Change Order Proposal Manager

Job Description
The Change Order Proposal Manager is a critical leadership role responsible for overseeing the identification, quantification, and pricing of scope changes during vessel repair projects. This role manages a team of estimators, schedulers and planners to ensure that all deviations from the original contract are accurately captured, priced, and submitted for customer approval in a timely manner.
Key Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Management
• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of estimators, schedulers and planners providing technical guidance on complex repair scopes.
• Allocate resources across multiple concurrent projects to ensure balanced workloads and deadline adherence.
• Establish standardized estimating templates and workflows to ensure consistency across all change order submissions.
• Conduct performance reviews and identify training needs to improve the team's technical proficiency in maritime repair.
• Oversee the end-to-end change order process: from the initial issuance of change order to final customer sign-off.
• Review and validate labor hours, material costs, and subcontractor quotes for accuracy.
• Collaborate with Project Managers, Production Superintendents and Contracts to ensure that "growth work" is identified immediately upon discovery.
• Monitor the financial health of projects by tracking the delta between the original bid and the final contracted value.
• Analyze trends in change order growth to improve the accuracy of future base-bid estimates.
• Ensure all change orders are documented with sufficient evidence (photos, reports, and logs).
• Provide senior leadership with regular reports on pending vs. approved change order values.
• Partner with the Procurement department to secure real-time pricing for materials.
• Work closely with the Planning department to integrate approved change orders into the production schedule.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills
Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Construction Management, or equivalent years of experience.
• Experience: 7+ years of experience in shipyard procurement, estimating or project management, specifically within vessel repair/maintenance.
• Deep understanding of shipyard labor trades (welding, piping, blasting/painting, mechanical).
• Proficiency in estimating software and advanced Excel.
• Strong knowledge of maritime contract law and "Change Order" clauses.

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
Preferred Skills

• Negotiation: Proven track record of successfully negotiating high-value contracts and amendments.
• Analytical Thinking: Ability to quickly synthesize complex technical data into a clear financial proposal.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for interacting with internal and external stakeholders.

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $107952 - $183518
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems, Inc.
BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.
Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.