Bid Manager

Thales is hiring a Bid Manager. Level rates it ; you can apply on Thales.

Level's read on this job

Little AI ●○○○ is how Level rates this role: aI is not part of the work.
The posting mentions bid management, proposal writing and project management among its tools and skills.
Level classes it as a senior role.
Thales has 3,600+ other open roles on Level.

AI in this role

Lead the end-to-end bid and proposal process for complex, high-value opportunities at Thales Alenia Space.

bid-managementproposal-writingproject-managementrisk-managementstakeholder-management

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!

How we rate this

Bid Manager at Thales rates 0 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Little AI (AI Level 1 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.

Classification

Little AI. AI is not part of the work.

●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
●○○○ Little AI0 to 39

Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.

Key facts

Bid Manager is an open job at Thales.
Level rates this role AI Level 1 of 4: Little AI.
The role is based in Madrid Tres Cantos.
The job was posted on October 15, 2026.
Seniority: senior.
Applications are handled by Thales. Apply on Thales

Prepare for this job

Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.

Skills and AI tools this role asks for

Bid ManagementProposal WritingProject ManagementRisk ManagementStakeholder Management

Questions you could be asked

Tell me about a project where bid management was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where proposal writing was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where project management was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where risk management was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where stakeholder management was part of your work. What did you do?

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List these exact terms on your resume: Bid Management, Proposal Writing, Project Management, Risk Management, and Stakeholder Management. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them. A tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.

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