E01-C07 Proposal Manager

EXPANSIA•Hollywood, MD

9d•Onsite

About The Position

Aether Aerospace, a Defense Technology platform formed by JHNA, CTSi, and EXPANSIA, is seeking a Proposal Manager to support the growth of its manufacturing, prototyping, and engineering design business. This role will lead proposal efforts focused on build-to-print manufacturing, custom fabrication, prototype development, and engineered product solutions, primarily for DoD and federal customers. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical foundation, understand engineering drawings, manufacturing processes, and material requirements, and be able to collaborate effectively with engineers, manufacturing leads, and program teams to create compliant, technically accurate, and competitive proposals. The company is backed by Falfurrias Management Partners and brings together expertise across various defense sectors.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and 5+ years of experience leading federal proposal efforts.
Experience supporting manufacturing, engineering, prototyping, or production-based contracts.
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, SOWs, PWSs, technical data packages, and specifications.
Experience with build-to-print and production-based proposals.
Understanding of AS9100 quality environments.
Strong proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat.
Strong technical comprehension of manufacturing processes (machining, fabrication, assembly, prototype builds).
Ability to translate engineering concepts into clear proposal narratives.
Exceptional organizational and time-management skills.
Confidence managing multiple concurrent manufacturing RFQs/RFPs under tight deadlines.
High attention to detail and compliance.
Ability to obtain Secret Clearance (Secret Clearance preferred).

Nice To Haves

Engineering degree strongly preferred (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, or Aerospace Engineering).

Responsibilities

Lead major proposal efforts through the full lifecycle of development, including proposal planning and schedule development.
Analyze RFPs/RFQs/RFIs and create compliance matrices.
Coordinate technical volumes with engineering and manufacturing SMEs.
Coordinate cost volumes with estimating and production teams.
Develop manufacturing approaches, staffing plans, and execution strategies.
Manage review teams (Pink, Red, Gold Team reviews).
Perform editing and compliance review in support of final submission.
Collaborate with engineering, quality, supply chain, and operations personnel to articulate manufacturing processes, prototype development plans, quality controls (AS9100), and production scalability strategies.
Organize and lead proposal kickoff and daily status meetings.
Issue technical data calls to engineering and manufacturing teams.
Coordinate graphics for process flows, manufacturing layouts, and technical illustrations.
Ensure alignment between technical approach and cost estimates.
Maintain proposal templates tailored to manufacturing and engineering pursuits.
Act as the primary point of contact for assigned proposal efforts.
Interact directly with senior leadership, engineers, and program managers.