Senior Graphic Designer - Proposals

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer - Proposals

Company: Schnabel Engineering

Location: Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, USA

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Services

Date Posted: March 13, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years (Senior)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the visual strategy and execution for complex engineering proposals, ensuring adherence to brand standards and RFP compliance.

• Lead the design and production of high-impact marketing collateral, including digital assets, print materials, and presentations.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with Business Development, Creative Services, and subject matter experts to translate technical concepts into compelling visual narratives.

• Serve as a guardian of quality control, meticulously refining all design outputs for consistency, clarity, and professional polish.

• Leverage advanced graphic design principles and tools to enhance the firm's competitive edge in proposal submissions and overall brand presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Senior Graphic Designer," the responsibilities, particularly focusing on proposal layout, RFP compliance, and close collaboration with Business Development Services, strongly indicate a role that bridges creative execution with strategic marketing operations. The emphasis on translating technical concepts into visual infographics also points to a need for understanding and conveying complex information, a key aspect of effective GTM support. The "10+ years experience" confirms a senior-level contribution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute compelling visual designs for technical proposals, ensuring alignment with RFP requirements, brand guidelines, and strategic objectives.

• Create and refine presentation decks, infographics, tables, and other visual elements that clearly communicate complex engineering concepts to diverse stakeholders.

• Manage the end-to-end design and production workflow for proposals, from initial concept and layout to final pre-press preparation and digital delivery.

• Process, retouch, and organize project photography, ensuring high-quality visual assets are integrated effectively into proposals and marketing materials.

• Design and produce a range of digital and print marketing collateral, including social media graphics, brochures, and other promotional materials, to support business development initiatives.

• Partner with proposal managers and subject matter experts to brainstorm design strategies and develop innovative visual approaches that differentiate Schnabel Engineering.

• Maintain and enforce brand standards across all design outputs, ensuring consistency in typography, color palettes, and visual messaging.

• Conduct thorough quality control checks on all design work, identifying and rectifying errors in layout, typography, imagery, and compliance.

• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks and meeting tight deadlines in a fast-paced, client-driven environment.

• Prepare graphics and materials for both print and digital applications, understanding the technical requirements and best practices for each medium.

📝 Enhancement Note: The original description lists several responsibilities. These have been expanded and clarified to emphasize the strategic and operational aspects relevant to a senior role within a GTM support function. The focus on "RFP compliance," "translating complex technical concepts," and "quality control" highlights the operational rigor expected.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

Required Skills:

• Advanced Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite: Expert-level command of InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and potentially Acrobat Pro for proposal layout, image manipulation, and graphic creation.

• Microsoft Office Suite Expertise: Strong skills in Word for proposal document integration, PowerPoint for slide deck design and refinement, and Excel for data visualization.

• Proposal Design & Production: Proven track record in designing and producing complex, multi-page proposals, ensuring RFP compliance and adherence to strict formatting requirements.

• Visual Communication & Infographics: Demonstrated ability to translate intricate technical information and data into clear, engaging, and visually compelling infographics, charts, and diagrams.

• Typography & Layout Mastery: Deep understanding of grid systems, typography principles, hierarchy, and layout design to create aesthetically pleasing and highly readable documents.

• Image Retouching & Manipulation: Exceptional skills in photo retouching, color correction, and image compositing to enhance the quality and impact of visual assets.

• Pre-press Production Workflows: Comprehensive knowledge of digital file preparation, color separations, bleed, trim, and other pre-press requirements for professional printing.

• Brand Stewardship: Strong understanding of brand guidelines and the ability to consistently apply them across all design outputs.

• Project Management & Time Management: Proven ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks effectively, and meet demanding deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Editorial Acumen: Excellent communication, proofreading, and editorial skills, ensuring accuracy and clarity in all design elements.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with proposal automation or content management systems.

• Familiarity with basic video editing or animation for digital presentations.

• Experience in the engineering, construction, or A/E/C industry.

• Knowledge of web design principles and digital asset optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The original requirements have been detailed and categorized to highlight the specific technical and soft skills crucial for a senior operations-adjacent role. The emphasis on "RFP compliance," "pre-press production," and "translating complex technical concepts" is crucial for operations candidates.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Proposal Design Case Studies: Showcase at least 2-3 comprehensive proposal designs, detailing the process from RFP analysis to final submission. Highlight specific challenges overcome, design solutions implemented, and the impact on proposal quality or win rates.

• Infographic & Data Visualization Examples: Present examples that demonstrate the ability to simplify complex technical data (e.g., engineering specifications, project timelines, performance metrics) into clear, engaging visual formats.

• Marketing Collateral Samples: Include examples of brochures, presentations, social media graphics, or other marketing materials that reflect a strong understanding of brand consistency and target audience communication.

