Senior Proposal Manager

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.; Glen Burnie (MD); On-site; USD 115,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. is seeking a Senior Proposal Manager to lead high-stakes defense proposals within the Strategic Growth Programs Office.

You will shape winning strategies, manage cross-functional teams, and interact with executive leadership to drive pursuit excellence. In a lean, agile environment, you will oversee 10+ proposals annually valued from $100M to $1B+, applying Shipley methodology and ensuring 100% compliance with FAR/DFARS.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of proposal management experience in defense with proven wins.
• Led at least 3–5 proposals valued at $100M+ from gate to submission.
• Experience with DoD customers (AF, Space Force, Navy, Army, MDA, DARPA)

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end proposal development for new and strategic follow-on contracts including RFPs, BAAs, OTAs, and IDIQ task orders
• Serve as Proposal Manager for complex, multi-volume proposals with aggressive timelines
• Apply Shipley Associates methodology throughout the proposal lifecycle
• Develop and execute proposal schedules, compliance matrices, management plans, and quality control processes
• Interface directly with executives providing strategic guidance, risk assessments, and go/no-go recommendations

Skills

Proposal management

Shipley methodology

Leadership

Lean/Agile environments

DoD proposals

Contract vehicles knowledge

Job description

Salary : $115,000 USD Annually - $145,000.00 USD Annually

Years Of Experience : 7+

Job Description

Kratos Defense & Rocket Support Services Division is experiencing dramatic growth as a leading technology innovator in hypersonics, radar systems, test & evaluation, directed energy systems, test range and mobile medical vehicles, and weapon systems. We're winning—and we need a senior proposal leader within our Strategic Growth Programs Office to help us scale our success. At Kratos, proposal managers aren't administrators—they're strategic partners who shape how we win.

Our business development, capture, and proposal teams maintain high standards and expectations for every chosen pursuit. The team maintains a high win rate on competitive Department of War (DoW) and Federal Civilian acquisitions, both FAR-based and non-FAR based proposals. Kratos is recognized as a disruptive innovator by DoW customers, and we are growing from a mid-tier defense contractor to major program prime without the bureaucracy and inflexible processes.

Position Summary

Kratos is seeking a Senior Proposal Manager who thrives in a lean, high-performing environment. You'll lead the proposal team through small, medium, and large white papers and proposals that have varying levels of strategic value and complexity. This will include 10+ high-stakes proposals annually ($100M-$1B+) with direct access to executive leadership and the autonomy to shape both individual wins and our evolving proposal capability. This role is ideal for a Shipley expert who wants strategic influence without bureaucracy, wants to build and mentor a growing team, and is energized by disruptive technology missions that matter to national security. The Senior Proposal Manager will report to the Vice President, Strategic Growth Programs and serve as a key member of the Strategic Growth leadership team. This role partners closely with executive leadership, Capture Managers, Business Development, Operations, Contracts, Pricing, Engineering Department, graphic artists, technical writers and pricing analysts to drive successful pursuit execution across the enterprise.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end proposal development for new and strategic follow-on contracts including RFPs, BAAs, OTAs, and competitive IDIQ task orders
• Serve as Proposal Manager for complex, multi-volume proposals with aggressive timelines
• Apply Shipley Associates methodology throughout the proposal lifecycle
• Develop and execute proposal schedules, compliance matrices, management plans, and quality control processes
• Orchestrate kickoff meetings, daily standups, and color team reviews (Pink, Red, Gold) with executive reviewers
• Manage final production, ensuring compliance and on-time delivery
• Manage and continuously improve the proposal process and policies
• Strategic Partnership & Leadership
• Partner with Capture Managers to develop discriminating win strategies and compelling win themes
• Interface directly with executives (VP/SVP level) providing strategic guidance, risk assessments, and go/no-go recommendations
• Lead cross-functional proposal teams: capture, technical SMEs, pricing analysts, contracts, subcontractors, and teaming partners
• Translate complex technical solutions into customer-focused, benefit-driven proposal narratives
• Develop executive summaries that win—crisp, compelling, differentiated
• Compliance & Quality Assurance
• Ensure 100% compliance with government solicitation requirements (FAR/DFARS, agency-specific)
• Conduct rigorous compliance reviews and implement quality gates throughout proposal development
• Manage proposal risk areas and develop mitigation strategies
• Team Building & Process Evolution
• Mentor and develop junior proposal staff as the team grows
• Manage a lean, agile team: technical writers and business development associates (with plans to grow)
• Build scalable proposal processes that maintain agility while supporting growth
• Develop and maintain proposal content libraries, templates, and best practice documentation
• Provide Shipley training and coaching to cross-functional team members
• Drive continuous improvement: identify inefficiencies and lessons learned, then implement solutions

Experience and Skills

Experience & Track Record

• 7+ years of proposal management experience in the defense industry with a proven track record of wins
• Successful compliance and win rates on competitive DoW proposals
• Led at least 3-5 proposals valued at $100M+ from gate to submission as Proposal Manager
• Experience managing proposals for multiple DoW customers (Air Force, Space Force, Navy, Army, MDA, DARPA, or similar)
• Comfortable in lean/agile environments
• Trained in Shipley Associates proposal development methodology
• Deep understanding of capture-to-proposal transition, color team reviews, and proposal quality standards
• Comprehensive understanding of FAR/DFARS, mid-tier acquisition, and government source selection processes
• Experience with diverse contract vehicles: Cost-Plus, Fixed Price, IDIQ, OTAs
• Knowledge of proposal evaluation factors and how to win on LPTA vs. best-value trades
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance

Leadership & Professional Skills

• Excellent leadership skills
• Exceptional prioritization and time management under pressure
• Strategic thinker with operational execution discipline
• Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Education Reimbursement

Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race,color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as aprotected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable, state, and local laws.

Disability Accessibility Accommodation
If you require an accommodation to navigate or apply toour careers site, please send your request to [e-mail] or call 858-964-2916. Any inquiresnot related to requesting an accommodation will be discarded.

Pay Transparency
The company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate againstemployees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay ofanother employee or applicant.

Job Applicant Privacy Notice
For applicants in the EU and California residents, please review ourprivacy notice .

Resume

Resume content and forms have been trimmed for brevity in this refined view. This section preserves the essence of the application flow while removing non-essential boilerplate. The protected content and core job facts remain intact.