Senior Proposals and Capture Manager

NightDragon Acquisition Corp.; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental and Vision Insurance

Time Off

Parental Leave

Competitive Salary

Retirement Plan

Stock Options

Life and Disability Insurance

Pet Insurance

Free lunch and snacks

Job summary

Saronic Technologies is seeking a Senior Proposal Manager to lead the full lifecycle for autonomous maritime programs, ensuring compliant, compelling submissions aligned with DoD acquisition frameworks and NAVSEA/Navy contexts.

You will coordinate engineering, mission operations, finance, contracts, and leadership to craft winning narratives, manage schedules, and drive cross-functional collaboration in fast-paced federal environments. Active TS/SCI clearance preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Professional Writing, or a related field.
• 3-5 years of proposal and/or capture management experience supporting DoD programs, with strong preference for direct NAVSEA or U.S. Navy proposal experience.
• Demonstrated experience directly managing people, including performance management and professional development.
• Ability to lead both direct reports and matrixed cross-functional contributors who do not report to you, holding SMEs and executives accountable to proposal schedules.
• Demonstrated experience across traditional and non-traditional acquisition pathways – FAR-based procurements, OTAs, and CSOs.
• Ability to handle multiple proposals simultaneously, balancing competing priorities to meet all deadlines.
• Proven experience integrating diverse input from cross-functional teams to craft coherent, high-quality proposals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex information to clients and internal stakeholders.
• Active TS/SCI clearance preferred

Responsibilities

• Proposal Development: Oversee the entire proposal process from initiation through submission, ensuring all aspects comply with requirements and align with client objectives.
• SME Collaboration and Integration: Coordinate with subject matter experts across engineering, finance, supply chain, and other functions to gather and synthesize input and guide team members to work cohesively on tight timelines.
• Project Management: Manage all phases of the proposal lifecycle, including schedules, deliverables, and deadlines.
• Strategic Proposal Planning: Develop strategies highlighting competitive advantages and refine content and structure based on bid requirements.
• Documentation and Compliance: Ensure all proposal documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant with RFX standards and regulations.

Skills

Proposal management

DoD procurement

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Job description

Saronic Technologies is a leader in revolutionizing autonomy at sea, dedicated to developing state-of-the-art solutions that enhance maritime operations through autonomous and intelligent platforms.

Job Overview:
We are seeking a skilled, detail-oriented Senior Proposal Manager with demonstrated experience supporting NAVSEA, Army, SOCOM, their broader customers, DIU, or similar DoD acquisition organizations. This hands-on role leads the full proposal lifecycle for autonomous maritime programs, ensuring our submissions are compliant, compelling, and strategically aligned with mission needs and acquisition frameworks.

As Senior Proposal Manager, you will unite cross-functional teams—engineering, mission operations, finance, contracts, and executive leadership—to deliver high-quality proposals that stand out in competitive federal environments. This role is ideal for a proactive professional who thrives in fast-paced, high-stakes proposal environments and understands the rigor and expectations of defense procurement. Join us as we help shape the future of maritime autonomy.

Responsibilities

• Proposal Development:
  Oversee the entire proposal process from initiation through submission, ensuring all aspects comply with requirements and align with client objectives. Develop winning narratives by integrating technical, operational, and financial information into a cohesive and persuasive proposal.

• SME Collaboration and Integration:
  Proactively coordinate with subject matter experts across engineering, finance, supply chain, and other critical functions, facilitating cross-departmental collaboration to gather and synthesize input. You will guide team members to work as an integrated unit on tight timelines. Collaborate with SMEs to refine high-level ideas and rough drafts into persuasive, high-quality proposal content.

• Project Management:
  Manage all phases of the proposal lifecycle, including schedules, deliverables, and deadlines. Anticipate and resolve issues promptly to maintain proposal quality and timeliness.

• Strategic Proposal Planning:
  Develop proposal strategies highlighting Saronic’s competitive advantages, analyzing bid requirements and competitor approaches to refine proposal content and structure.

• Documentation and Compliance:
  Ensure all proposal documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant with RFX standards and regulations. Maintain meticulous records throughout the proposal process.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Professional Writing, or a related field. Relevant certifications (e.g., APMP) are a plus.
• 3-5 years of proposal and/or capture management experience supporting DoD programs, with strong preference for direct NAVSEA or U.S. Navy proposal experience.
• Demonstrated experience directly managing people, including performance management and professional development.
• Demonstrated ability to lead both direct reports and matrixed cross-functional contributors who do not report to you, holding SMEs and executives accountable to proposal schedules.
• Demonstrated experience across both traditional and non-traditional acquisition pathways – including FAR-based procurements, OTAs, and CSOs.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple proposals simultaneously, balancing competing priorities to meet all deadlines.
• Proven experience integrating diverse input from cross-functional teams to craft coherent, high-quality proposals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex information to clients and internal stakeholders.
• Highly organized, with an acute eye for detail to ensure accuracy and quality across all proposal elements.
• Active TS/SCI clearance preferred

Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer

• Occasional standing and walking within the office

• Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other office equipment

• Visual acuity to read screens, documents, and reports

• Occasional reaching, bending, or stooping to access file drawers, cabinets, or office supplies

• Lifting and carrying items up to 20 pounds occasionally (e.g., office supplies, packages)

Benefits

Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans covering a range of services

Saronic pays 100% of the premium for employees and 80% for dependents

Dental and Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine dental check-ups, orthodontics, and vision care

Saronic pays 100% of the premium under the basic plan for employees and 80% for dependents

Time Off: Generous PTO and Holidays

Parental Leave: Paid maternity and paternity leave to support new parents

Competitive Salary: Industry-standard salaries with opportunities for performance-based bonuses

Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan with company match

Stock Options: Equity options to give employees a stake in the company’s success

Life and Disability Insurance: Basic life insurance and short- and-long-term disability coverage

Pet Insurance: Discounted pet insurance options including 24/7 Telehealth helpline

Additional Perks: Free lunch benefit and unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office

Saronic CCAA Notice for Candidates and California Employees

If this role is based in the United States, it requires access to export-controlled information or items that require “U.S. Person” status. As defined by U.S. law, individuals who are any one of the following are considered to be a “U.S. Person”: (1) U.S. citizens, (2) legal permanent residents (a.k.a. green card holders), and (3) certain protected classes of asylees and refugees, as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Saronic does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.