Caterpillar, Inc

Capture & Proposal Manager - Defense

Caterpillar, Inc$159K — $238K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in business development or a related field
  • Knowledge of U.S. federal procurement regulations such as FAR and DFARS
  • Proposal development training/certification from recognized bodies (e.g., Shipley Associates, APMP)
  • Experience developing capture plans and winning proposals
  • Proficiency in office software and financial analysis
  • Demonstrated historical win rate of >35% with captures exceeding $100M
  • Ability to obtain a US Secret clearance

Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with stakeholders to grow opportunity pipelines
  • Lead proposal teams for key opportunities and ensure compliance
  • Integrate market intelligence into capture plans
  • Develop strategies for customer influence and win positioning
  • Improve pricing strategies for competitive proposals
  • Coordinate early strategy development for opportunity pursuits
  • Educate and enhance proposal capabilities across the business unit

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Paid time off including vacation and holidays
  • 401(k) savings plan
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Career development opportunities
  • Incentive bonuses
  • Tuition reimbursement
Full Job Description

Career Area:

Sales

Job Description:

Job Summary:

Caterpillar Defense is seeking aCapture & ProposalManager in Irving, TXreporting to the Director of Business Development. This role is responsible for capturing new business supporting U.S. federal and international governments requirements.

The position is also responsible for leading and capturing key opportunities from qualification to contract award across one or more of Caterpillars machines, engine, electric power, marine and lifecycle segments.

What You Will Do:

  • Collaborate closely with the Director of Business Development, Defense Product Segment Directors, business resource leads and SMEs throughout the organization to support the achievement of both mid and long-term opportunity pipeline growth objectives.

  • Lead proposal teams for designated key opportunities. Coordinate Engineering, Product Group, Contracting and Legal, and external proposal resources to deliver winning and compliant proposals to US government, allied, and OEM customers.

  • Integrate market, customer, and competitor intelligence with internal management and financial concerns into key opportunity capture plans.

  • Oversee opportunity-specific customer influence and win strategy development and implementation.

  • Grow and improve Cat Defense price-to-win methods for Develop offering and winning prices supported by risk and opportunity strategies.

  • Lead early strategy development and coordinate with stakeholders to assign pursuit team members.

  • Lead and implement education to grow proposal and capture capability across the Cat Defense business unit.

  • Plan and manage the pursuit and proposal support budget for all opportunities in the Defense business unit, and coordinate reviews and approval requirements for offering, cost/price, and proposal deliverables.

  • Ensure the capture positioning and the offering is aligned with customer needs and the winning price.

What You Will Have:
Industry Knowledge: Knowledge of the organizations industry group, trends, directions, major issues, regulatory considerations, and trendsetters; ability to apply industry knowledge appropriately to diverse situations.

Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.

Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.

Negotiating: Knowledge of successful negotiation concepts and techniques; ability to negotiate successfully across the organization and with external vendors and clients in a constructive and collaborative manner.

Relationship Management: Knowledge of relationship management techniques; ability to establish and maintain healthy working relationships with clients, vendors, and peers.

Top Candidates Will Also Have:

  • Experience with defense, or adjacent industry, business development, capture, or proposal management.

  • Understanding of U.S. federal procurement regulations (including FAR and DFARS), Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Other Transaction Authority (OTA).

  • Proposal development training and/or certifications from Shipley Associates, APMP or a compatible corporate certification

  • Previous experience developing capture plans and winning proposals for commercial solutions, development programs, and replacement and sustainment efforts.

  • Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software and some financial analysis experience.

  • Evidence of historical win rate exceeding >35% and cumulative captures >$100M

Additional Information:

  • Up to 25% travel required

  • Candidate must have, or have the qualifications to acquire, a US Secret clearance.

Summary Pay Range:

$159,120.00 - $238,680.00

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location,job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.

Benefits:

Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.

  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits*

  • Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*

  • 401(k) savings plans*

  • Health Savings Account (HSA)*

  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*

  • Health Lifestyle Programs*

  • Employee Assistance Program*

  • Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*

  • Career Development*

  • Incentive bonus*

  • Disability benefits

  • Life Insurance

  • Parental leave

  • Adoption benefits

  • Tuition Reimbursement

* These benefits also apply to part-time employees

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Posting Dates:

September 9, 2026 - September 16, 2026

About Caterpillar, Inc

Progress Rail Services Corporation, a Caterpillar company, is one of the largest integrated and diversified suppliers of railroad and transit system products and services worldwide. Since its acquisition by Caterpillar Inc. in 2006, Progress Rail has used the Caterpillar international footprint to gain quick and widespread notice and approval across the globe. Product technology, reliability and durability, along with legendary aftermarket parts and service support, have been their keys to success. Caterpillar is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines. The technology and world reach of Caterpillar, combined with the service standard and historical reliability of Progress Rail, ensures their products and services make a growing impact on the world rail industry. With their acquisition of Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD), Progress Rail is the world's largest builder of diesel-electric locomotives for all commercial railroad applications including freight, intercity passenger, commuter, switching, industrial and mining. EMD is also a global provider of diesel power engines for marine propulsion, offshore and land based oil well drilling rigs and stationary power generation. Electro-Motive is the only diesel engine manufacturer of its size to have produced more than 70,000 engines. This success stems from product reliability, serviceability, load acceptance capability, low operating costs and ease of maintenance with standardized components.

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Learn more about Caterpillar, Inc
Size
107,700 employees
Market Cap
$125.3 billion
Industry
Net Income
$2.9 billion
Founded
1925
5 Year Trend
+5.8%
Revenue
$41.7 billion
NASDAQ

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