Securing an Engineer for a Million Dollar Idea: A Guide to Crafting a Successful Request for Proposal (RFP)

If you have a million dollar idea for a device but no mechanical background, how do you go about getting an engineer to build a proof of concept for you?

The Initial Steps

First, you need a solid proposal. A well-articulated request for proposal (RFP) will be your primary tool in attracting the right engineers for your project. Contrary to popular belief, even a genius idea might not be readily understood by engineers. Therefore, it is imperative to provide a clear and comprehensive description of your project.

Documenting the Proposal

Begin by drafting a detailed RFP document. Describe what you want built and include the acceptance tests for what you envision as the end result. It is crucial to appreciate that you need expertise in mechanical design for this process. Instead of detailing 'how' it should work, focus on the 'what'.

For instance, if you need a package sorting system that takes an incoming stream of packages, scans their barcodes, and moves each box to the appropriate one of 16 different cargo carriers based on destination, describe this outcome without specifying the method of operation. Avoid over-constraining the problem with your imagined solution. For example, specifying a conveyor belt and 4 scanning stations would rule out a simpler solution involving a single scanning station with a robotic arm that directly routes boxes to each carrier.

Identifying Suitable Freelancers

To find the appropriate freelance designer, you can browse platforms such as Upwork, where you can find electrical, mechanical, and software engineers. Describe your project at a high level to gauge potential interest. Once you receive responses, share your RFP and request proposals.

Choosing the Right Bid

If your requirements are clear and fixed, consider asking for fixed fee bids with a "not to exceed" price. However, if you are relatively new to this field, you may need to revise your requirements as you learn more. This frequent iteration can make it difficult for freelancers to provide fixed bids. Instead, request time and materials bids with concise hourly or daily rate estimates and staff skills.

Ensure you have frequent checkpoints to review the work in progress. This way, you can cancel or modify the project if it becomes more complex than anticipated. Remember, the likelihood of a freelance engineer "stealing" your idea is minimal. Experienced engineers have seen many ideas that didn't pan out due to lack of commercial appeal. They prefer to get paid in cash rather than equity and would prefer a reliable paycheck to being an entrepreneur with a high risk of failure.

Key Considerations

It is not uncommon to find that selling the finished product is what you need to be good at, as it ensures the engineer you hire gets paid. People skilled in selling new products are typically not interested in freelance engineering work. Instead, focus on building a strong relationship with your engineer, ensuring clear communication, and being prepared to modify your requirements as needed.

By following these guidelines, you can increase your chances of securing the right engineer for your million dollar idea and successfully building a proof of concept.