Proposal Specialist

DCS; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

DCS Corporation is seeking an experienced Proposal Specialist to support the development of complex DoD and other government proposals. The role requires detailed RFQ/RFP analysis, cross-functional collaboration, and producing compliant, high-quality responses.

You will assist in planning, editing, desktop publishing, and production, maintain document control, and help deliver final proposals on schedule. Travel up to 10% may be required.

Qualifications

• US citizenship required due to sensitivity of customer-related requirements.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in proposal development.
• Experience supporting DoW or federal proposals preferred.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively under tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Analyze RFQ/RFP requirements and develop compliance matrices and schedules.
• Assist in planning activities, including features, benefits, and themes.
• Provide editing, desktop publishing, and production support for proposal volumes.
• Maintain document configuration control throughout proposal development.
• Coordinate with contributors to meet deadlines.
• Review proposals for compliance with all RFP requirements.
• Coordinate production and submission of final proposals.
• Support color reviews and develop proposal tools and templates.
• Serve as trainer for proposal systems and ongoing support.
• Travel up to 10% as required.

Skills

US citizenship

Proposal development

Editing & writing

Cross-functional collaboration

Graphic design awareness

Team collaboration

Time management

Attention to detail

Education

High School +10 years

Associate’s degree

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Proposal management systems

Job description

DCS Corporation is seeking an experienced Proposal Specialist to support the development of complex proposals in response to U.S. Government Department of War (DoW) and other government agency solicitations. The ideal candidate will be skilled across all phases of proposal development and demonstrate the ability to work effectively within cross‑organizational teams to produce high‑quality solutions and highly rated proposals.

Essential Job Functions:

• Perform detailed analysis of RFQ/RFP requirements and develop proposal planning documentation, including compliance matrices and schedules.
• Support the Proposal Manager and proposal teams in planning activities, including development of proposal features, benefits, and themes.
• Provide coordination, editing, desktop publishing, and production support for all proposal volumes, including cost and business volumes.
• Establish and maintain document configuration control throughout proposal development.
• Coordinate with proposal contributors to ensure all deadlines are met.
• Review proposals for compliance to ensure full satisfaction of all RFP requirements.
• Coordinate production and submission of final proposals.
• Schedule and support color review meetings as needed.
• Assist in developing and maintaining proposal management tools.
• Establish and maintain proposal workspaces.
• Act as the system administrator for proposal systems, ensuring proper configuration, maintenance, user access, and system integrity.
• Develop and maintain proposal templates.
• Serve as a trainer for proposal systems, guidance, and ongoing support to proposal contributors and teams.
• Perform occasional travel (less than 10%) as required.

Required Skills:

• U.S. Citizenship is required due to sensitivity of customer‑related requirements.
• High School +10 years of experience, Associate’s +4 years or Bachelors +2 years.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in proposal development.
• Strong preference for experience supporting technical/engineering proposals for DoW or other federal customers.
• Demonstrated creative and critical thinking skills, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively under tight schedule constraints.
• Experience working in a fast‑paced IDIQ task order response environment.
• Up‑to‑date knowledge of editing practices, graphic design standards, and other proposal development best practices.