• Image Retouching & Enhancement: Provide before-and-after examples showcasing advanced photo retouching and image manipulation skills.

• Brand Guideline Adherence: Demonstrate understanding and application of brand standards through a variety of projects, emphasizing consistency.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Be prepared to discuss your systematic approach to managing proposal design projects, including initial brief analysis, concept development, stakeholder feedback integration, revision cycles, and final production.

• Quality Control Protocols: Articulate your personal quality control process for design work, including specific checks for accuracy, consistency, compliance, and technical readiness for print or digital.

• Software Proficiency Demonstration: Be ready to discuss your experience with specific features and advanced functionalities within the Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office that are critical for proposal and marketing material production.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations roles, a portfolio is often critical. This section outlines specific types of work and process-oriented discussions that would be expected from a candidate for this senior design role supporting GTM functions. The focus is on demonstrable process and impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $32.00 - $45.00 per hour (Approx. $66,560 - $93,600 annually for a 40-hour work week).

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical and Dental insurance plans.

• Life & Disability Protection: Employee life & ADD insurance (100% company-paid), Short-term disability (100% company-paid), and Long-term disability coverage.

• Financial Security & Growth: 401(k) plan with profit-sharing, and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) recognizing long-term commitment.

• Flexible Spending Accounts: For healthcare and dependent care expenses.

• Performance & Recognition: Bonus program and recognition through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

• Work-Life Balance: Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and 9 Paid Holidays.

• Employee Wellness: Active Wellness Program offering incentives for healthy lifestyles.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for professional development and tuition reimbursement to support continuous learning and career advancement.

• Supplemental Insurance: Supplemental life insurance options.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time position, typically around 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, there may be occasional flexibility required to meet critical project deadlines, especially during peak proposal periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided hourly rate has been converted to an annual range for better context. The benefits list has been organized and slightly elaborated based on common offerings for professional roles in engineering firms. The working hours note acknowledges potential for occasional overtime common in proposal-driven roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Engineering Consulting (Specializing in Dam, Geotechnical, Geostructural, and Tunnel Engineering). Schnabel Engineering operates within a highly technical and project-driven sector where precision, reliability, and client trust are paramount. This industry context emphasizes the need for clear, accurate, and professional visual communication.

Company Size: Over 700+ employees across 31 offices nationwide. This indicates a well-established, mid-to-large sized firm with robust processes and a significant national presence.

Founded: 1956. With a history spanning over six decades, Schnabel Engineering has a strong legacy of expertise, client service, and stability. This longevity suggests a culture that values experience, long-term relationships, and continuous improvement.

Team Structure:

• Creative Services Team: This role sits within the Creative Services department, reporting to the Director of Creative Services. This team is likely composed of other designers, content specialists, and potentially marketing coordinators.

• Business Development Services Group: The Senior Graphic Designer will work closely with this group, which includes proposal managers and business development professionals. This cross-functional collaboration is key to understanding client needs and competitive positioning.

• Proposal Development Teams: Direct collaboration with these teams means working alongside engineers, project managers, and subject matter experts who provide the technical content.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The emphasis on translating complex technical concepts into visual infographics suggests a data-driven approach to design, where clarity and accuracy are prioritized.

• Process-Oriented Workflow: Schnabel's size and history imply structured workflows for proposal development, project management, and quality assurance, which this role must integrate into.

• Brand Consistency Focus: The role's responsibility as a "front-line guardian of quality control" and its emphasis on brand standards points to a methodology that values consistency and brand integrity across all communications.

Company Website: schnabel-eng.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Information from the "Input Data" and "LinkedIn Company Data" sections has been synthesized to provide context relevant to operations professionals. The industry and company size are interpreted for their implications on design and marketing operations.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Graphic Designer. This position represents a senior individual contributor role within the Creative Services function, with significant responsibility for a critical GTM process (proposal development). It requires advanced technical skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to work autonomously and mentor junior staff if applicable.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Director of Creative Services. This implies a clear line of reporting and potential for mentorship from a senior leader in the creative field.

Operations Impact: The Senior Graphic Designer has a direct impact on Schnabel Engineering's ability to win new business. High-quality, compliant, and visually compelling proposals are crucial for differentiating the company from competitors and communicating its expertise effectively. This role is integral to the Business Development Services group's success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in Design: Potential to grow into a Lead Designer or Art Director role within Creative Services, overseeing more complex projects or managing junior designers.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like proposal design, data visualization, or digital marketing asset creation.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain deeper insights into other GTM functions such as Business Development, Marketing Strategy, and Client Relations through close collaboration.

