Associate Proposal Manager (RF & Digital Systems)

About the role

Trident Systems Space Electronic Systems (SES) division believes in the power of using strong engineering principles to drive innovation and solve complex problems. We foster a culture of rigorous engineering and continuous improvement, leveraging the full knowledge of our organization through collaborative product development processes that include design and peer reviews. We combine our expertise in space electronics with right-sized development processes to create innovative, high-performance space-based electronic systems that meet our customers' evolving needs. We are a mission partner supporting DoD, Intelligence Community, and Civil space customers, developing complex, radiation effects mitigated designs that balance competing requirements in modern space programs.

The Associate Proposal Manager acts as the central hub of the business development lifecycle. You won't just track deadlines; you will own the proposal machine, transforming complex technical concepts into structured, winning narratives. You will bridge the gap between engineering, finance, program management, and executive leadership to ensure every response we submit is positioned to win. This is a high growth environment; the right person for this role will be calm under pressure, receptive to feedback, and comfortable driving to firm deadlines. This is a remote position, but we would prefer a candidate who can work a hybrid schedule from our Fairfax, Virginia office. Position reports to the Director of Proposals; does not supervise others.

Responsibilities

• Supports the pursuit of new business opportunities from RFP receipt through final delivery, while improving team responsiveness and the quality of our submissions.
• Proposal Lifecycle Management: Lead the end-to-end proposal process, from initial RFP analysis and kickoff through final production and delivery.
• Cross-Functional Orchestration: Coordinate inputs from Business Development, Program Management, Engineering, Pricing/Finance, and Contracts to ensure a unified voice and a cohesive value proposition. Ensure contributors understand requirements, deadlines, and review feedback.
• Compliance & Quality Control: Rigorously review requirements to ensure 100% compliance with customer instructions while maintaining high standards of editorial quality.
• Schedule & Resource Governance: Build realistic yet aggressive proposal schedules and internal milestones. Track progress against plan; proactively identify gaps and drive closure of action items.
• Win-Rate Optimization: Apply best practices in proposal writing and design to increase our competitive edge in the global space electronics market. Capture lessons learned after each major bid and help refine templates, checklists, and workflows. Recommend continuous improvements to how we plan, write, review, and submit proposals.
• Requirement Parsing: Ingest, index, and parse incoming RFPs/RFQs into internal proposal systems.
• System Management: Maintain opportunity and proposal data in CRM, JIRA, and SharePoint environments.
• Technical Facilitation: Facilitate the development of Basis of Estimates (BOEs) and requirements matrixes as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience / combined education and 6+ years in proposal management, proposal coordination, technical sales, or business development supporting complex hardware products.
• Technical Skills:
  • Familiarity with federal procurement processes
  • Ability to interpret technical content at a conceptual level and translate it into clear, customer focused language
  • Proficiency in MS Word, SharePoint, Jira, and CRM systems
  • Knowledge of commercial and government contracting requirements
  • Strong planning and organizational skills; able to manage multiple concurrent deadlines
• Core Competencies:
  • Ability to articulate technical visions with strategic rationale
  • Strong persuasive communication and negotiation skills
  • Proven track record in developing successful quotes and proposals for complex products

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with prime contractor customers in aerospace, defense is preferred; direct space industry experience is especially valued.

Pay

Full-Time Salary Range: $89,000 - $172,000. Actual compensation offered will be determined based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, education, certifications, internal equity, business considerations, and geographic location where applicable.

Benefits

• Health benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision
• Basic life with AD&D
• Short term disability
• Long term disability
• Ancillary (Voluntary life with AD&D, accident, critical illness, hospital, and pet)
• Spending accounts (HSA, FSA, and DCFSA)
• Paid time off
• Holidays
• 401(k) (including company match)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Leaves (Parental, maternity, and military)
• Annual discretionary bonus (for eligible roles)