Senior Proposal Writer

Zone 5 Technologies; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401k with company-match

Paid time off

Company holidays

Job summary

Zone 5 Technologies is seeking a Senior Proposal Writer to craft persuasive proposals for UAS programs and defense systems. You will translate complex technical concepts into compelling narratives, coordinate with TPMs, engineers, contracts, and leadership, and drive content across sections aligned with customer requirements and evaluation criteria.

The role requires strong writing, interviewing, and organizational skills, plus a solid understanding of federal acquisition processes and defense

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in English, technical communication, journalism, or related field.
• 5–7 years as a proposal writer for aerospace/defense/manufacturing.
• Proven success in winning competitive proposals.

Responsibilities

• Plan, write, and maintain customer-focused proposals for aerospace systems and products.
• Analyze RFPs, RFIs, BAAs, SOWs to determine proposal requirements.
• Collaborate with capture managers to understand win themes and priorities.
• Interview SMEs to gather technical, management, and operations information.
• Write and edit technical, management, and executive summary sections.
• Ensure content complies with solicitation instructions and evaluation criteria.

Skills

Proposal writing

FAR understanding

Excellent writing

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

At Zone 5 Technologies, we're redefining what's possible in unmanned aircraft systems. Our team of engineers and innovators is developing cutting-edge autonomous solutions that push the boundaries of UAS technology - solving complex challenges that matter.

We're building the future of UAS capabilities, and we're looking for exceptional talent to join us. If you're driven by hard problems, energized by rapid innovation, and ready to make an impact on next-generation flight systems, you belong here.

We're seeking a Senior Proposal Writer to develop and maintain highly informed and persuasive proposal content in support of competitive bids for our Unpiloted Aerial Systems (UASs) programs. The ideal candidate has a background in aerospace and/or defense proposal creation, and experience translating technical subject matter into compelling, clear, and concise proposal materials.

You will work closely withTechnicalProgramManagers(TPMs),businessdevelopment professionals, engineers,contracts, finance,manufacturing,quality,technical writers,andexecutive leadershipto transform technical, management, and operational information into persuasive proposal narratives that align with customer requirements and evaluation criteria.

The Senior Proposal Writer leads the development of proposal sections, contributes to win strategies and messaging, ensures compliance with solicitation requirements, and produces high-quality proposal documents under demanding deadlines. The position requires exceptional writing, editing, interviewing, and organizational skills, along with a strong understanding of the federal acquisition process and defense industry terminology.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan, write, andmaintaincustomer-focusedproposalsfor aerospace systems and products.
• Analyze Requests for Proposal (RFPs), Requests for Information (RFIs), Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs), Statements of Work (SOWs), and evaluation criteria todetermineproposal requirements.
• Collaborate with Capture Managers to understand win themes, discriminators, and customer priorities.
• CollaboratewithTechnical ProgramManagers(TPMs),business development professionals, engineers,contracts, finance, manufacturing, quality, technical writers,andexecutive leadershipto transform technical, management, and operational information into persuasive proposal narratives that align with customer requirements and evaluation criteria.
• Interview subject matter experts to gather technical, management, manufacturing,logistics, quality assurance, cybersecurity, and program execution information.
• Write and edit technical, management, executive summary, past performance, staffing, quality, manufacturing, and transition plan sections.
• Ensure proposal content is compliant with solicitation instructions, page limitations, formatting requirements, and evaluation criteria.
• Develop proposal outlines, storyboards, content plans, and annotated templates.
• Produceoracquireillustrations,diagrams,and othervisual aids to enhancetheunderstanding of complex aerospace systems and workflows.
• Participate in proposal reviews, including Pink Team, Red Team, Gold Team, and White Glove reviews.
• Incorporate reviewer comments and manage document revisions throughout the proposal lifecycle.
• Maintain proposal libraries, reusable content,resumes, past performance narratives, and corporate capability statements.
• Maintain confidentiality of proprietary, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), export-controlled, and competition-sensitive information.
• Continuously improveproposal creation and managementprocesses to meet evolvingteam needs,aerospace industry requirements,and customer expectations.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree inEnglish, Technical Communication, Journalism, Communications, Business, Engineering, or a related field.
• 5–7years of experience as aproposalwriter withat leastsome of thatexperience writingproposalsfor theaerospace,defense, ormanufacturingindustry.
• Demonstrated success writing winning competitive proposals.
• Strong understanding of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and competitive proposal processes.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability topresenttechnical informationpersuasivelytoa range of audiences.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities undertightdeadlines.
• Advancedproficiencywith Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience supporting proposals valued at $10 million or greater.
• Experience with schedulingprograms usingMS Project or other software platforms.
• Familiarity with Shipley proposal developmentmethodologyor similar proposal best practices.
• Experience with proposal collaboration platforms such as SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, or proposal automation tools.
• Knowledge of aerospace manufacturing, systems engineering, avionics, software development,logistics, cybersecurity, or sustainment programs.
• APMP Foundation, Practitioner, or Professional certification.
• Active U.S. security clearance or the ability to obtain one.

Level III: $85,000 - $123,000

Level IV: $123,000 - $150,000

Pay range for this role: $85,000 USD - $150,000 USD

What's in it for you:

• Comprehensive benefit package options include medical, dental, vision, life, and more.
• 401k with company-match
• 3 weeks of paid time off each year
• 40 hours of sick time
• 12 annual company holidays

Why Join Zone 5 Technologies?

• Innovative Environment: Work on cutting-edge technology that is shaping the future of defense and aerospace.
• Collaborative Culture: Join a team of passionate professionals dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
• Career Growth: Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

If you are passionate about unmanned aircraft technology and want to be a part of a dynamic and growing company, we would love to hear from you.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Zone 5 Technologies is a federal contractor and participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. As required by law, we will verify the identity and employment authorization of all new employees using the E-Verify system. Learn more about your rights and responsibilities under E-Verify:https://www.e-verify.gov.