typically bring:

• At least 5 years of experience in industrial automation, controls engineering, systems integration, or automation project execution.
• Working knowledge of PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems.
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, electrical schematics, control panel drawings, network architecture diagrams, instrumentation documentation, technical specifications, and bid packages.
• Experience developing project scopes, technical proposals, estimates, or automation project budgets.
• Understanding of industrial control systems, instrumentation, and process control applications.
• Ability to identify scope gaps, technical risks, assumptions, and exclusions within customer requirements.
• Experience coordinating with Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, Project Management, and Business Development teams.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills with the ability to manage multiple opportunities simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel for estimating and proposal development.
• Ability to travel to customer sites as needed for project reviews, site assessments, and scope development.

Bonus Points For

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, Industrial, or a related engineering field, or equivalent industry experience.
• Experience with Rockwell Automation or Allen-Bradley platforms.
• Experience with Ignition, FactoryTalk, Wonderware, AVEVA, VTScada, or similar SCADA platforms.
• Experience with control panel design, UL 508A panel manufacturing, or hardware engineering.
• Knowledge of industrial networking protocols, including EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, PROFINET, and DeviceNet.
• Experience in grain, feed, milling, food and beverage, oil and gas, chemical processing, manufacturing, or data center infrastructure.
• Experience in automation estimating, proposal development, applications engineering, sales engineering, or front-end engineering design.
• Experience supporting FAT, SAT, commissioning, and startup activities.
• Knowledge of instrumentation selection, specification, and implementation.
• Understanding of NEC, NFPA, and industrial electrical standards.
• Experience with ERP, estimating, CRM, or project-management software.
• PMP, CAP, CCST, PE, or another relevant automation or controls certification.

Key Competencies

• Technical curiosity and critical thinking.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Commercial and business acumen.
• Ability to challenge assumptions and identify project risks.
• High attention to detail.
• Ownership mindset and accountability.
• Collaboration and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.
• Interest in developing processes, standards, and future estimating teams.

Pay Range

We believe in paying for the value you bring to the team, and we aim to be competitive in every market we hire in.

Pay Range: $110,978.00 - $124,850.00 per year

Total Rewards 

As a full-time employee at KE, you'll have access to a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, wellbeing, and future. 

• 100% employer-paid health and dental coverage for employees 
• HSA contributions to support your medical expenses 
• Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage 
• 401(k) with competitive company match
• Paid weekly with competitive wages 
• PTO, six paid holidays, and education reimbursement 
• Exclusive employee discounts through Working Advantage 

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be provided for individuals with disabilities.

• Ability to sit, stand, kneel, stoop, and walk for long periods
• Ability to work in outdoor environments, including extreme weather conditions
• Ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds

Accessibility: If you need accommodations as part of the employment process, please contact KE Human Resources via email at HR@KEway.com.

Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO)

Knobelsdorff (KE) is an EEO to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:

• EEO is the Law (English/Spanish)

KE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. For more information about E-Verify, please review the E-Verify Participation and Right to Work posters

If you need accommodation during the hiring process, let us know and we’ll work with you.