Proposal Development Specialist

Cannon Construction•Federal Way, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Cannon Construction is looking for a Proposal Development Specialist who can own the proposal process from RFP analysis through final submission. This is not a formatting role - it is a writing and project management role. The right person reads an RFP, breaks down the requirements, develops a compliance strategy, writes technical content, coordinates input from project managers and field leadership, and delivers a polished, competitive proposal on deadline. Cannon pursues large-scale telecommunications and civil infrastructure projects across the Pacific Northwest, including fiber backbone, fiber-to-the-home, horizontal directional drilling, and underground utility construction. Proposals range from $2M to $30M+ and require technical credibility, clear writing, and the ability to translate field construction experience into compelling narratives that differentiate Cannon from competitors. The ideal candidate combines strong technical writing ability with enough construction fluency to write credibly about HDD, cable plowing, fiber splicing, permitting, and traffic control without needing every detail dictated. You are organized enough to manage multiple concurrent deadlines and assertive enough to chase a project manager for input when the deadline is three days out and you're still waiting on reference contacts.

Requirements

3+ years of experience in proposal writing, technical writing, or business development support - construction, engineering, or infrastructure industry strongly preferred
Demonstrated technical writing ability - writing samples will be requested during the interview process
Experience reading, interpreting, and responding to RFPs, RFQs, and government or commercial solicitations
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Adobe Acrobat
Ability to manage multiple concurrent proposals with competing deadlines without sacrificing quality
Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
Strong interpersonal skills - this role requires pulling content from busy people who don't always prioritize proposal deadlines

Nice To Haves

Experience in telecommunications, utility, or civil infrastructure construction
Familiarity with construction terminology: OSP, HDD, FTTH, fiber splicing, conduit, ROW permitting, WSDOT, MUTCD, prevailing wage, Davis-Bacon
Experience with federally funded project proposals (NTIA, USDA, ARPA, Tribal Broadband)
Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Communications, English, Technical Writing, Construction Management, Business Administration, or related field
Experience with AI-assisted writing and content development tools
Experience with graphic design or layout tools (InDesign, Canva) for proposal formatting
APMP (Association of Proposal Management Professionals) certification or familiarity with proposal best practices

Responsibilities

Analyze RFPs, RFQs, and bid solicitations to identify all submission requirements; build compliance matrices to ensure nothing is missed
Write and develop technical proposal content including work plans, qualifications narratives, project descriptions, executive summaries, safety plans, and cover letters
Conduct internal interviews with project managers, field supervisors, and subject matter experts to extract project details and develop compelling reference descriptions
Adapt tone, format, and content strategy to match client expectations - a Tribal broadband RFP reads differently than a private telecom backbone bid
Develop clear, persuasive writing that conveys Cannon's capabilities without relying on generic corporate language
Maintain a current, ready-to-deploy library of resumes, project reference sheets, safety records, insurance certificates, bonding letters, org charts, and equipment inventories
Proactively update resumes and project sheets on a regular cycle - not scrambling the week before a deadline to update 7 of 10 team member resumes
Develop and maintain proposal templates aligned with Cannon's branding and established voice
Maintain an archive of past submissions organized for reuse and reference
Own the proposal calendar and drive the internal schedule - including holding project managers, executives, and field leaders accountable for content delivery dates
Coordinate with estimators on pricing sections, ensuring cost breakdowns align with technical narratives
Manage proposal production including formatting, proofreading, printing, electronic submission, and compliance with client-specified submission requirements
Track pursuit pipeline and provide status updates to leadership on active and upcoming proposal opportunities
Participate in go/no-go discussions with input on proposal feasibility, timeline, and resource requirements
Support post-submission activities including presentations, interviews, and debrief documentation
Identify win themes and competitive differentiators for each pursuit
Use AI-assisted content development tools (Claude, ChatGPT) to accelerate drafting, research, and iteration while maintaining quality and accuracy