Senior Proposal Manager

AeroVironment, Inc.; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 81,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401K with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking a Senior Proposal Manager to lead end-to-end proposal development from planning through delivery.

You will assemble resources, manage high-visibility programs, mentor junior staff, and ensure compliance with solicitation requirements across multiple large-scale bids. The role requires a Master’s degree, 10 years of federal proposal experience, and strong writing, communication, and process-management skills.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in relevant discipline is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Minimum of 10 years' experience working in Federal Government proposal development using the Shipley or similar proposal process.
• Working experience and thorough understanding of FAR/DFAR compliance with regard to US Government solicitations.
• Experienced in the aerospace or defense industry and has a clear understanding of the Business Development life-cycle.
• Demonstrated proposal writing excellence with comprehensive knowledge of solicitation analysis, developing compliance matrices, and generating proposal outlines.
• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrates high caliber of communication skills, both written and verbal.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for assembling required resources, skills, and matrixed support functions to develop proposal content and conformance to solicitation requirements.
• Successfully manages multiple large-scale proposals at one time.
• Mentors and tasks lower-level proposal managers with minor tasks.
• Provides tech writing and editing support to proposal efforts as needed.
• Manages proposals with high visibility among executive leadership team.
• Creates and implements proposal processes and procedures in accordance with best practices.
• Leads and participates in color team reviews, in accordance with best practices.
• Creates and successfully executes a thorough proposal schedule, meeting all proposal milestones set.
• Creates compliance matrix and proposal outline to track and ensure compliance with solicitation.
• Manages overall content design, development and review as well as overseeing proposal production and delivery activities.
• Manages proposal configuration control.
• Works with segment leadership and multiple functional groups to ensure clean execution and compliance of proposals and reviews.

Skills

Proposal management

Federal government proposals

Color team reviews

Communication skills

Independent judgment

Education

Master's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Worker Type Regular Job Description Summary

The Senior Proposal Manager's core function is to ensure the company's proposals are fully executed from start to finish. In this role, one is responsible for all aspects of the proposal development from planning through delivery, including proposal kick-off, compliance tracking, progress status, and conducting reviews. Position Responsibilities Responsible for assembling required resources, skills, and matrixed support functions to develop proposal content and conformance to solicitation requirements Successfully manages multiple large-scale proposals (e.g., Program of Record RFPs) at one time Mentors and tasks lower-level proposal managers with minor tasks Provides tech writing and editing support to proposal efforts as needed Manages proposals with high visibility among executive leadership team Creates and implements proposal processes and procedures in accordance with best practices Leads and participates in color team reviews, in accordance with best practices Creates and successfully executes a thorough proposal schedule, meeting all proposal milestones set Creates compliance matrix and proposal outline to track and ensure compliance with solicitation Manages overall content design, development and review as well as overseeing proposal production and delivery activities Manages proposal configuration control Works with segment leadership and multiple functional groups to ensure clean execution and compliance of proposals and reviews Works on problems of diverse scope that are moderately difficult where analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factors Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions Receives very little to no instruction on day-to-day work Demonstrates ability to use independent judgment in solving issues or making decisions in addition to supporting Proposal Management Director in providing Proposal Manager I and II with tasks Other duties as assigned

Position Responsibilities

• Responsible for assembling required resources, skills, and matrixed support functions to develop proposal content and conformance to solicitation requirements
• Successfully manages multiple large-scale proposals (e.g., Program of Record RFPs) at one time
• Mentors and tasks lower-level proposal managers with minor tasks
• Provides tech writing and editing support to proposal efforts as needed
• Manages proposals with high visibility among executive leadership team
• Creates and implements proposal processes and procedures in accordance with best practices
• Leads and participates in color team reviews, in accordance with best practices
• Creates and successfully executes a thorough proposal schedule, meeting all proposal milestones set
• Creates compliance matrix and proposal outline to track and ensure compliance with solicitation
• Manages overall content design, development and review as well as overseeing proposal production and delivery activities
• Manages proposal configuration control
• Works with segment leadership and multiple functional groups to ensure clean execution and compliance of proposals and reviews
• Works on problems of diverse scope that are moderately difficult where analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factors
• Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions
• Receives very little to no instruction on day-to-day work
• Demonstrates ability to use independent judgment in solving issues or making decisions in addition to supporting Proposal Management Director in providing Proposal Manager I and II with tasks
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Master's Degree in relevant discipline is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Minimum of 10 years' experience working in Federal Government proposal development using the Shipley or similar proposal process, including incremental proposal development (e.g., up-front planning; developing storyboards, mock-ups, and drafts using proposal outlines and compliance matrices; conducting incremental reviews/color teams)
• Working experience and thorough understanding of FAR/DFAR compliance with regard to US Government solicitations
• Experienced in the aerospace or defense industry and has a clear understanding of the Business Development life-cycle
• Demonstrated proposal writing excellence with comprehensive knowledge of solicitation analysis, developing compliance matrices, and generating proposal outlines
• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Demonstrates high caliber of communication skills, both written and verbal
• Successfully manages a multitude of ongoing proposals at once

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Current active Secret security clearance
• APMP, PMP, Shipley, Lean Six Sigma, or similar certification(s)
• Has strong organizational and leadership abilities with the ability to successfully work collaboratively and effectively with cross-functional team members at all levels of the organization in a dynamic work environment
• Has a full understanding of this area of specialization and resolves a wide range of issues in creative and effective ways
• Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties
• Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives
• Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products
• Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company
• Has effective problem-solving, analytical, interpersonal and communication skills
• Focuses on teamwork, collaboration and puts the success of the team above one's own interests

Benefits:

• AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.
• For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.
• We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

ITAR Requirement:

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Physical Demands

Ability to work in an office environment (Constant) Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent) Clearance Level Secret

Salary Range for this role

The salary range for this role is: $80,500 - $123,000

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

About AV:

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best. We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next. If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR U.S. Citizenship is required. Secret or Top Secret clearance, or the ability obtain a clearance is desired.

About AV:

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best. We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next. If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR U.S. Citizenship is required. Secret or Top Secret clearance, or the ability obtain a clearance is desired.

Careers at AeroVironment