• Process Improvement: Contribute to the refinement and optimization of the proposal design process, driving efficiency and effectiveness.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor and guide less experienced designers within the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis focuses on the career trajectory and impact of a senior design role within an operations context, highlighting how it contributes to business objectives and offers professional development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site. The role is based in Schnabel Engineering's Chadds Ford, PA office. This suggests a traditional office environment where in-person collaboration, access to office resources, and direct interaction with colleagues are expected.

Office Location(s): Chadds Ford, PA. As Schnabel has 31 offices nationwide, this specific location will have its own local office culture and team dynamics.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The job description emphasizes collaboration with Creative Services and Business Development Services teams, indicating a work environment that values teamwork and open communication.

• Resource Availability: As an established firm, expect access to necessary design software, hardware, and potentially a dedicated studio space or shared creative work area.

• Cross-functional Interaction: Regular interaction with engineers and project managers means the workspace facilitates communication and information exchange between creative and technical professionals.

• Focus on Quality: The emphasis on "guardian of quality control" suggests an environment where attention to detail and high standards are appreciated and expected.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week) are expected. While the role is on-site, the demands of proposal deadlines might occasionally require flexibility or extended hours to ensure timely delivery of critical client materials.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section extrapolates the work environment based on the "on-site" designation and the collaborative nature of the role, providing context for operations professionals accustomed to various work settings.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application Review: Submission of resume, cover letter, and portfolio. Emphasis will be placed on the quality and relevance of the portfolio to proposal design and marketing collateral.

• Screening Interview: A preliminary discussion, likely with HR or the hiring manager, to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Technical Interview/Portfolio Review: A more in-depth session where the candidate presents their portfolio, discusses their design process, explains their approach to RFP compliance, and answers technical questions related to design software and production. This is where the ability to translate complex concepts will be evaluated.

• Team/Manager Interview: Meeting with the Director of Creative Services and potentially other team members or proposal managers to assess collaboration style, problem-solving abilities, and fit within the team dynamics.

• Final Interview (if applicable): Potentially a discussion with higher-level management or a final confirmation interview.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that directly showcase experience in proposal design, RFP compliance, infographic creation, and marketing collateral for professional services.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the objective, your role, the challenges faced (e.g., complex technical data, tight deadlines), your design solution, the tools used, and the outcome or impact.

• Highlight Process: Be prepared to walk through your design process, from initial brief and concept development to final output and quality control. Demonstrate how you translate technical requirements into visual solutions.

• Showcase Technical Proficiency: Include examples that clearly demonstrate your mastery of Adobe Creative Suite, especially InDesign for layout and Photoshop/Illustrator for graphics and retouching.

• Emphasize Detail & Compliance: For proposal examples, explicitly point out how you ensured RFP compliance, maintained brand consistency, and executed meticulous detail.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Scenario: Be ready for a hypothetical scenario where you might be asked to design a specific element for a proposal (e.g., an infographic for a process, a cover page layout) or critique an existing design.

• Troubleshooting: Prepare to discuss how you would handle challenges such as conflicting stakeholder feedback, unexpected technical requirements, or tight turnaround times.

• Industry Knowledge: Familiarize yourself with Schnabel Engineering's services (geotechnical, dam, tunnel engineering) and their typical proposal documentation needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice tailored for a design role supporting operations, focusing on the portfolio's role in demonstrating process, technical skill, and operational understanding.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Software:

• Adobe InDesign: Essential for proposal layout, document design, and complex typesetting.

• Adobe Photoshop: Crucial for image retouching, manipulation, and creating graphical elements.

• Adobe Illustrator: Used for creating vector graphics, logos, icons, and detailed illustrations.

• Adobe Acrobat Pro: Necessary for PDF creation, editing, pre-press checks, and form creation.

Productivity & Collaboration Tools:

• Microsoft Office Suite:

  • Word: For integrating text content into layouts, managing revisions, and ensuring text-based RFP compliance.
  • PowerPoint: For designing and refining slide decks for presentations.
  • Outlook: For communication, scheduling, and task management.

• Project Management Software: Potentially used for task tracking and workflow management (e.g., Asana, Monday.com, or internal systems).

Potential Supporting Tools (depending on team structure):

• DAM (Digital Asset Management) System: For organizing and accessing project photos and brand assets.

• Collaboration Platforms: Such as Microsoft Teams or Slack for internal communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section details the specific software and tools critical for a graphic designer in this type of role, emphasizing their application in proposal and marketing operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Precision & Accuracy: A core value, reflecting the engineering industry and the critical nature of proposal accuracy. This means meticulous attention to detail in all design work.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: The role requires working closely with various teams, emphasizing the importance of effective communication, shared goals, and mutual support.

• Client Focus: Understanding that design work directly supports client acquisition and relationship building, driving a focus on delivering value and meeting client expectations.

• Brand Integrity: Upholding and enhancing the company's brand identity through consistent, high-quality visual representation.

