Proposal Manager

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California.

📋 Description

• Take charge of proposal strategy and execution for all ongoing pursuits: set win themes, align technical strategies, oversee compliance reviews, and ensure proposals are submitted on time.

• Act as Proposal Lead for current opportunities: facilitate kickoff meetings, delegate writing tasks, establish clear milestones, manage proposal timelines, and identify obstacles early.

• Develop and maintain a proposal asset library consisting of high-quality, reusable templates, including cover letters, SOWs, compliance matrices, cost volumes, organizational capability narratives, and past performance summaries.

• Convert technical concepts into evaluator-focused narratives: collaborate with Engineering, Product, and Program teams to simplify complex capabilities into clear, persuasive proposal language that resonates with both government and commercial evaluators.

• Organize cross-functional reviews to test win themes, validate compliance, confirm cost realism, and ensure all sections contribute to a cohesive and distinct narrative prior to submission.

• Oversee proposal timelines and status tracking, including risk assessment, milestone tracking, and resource coordination across various functions.

• Enhance proposal operations and process improvements: create scorecards, checklists, and workflows that promote consistent and scalable proposal execution as the organization evolves.

• Lead the coordination of pricing and cost volumes between technical teams and Finance to ensure credible and competitive cost narratives that align with the technical scope.

• Manage multiple simultaneous proposals at different stages of development, keeping organized documentation, compliance artifacts, and version control in place.

• Ensure compliant submissions through government portals (SAM.gov, agency-specific systems).

⛳️ Requirements

• Over 8 years of experience in proposal management, program management, or government contracting within defense technology, space, dual-use, or comparable professional experience.

• Demonstrated success in leading proposals from kickoff to submission for SBIRs, RFPs, BAAs, or similar government solicitations.

• Strong technical communication abilities: capable of translating engineering and product concepts into clear, evaluator-friendly narratives without oversimplifying.

• Basic understanding of engineering, product development, and systems architecture to facilitate credible technical scoping and writing.

• Proficiency in CRM and pipeline tools for deal tracking, reporting, and workflow management.

• Familiarity with government procurement processes, FAR/DFARS compliance, and common submission portals and timelines.

• Comfort in process development: capable of creating and refining templates, scorecards, checklists, and workflows that can scale and improve over time.

• APMP, PMP, or Shipley certification (or an equivalent credential in proposal management).

• Experience in sectors such as space, defense, Earth observation, or robotics.

• Extensive expertise in SBIR/STTR, including strategies for Phase I to Phase II positioning and program structure.

• Practical experience with pricing, including rate structures, LOE estimation, risk/reserve methodologies, and budget narrative development.

• Familiarity with proposal automation tools or proposal writing platforms (e.g., Deltek, Responsive, and other proposal software ecosystems).

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive compensation package that includes base salary and bonus.

• Meaningful equity opportunities.

• Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance plans with $0 paycheck contribution.

• Competitive PTO and a comprehensive company holiday calendar.

• Unlimited AI tokens.

• Daily catered lunch and a fully stocked kitchen.

• EV charging facilities.

• Relocation assistance (based on role eligibility).