Proposal and Pursuits Manager
About The Position
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 are recruiting a Proposal & Pursuit Manager to play a critical role in the growth of the company’s U.S. and international defense business by managing the full lifecycle of proposals—from opportunity identification through submission. This position ensures timely, compliant, and compelling responses to Requests for Information (RFIs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs), and other solicitations from U.S. and allied government customers. Working closely with the VP of Business Development, Director of International BD, Contracts, Engineering, and Finance teams, this individual will establish and maintain a disciplined, repeatable process for managing pursuits, coordinating technical and pricing inputs, and ensuring consistent messaging across all proposal materials.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Aerospace, Engineering, Communications, or related field.
- Minimum of 5+ years of experience in federal or defense proposal management (DoD, DHS, or aerospace/defense OEM preferred).
- Demonstrated experience leading proposals for FMS, DCS, or U.S. Government acquisitions (BAA, OTA, IDIQ, SBIR, or equivalent).
- Strong understanding of FAR/DFARS structure, proposal compliance, and bid evaluation criteria.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe Acrobat, and CRM/ERP tools.
- Excellent writing, editing, and organizational skills.
- Ability to manage multiple proposals simultaneously under tight deadlines.
- U.S. citizenship required due to access to export-controlled information.
Nice To Haves
- Project or Program Management Experience
- Prior experience in UAS, missile systems, or defense technology sectors.
- Familiarity with ITAR/EAR, DD254, and government data handling practices.
- Working knowledge of DoD acquisition processes, color-team reviews, and cost-volume development.
- Graphic or layout experience (Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, or PowerPoint advanced formatting).
Responsibilities
- Continuously monitor opportunity channels (e.g., SAM.gov, Grants.gov, DoD portals, and international equivalents) to identify relevant solicitations in UAS, Launched Effects, and counter-UAS domains.
- Track RFIs, RFPs, Sources Sought, and upcoming solicitations in a structured pipeline management tool (CRM)
- Support early capture activities by summarizing solicitations, identifying key requirements, and coordinating with capture leads.
- Manage Go/No-Go Reviews with data to support strategic vision on opportunities as they are aligned with the Company mission.
- Manage end-to-end proposal timelines, compliance matrices, and submission schedules to ensure all deliverables meet customer requirements and deadlines.
- Organize and facilitate proposal kick-off meetings, color team reviews (Pink, Red, Gold), and debrief sessions.
- Draft, edit, and integrate inputs from technical, financial, and management teams into compliant, persuasive proposal sections.
- Develop standardized templates, style guides, and reusable content libraries (resumes, past performance, management plans, technical sections, graphics).
- Ensure brand consistency and professional formatting across all submissions
- Review solicitations and amendments to identify mandatory clauses, submission instructions, and compliance requirements.
- Work with Contracts, Legal, and Export Compliance teams to ensure ITAR/EAR and data-handling compliance in all proposal materials.
- Maintain version control and document security for all sensitive proposal data.
- Coordinate with Business Development and Program Managers to integrate technical and pricing volumes.
- Liaise with Finance for cost/pricing data and with Engineering for technical solutions and performance metrics.
- Provide weekly pursuit status reports to the VP of BD, including progress toward submission goals, pipeline health, and upcoming deadlines.
- Track post-submission results, customer feedback, and lessons learned to improve future win rates.
- Support customer engagement throughout the lifecycle of a deal to include assisting with Customer Engagement scheduling in conference calls, events, site visits, and industry events.
Benefits
- Competitive total compensation package
- Comprehensive benefit package options include medical, dental, vision, life, and more.
- 401k with company-match
- 4 weeks of paid time off each year
- 12 annual company holidays
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
Number of Employees
51-100 employees