• Problem-Solving: Proactively identifying and solving design challenges, especially in translating complex technical information into understandable visuals.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Partnership: Working closely with engineers, proposal managers, and business development professionals to gather information, understand project needs, and ensure designs meet technical and strategic requirements.

• Feedback Integration: Openness to receiving and incorporating feedback from various stakeholders, balancing creative vision with client and internal input.

• Proactive Communication: Maintaining clear and consistent communication regarding project status, potential challenges, and design concepts.

• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share design best practices and contribute to the overall creative output of the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section interprets the company's likely values and collaboration style based on its industry, size, and the explicit requirements of the role, framing them from an operations and GTM perspective.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Technical Complexity: The primary challenge is effectively visualizing highly technical and specialized engineering information (geotechnical, dam, tunnel engineering) in a way that is easily understood by non-technical or semi-technical audiences.

• RFP Compliance Rigor: Navigating and strictly adhering to detailed and often rigid RFP (Request for Proposal) requirements, which can limit creative freedom but are essential for bid success.

• Balancing Brand Standards with Client Needs: Ensuring designs are both visually appealing and compliant with Schnabel's brand guidelines while also meeting the specific aesthetic or informational demands of diverse clients.

• Managing Multiple Stakeholder Inputs: Effectively managing feedback and requirements from various internal teams (Business Development, Engineering, Creative Services) who may have differing priorities.

• Fast-Paced Proposal Cycles: Working under tight deadlines common in the proposal development process, requiring efficient workflow and rapid iteration.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to deepen expertise in proposal layout, data visualization, and infographic design through challenging projects.

• Industry Knowledge Acquisition: Gaining a strong understanding of Schnabel Engineering's core services and the typical language and visual needs of the engineering consulting sector.

• Process Optimization: Contributing to and learning from the refinement of the proposal development and design workflow.

• Mentorship: Learning from the Director of Creative Services and collaborating with experienced professionals in both design and engineering fields.

• Software Proficiency: Potentially exploring new features or advanced techniques within the Adobe Creative Suite and other relevant tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: Identifying potential challenges and growth opportunities provides a realistic outlook for candidates, highlighting areas where they can develop skills and contribute strategically.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Proposal Design Process: "Describe your end-to-end process for designing a complex engineering proposal, from initial RFP review to final file preparation. How do you ensure RFP compliance and brand consistency throughout?"

• Translating Technical Data: "Walk me through a project where you had to translate highly technical or data-intensive information into a clear and compelling infographic or visual. What was your approach, and what were the results?"

• Collaboration & Feedback: "How do you handle conflicting feedback from different stakeholders on a proposal design? Describe a time you had to negotiate design choices to meet multiple objectives."

• Quality Control: "What is your personal quality control checklist for a proposal document before it's sent for printing or submission? How do you identify and prevent errors?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• Industry Understanding: "What interests you about working in the engineering consulting industry, specifically with a firm like Schnabel Engineering?"

• Brand Alignment: "How would you approach maintaining and enhancing Schnabel Engineering's brand identity within the context of proposal design?"

• Teamwork: "Describe your ideal working relationship with proposal managers and engineers. How do you foster collaboration?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio presentation logically, perhaps by project type (Proposals, Infographics, Marketing Collateral) or by showcasing the most relevant work first.

• Focus on Process, Not Just Polish: For each project, emphasize the "why" and "how" – the problem, your solution, and the process. This demonstrates critical thinking and operational understanding.

• Quantify When Possible: If you can, mention any quantifiable impact, such as "improved readability," "helped secure X project," or "reduced production errors by Y%."

• Tailor to Schnabel: Briefly explain why your chosen projects are relevant to Schnabel Engineering's needs and the specific requirements of this Senior Graphic Designer role.

• Be Ready for Live Exercises: Prepare for potential brief design exercises or critiques on the spot.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section offers specific, actionable advice on how to prepare for interviews for this type of operations-adjacent role, focusing on demonstrating process, technical skill, and strategic thinking.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Graphic Designer - Proposals position:

• Submit your application: Navigate to the provided UltiPro application link and complete the online application form.

• Craft a targeted cover letter: Clearly articulate your interest in Schnabel Engineering and this specific role. Highlight your 10+ years of experience in proposal design, your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office, and your ability to translate complex technical information into compelling visuals.

• Prepare your portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, well-organized, and showcases your strongest work relevant to proposal design, RFP compliance, infographic creation, and marketing collateral for professional services. Be ready to present specific case studies.

• Optimize your resume: Tailor your resume to emphasize achievements and responsibilities related to proposal development, marketing operations, quality control, and cross-functional collaboration within a technical or professional services environment. Use keywords from the job description.

• Research Schnabel Engineering: Familiarize yourself with the company's services, past projects, and values to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding during the interview process.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.