Proposal Writer (mid-senior level)

Peraton; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 104,000 - 166,000; Full time

Job summary

Peraton is seeking a mid-senior Proposal Writer to contribute to our Proposal Content Development team in delivering high-quality, compliant federal proposals. The role collaborates with solution architects, SMEs, and proposal leaders to craft strong technical and management narratives that differentiate us in a competitive market.

The candidate will translate SME input into concise, evaluator-focused responses, ensure adherence to RFP requirements, and help maintain consistency across volumes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 5+ years supporting federal proposals.
• Understanding of the proposal development lifecycle.
• Ability to synthesize SME input into clear, compelling narratives.
• Experience with federal RFP structures and compliance requirements.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and critical-thinking skills.
• Ability to handle multiple sections under tight deadlines.
• Experience collaborating within a matrixed proposal environment.
• Experience with AI writing tools and content automation.

Responsibilities

• Develop clear, compliant, evaluator-aligned proposal sections.
• Translate SME-provided information into concise, customer-focused responses.
• Incorporate value propositions, discriminators, and metrics as directed by volume leads.
• Collaborate with graphics teams to ensure alignment between narrative and visuals.
• Contribute to reusable content libraries, boilerplates, templates, and past performance summaries.
• Support surge efforts during high-volume proposal periods.
• Build skills in content planning and solution interpretation under guidance from senior team members.

Skills

Federal proposals

Technical writing

Editing

Synthesis of SME

AI writing tools

Team collaboration

Deadline management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Shipley methodology

Job description

Proposal Writer (mid-senior level)

Job Locations: US-VA-Herndon | US-VA-Reston | US-VA-Chantilly

Responsibilities

Join Peraton's Proposal Content Development team and contribute to producing high-quality, mission-critical federal proposals. We are expanding our team of disciplined, collaborative writers who thrive in fast-paced environments and take pride in delivering clear, compliant, evaluator-focused content. This role offers mid-level writers the opportunity to work closely with solution architects, SMEs, and proposal leaders to develop strong technical and management narratives that strengthen our competitive positioning.

If you love the challenge of translating complex solutions into compelling, evaluator-focused narratives that drive competitive advantage, we want to hear from you.

Position Overview

The Proposal Writer plays a central role in developing compliant, compelling content across technical, management, staffing, resumes, and past performance volumes. This writer works under the guidance of volume leads and in collaboration with Subject Matter Experts and Lead Solution Architects to develop sections, refine content, and ensure alignment with win themes and proposal standards.

The Proposal Writer does not manage direct reports but contributes to content development best practices and maintains consistency across deliverables.

1. Content Quality & Integration
   • Develop clear, compliant, and evaluator-aligned proposal sections.
   • Ensure assigned content meets RFP requirements and follows Peraton proposal standards.
   • Identify gaps or issues within assigned sections and collaborate with SMEs and volume leads to resolve them.
   • Support content integration across volumes by maintaining consistent messaging and terminology.
2. Content Development & Storytelling
   • Write and edit proposal narratives primarily for technical and management sections.
   • Translate SME-provided information into concise, customer-focused responses.
   • Incorporate value propositions, discriminators, and metrics as directed by volume leads.
   • Collaborate with graphics teams to ensure effective alignment between narrative and visuals.
3. Collaboration with SMEs, LSAs, and Capture
   • Work with SMEs and solution architects to gather inputs and refine technical or management content.
   • Participate in content planning sessions, interviews, and color team reviews as needed.
   • Deliver high-quality drafts that reflect guidance from SMEs, proposal managers, and solution leads.
   • Support alignment across multiple contributors to ensure consistent tone and messaging.
4. Content Standardization & Reuse
   • Contribute to reusable content libraries, boilerplate, templates, and past performance summaries.
   • Maintain version control and adhere to team writing standards and processes.
   • Suggest improvements to content organization, clarity, and structure where appropriate.
5. Professional Collaboration & Growth
   • Engage proactively with reviewers and incorporate feedback efficiently.
   • Support surge efforts during high-volume proposal periods.
   • Build skills in content planning and solution interpretation under guidance from senior team members.

Success Profile

The ideal Proposal Writer is:

• A strategic thinker with excellent writing discipline.
• Skilled at balancing creativity with compliance.
• Comfortable leading content development without formal people management.
• Highly organized and able to guide cross-volume consistency.
• Proactive, collaborative, and solutionoriented.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors and 5+ years of experience supporting federal proposals, including technical and management volumes (or equivalent professional writing experience). 4 years of additional experience will be considered in lieu of degree.
• Deep understanding of the proposal development lifecycle
• Strong ability to synthesize SME input into clear, compelling narrative.
• Demonstrated understanding of federal RFP structures and compliance requirements.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and critical-thinking skills.
• Ability to handle multiple sections or volumes under tight deadlines.
• Experience collaborating within a matrixed proposal environment.
• Experience with AI writing tools and content automation.
• Local to NoVA area and willing to work in office 4 days a week (and as needed) for proposal support.
• Experience working with solution architects, SMEs, and capture teams.
• Familiarity with Shipley or similar proposal methodologies.
• US Citizenship
• Ability to obtain a TS clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• TS/SCI clearance preferred.
• Experience supporting large, complex proposals (>$100M+).
• Ability to mentor other writers and provide constructive feedback.
• Experience with content planning and storyboarding.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills; ability to work effectively with technical SMEs and senior leaders

Peraton Overview

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.

Target Salary Range

$104,000 - $166,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual's experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.

EEO

EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.