Bid Manager

Location: Madrid Tres Cantos, Spain
A Joint Venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space is a global space manufacturer delivering, for more than 40 years, high-tech solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth Observation, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Thanks to our diversity of skills, talents and cultures, our customers (governments, institutions, space agencies, telecommunications operators), therefore have Space to Connect, Secure & Defend, Observe & Protect, Explore, Travel & Navigate.
Thales in Spain is a leader in technological solutions applied to Defence, Aeronautics, Security, Transportation and Space and, furthermore, is a global centre for excellence in Space, Security of Critical Infrastructures and Transportation. With a turnover of €320 million and a staff of 1,200, it exports approximately 40% of its total production principally to the Middle East, North Africa and Latin America.

As Bid Manager, you will lead the end-to-end bid and proposal process for complex and high-value opportunities, ensuring the delivery of compelling, competitive, and compliant proposals aligned with customer expectations and company objectives.

Acting as the central point of coordination between business development, engineering, program management, finance, contracts, and other key stakeholders, you will drive proposal excellence, manage risks and opportunities, and contribute to the sustainable growth of the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the full bid lifecycle, from opportunity qualification through proposal submission and contract award.
• Develop bid strategies that maximize competitiveness while balancing technical, commercial, financial, and contractual considerations.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams involved in the proposal process, ensuring alignment, accountability, and timely delivery of all bid inputs.
• Analyze customer requirements, RFPs, and tender documentation, translating them into clear action plans and proposal deliverables.
• Ensure technical, commercial, financial, and contractual compliance throughout the proposal development process.
• Consolidate and integrate contributions from all stakeholders into a coherent, customer-focused proposal package.
• Identify, assess, and manage bid risks and opportunities, ensuring appropriate mitigation actions are implemented.
• Lead internal bid reviews and approval gates, ensuring proposals meet quality standards and governance requirements.
• Monitor and validate bid costs, pricing assumptions, and business case inputs in collaboration with finance and operational teams.
• Support customer interactions during clarification, negotiation, and contract finalization phases.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, lessons learned activities, and proposal management best practices.
• Support business development activities by providing market insights and contributing to future growth opportunities within the space and high-technology sectors.

Qualifications & Experience

Education

• Master's Degree in Telecommunications Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

Experience

• Proven experience in bid management, proposal management, business development, or project management within engineering, aerospace, defense, space, telecommunications, or other high-technology industries.
• Experience managing complex, multidisciplinary proposals in an international environment.
• Solid understanding of commercial, contractual, financial, and technical aspects of the bidding process.

Technical Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of proposal and tender management processes.
• Experience with customer requirements analysis, risk management, and cost estimation methodologies.
• Knowledge of the Space industry, institutional customers, and space systems/products is highly valued.

Languages

• Fluent English (written and spoken) is mandatory.
• French is considered a strong asset.

Key Competencies

• Stakeholder Management
• Leadership & Influence
• Strategic Thinking
• Customer Orientation
• Results-Driven Mindset
• Planning & Organization
• Analytical Problem Solving
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Adaptability & Flexibility
• Negotiation & Communication Skills

What We Offer

·         Flexible and smart working model, including hybrid work arrangements and flexible working hours.

·         Competitive compensation and benefits package.

·         Free meals at the office.

·         28 business days of annual leave.

·         Company pension plan.

·         Individual learning and development programs.

·         Opportunities to work on cutting-edge space technologies and international projects.

·         Collaborative, innovative, and multicultural working environment.

·         Career growth opportunities within a rapidly evolving industry.

At Thales Alenia Space we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales Alenia Space employing around 8,900 employees in 10 countries with 17 sites in Europe and a plant in the US, our mobility policy enables employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad. Thales Alenia Space sees space as a new horizon, helping to build a better, more sustainable life on Earth #SpaceForLife. Great journeys start here, apply now!