Work Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)Environmental Conditions
OfficeJob Description
At Thermo Fisher Scientific, the Proposal Specialist, Large Molecules - mRNA, will support the development of high-quality, technically sound proposals for mRNA and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) programs. This role requires a strong technical understanding of mRNA/LNP manufacturing and the ability to translate complex client requirements into clear, commercially competitive scopes, pricing, and timelines.
Location: East Coast Remote
Position Summary:
The Proposal Specialist develops proposal documents ranging from high-level budgetary estimates to detailed scopes, Statements of Work, and Change of Scope documents for mRNA/LNP programs. The role assesses client requirements and collaborates with subject matter experts, Operations, Business Development/Management, Program Management, and Senior Leadership across global sites to define scope, resources, pricing, and timelines. The Proposal Specialist supports client discussions and proposal presentations and helps advance opportunities through contract execution and handoff to the program team.
Key Responsibilities:
- Evaluate RFIs/RFPs and client inputs to confirm technical needs, identify information gaps, and recommend an appropriate proposal strategy and project approach.
- Generate detailed proposals for mRNA drug substance and LNP development/manufacturing programs, including budgetary estimates, detailed scopes, Statements of Work, and Change of Scope documents.
- Translate technical requirements into accurate resource/FTE estimates, pricing assumptions, project timelines, deliverables, dependencies, and key proposal assumptions.
- Work with subject matter experts across global sites to develop technically feasible scopes aligned with client development/manufacturing needs and operational capabilities.
- Partner with Technical Subject Matter Experts, Business Development, Business Management, and Senior Leadership to develop and review competitive program pricing and commercial positioning.
- Act as a liaison between clients and technical teams; participate in client calls, proposal reviews, and scope discussions.
- Present proposals and explain Thermo Fisher Scientific's mRNA/LNP capabilities, technical approach, service standards, and options aligned with client needs.
- Read and understand applicable contractual terms and execute proposal revisions needed to support progression from proposal through contract signature.
- Routinely review and revise proposal template language, costing models, standard estimates, and timeline templates with input from subject matter experts and relevant stakeholders.
- Coordinate awarded-project handoff to Program Management and technical teams, ensuring transfer of scope, assumptions, pricing, timelines, and key client decisions.
- Collaborate with proposal teams and other Business Units to develop proposal strategy for integrated offering opportunities.
- Champion proposal process improvements, Operational Excellence initiatives, and internal training that improve proposal quality, consistency, and cycle time.
Minimum Requirements/Qualifications:
- Minimum of 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific or technical field; or 3 years of related experience with an advanced degree. An advanced degree is preferred.
- Demonstrated high-level technical understanding of mRNA and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) manufacturing processes and associated development and analytical support.
- Demonstrated experience preparing technical proposals, scopes, work statements, or comparable client-facing technical documentation.
- Experience translating complex technical requirements into resource estimates, budgets/pricing, and project timelines.
- Strong client-facing communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly to scientific and business audiences.
- Excellent written and oral English communication skills, including the ability to generate technically and grammatically sound proposal and contract language.
- Strong analytical and questioning skills, attention to detail, and the ability to identify scope gaps, assumptions, dependencies, and risks quickly.
- Strong collaboration skills across global, matrixed teams, including subject matter experts, Operations, commercial teams, Program Management, and Senior Leadership.
- Proficiency in MS Excel, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Project; experience with Salesforce, Smartsheet, and SharePoint is preferred.
Other Job Requirements:
- Experience in a CMO/CDMO environment and familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) is preferred.
- Prior mRNA and/or LNP technical experience is strongly preferred; experience with sterile drug product manufacturing is a plus.
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and tight proposal timelines simultaneously.
- Pragmatic, proactive, and flexible approach in a rapidly changing working environment.
- Ability to balance technical requirements, operational limitations, commercial objectives, and client expectations when developing proposal solutions.
- Ability to participate in and lead meetings across global time zones, including occasionally outside standard business hours.
- Ability to support customer visits, trade shows, or technical conferences as business needs require.
- Limited travel (5-10%) may be required.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range estimated for this position based in Minnesota is $75,800.00–$113,600.00.This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:
A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs
Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement
At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy
Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan
Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount
For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific or technical field and at least 5 years of related experience, or an advanced degree and at least 3 years of related experience.
- High-level technical understanding of mRNA and lipid nanoparticle manufacturing processes, development, and analytical support.
- Experience preparing technical proposals, scopes, statements of work, or comparable client-facing technical documentation.
- Experience translating technical requirements into resource estimates, budgets, pricing, and project timelines.
- Strong client-facing communication and presentation skills.
- Excellent written and oral English communication skills, including technical and contract language.
- Strong analytical, questioning, organizational, and attention-to-detail skills.
- Ability to identify scope gaps, assumptions, dependencies, and risks.
- Ability to collaborate across global, matrixed teams and multiple business functions.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Project.
- Experience with Salesforce, Smartsheet, and SharePoint.
- Advanced degree.
- Experience in a CMO/CDMO environment and familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
- Prior mRNA and/or LNP technical experience.
- Experience with sterile drug product manufacturing.
- Ability to participate in meetings across global time zones, occasionally outside standard business hours.
- Ability to support customer visits, trade shows, or technical conferences.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Thermo Fisher Scientific and has not been reviewed or approved by Thermo Fisher Scientific.
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Retirement Support — Retirement programs include a strong company 401(k) match and an employee stock purchase plan that add meaningful long‑term value. Feedback suggests these features stand out among core financial benefits even when base pay feels average.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage offers multiple national medical options alongside dental and vision, with company‑paid life and disability coverage. This breadth is considered a solid foundation even if some costs may not be the lowest among peers.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental and caregiver leave, backup care, adoption assistance, and specialized family resources are available. Feedback suggests these supports are a notable plus for colleagues managing family and caregiving needs.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Insights
What We Do
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the world leader in serving science, with annual revenue of approximately $40 billion. Our Mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. Whether our customers are accelerating life sciences research, solving complex analytical challenges, increasing productivity in their laboratories, improving patient health through diagnostics or the development and manufacture of life-changing therapies, we are here to support them. Our global team delivers an unrivaled combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and pharmaceutical services through our industry-leading brands, including Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific, Unity Lab Services, Patheon and PPD.
Why Work With Us
You will join a company which every colleague has the opportunity to create possibilities, for oneself, for our customers and patients. There is no more exciting place to be than at the forefront of solving problems which help improve lives around the world. As a company, we are committed to supporting your career aspirations and your journey.
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