Senior Research Development Officer

Texas A&M • College Station, TX

1d

About The Position

Research Development Services (RDS), a unit within Texas A&M University's Division of Research, supports research capacity and competitiveness across the university. The Senior Research Development Officer identifies and pursues federal contract opportunities aligned with university research strengths and strategic priorities. Serving as a liaison among faculty, university leadership, industry, and federal agencies, the officer leads compliant, competitive contract proposals from opportunity identification through submission and supports efforts to secure high-value federal research awards.

The role manages complex proposals, develops capture and proposal strategies, coordinates faculty and external partners, and translates technical and scientific capabilities into compelling federal contract deliverables. It also monitors federal contracting opportunities, supports investigator relationships with agencies, oversees compliance coordination, and develops resources and training to strengthen researchers’ proposal capabilities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Four years of experience developing or writing proposals to or for federal, state, or private agencies.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
• Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Organizational skills.
• Ability to make decisions independently.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with front-end business development and capture strategies, including win strategy, teaming, and opportunity shaping, as well as back-end proposal management, including compliance tracking, schedule enforcement, and narrative editing.
• Operational knowledge of FAR/DFARS procurement processes, Broad Agency Announcements, Other Transaction Authority, and SAM.gov solicitation structures.
• Ability to quickly understand scientific research in engineering, AI/cybersecurity, microelectronics, and applied sciences and translate it into federal contract deliverables such as SOW, BOE, and WBS.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and a demonstrated record of managing cross-functional teams of academic faculty, corporate partners, and executive university leadership under tight deadlines.
• APMP Foundation or Practitioner certification, or Shipley Capture/Proposal Management training.
• Five to seven years of direct experience in research development, business development, capture management, or proposal management within defense or civil federal contracting.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex, high-value contract proposals from opportunity identification through submission and facilitate handoffs to post-award administrative teams.
• Establish proposal schedules, compliance matrices, Work Breakdown Structures, and storyboarding sessions.
• Translate technical and scientific capabilities into compliant, compelling proposal sections.
• Organize and facilitate formal Red/Pink Team mock reviews.
• Coordinate with Export Control, Research Security, IT, and other stakeholders on FAR/DFARS, CUI, CMMC, and NSPM-33 compliance.
• Lead responses to agency requests for information, Best and Final Offers, and oral presentations.
• Monitor SAM.gov, agency roadmaps, and funding announcements such as BAAs to assess opportunities against university capabilities and strategic goals.
• Define and execute capture plans, including win themes, competitive analysis, risk mitigation strategies, and university differentiators.
• Assist Principal Investigators in cultivating relationships with agency Program Managers.
• Coach Principal Investigators on Quad Charts, White Papers, and Heilmeier Catechism pitches.
• Identify and facilitate NDAs and teaming arrangements with industry contractors, federal laboratories, and academic institutions.
• Lead Bid/No-Bid reviews with university leadership, evaluating opportunity alignment, cost-share requirements, and resource allocation.
• Develop proposal tools, templates, guidance documents, and standard application information.
• Monitor media sources for funding and program initiatives and circulate relevant announcements.
• Create and deliver informational sessions on contract funding opportunities and proposal development.
• Assist with training to improve investigators’ knowledge of federal contracts and publicize professional development opportunities.

Benefits

• Medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life and AD&D, flexible spending accounts, and long-term disability insurance; Texas A&M contributes to employee health and basic life premiums.
• 12–15 days of annual paid holidays.
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month.
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
• Free exercise programs and release time.
• Free LinkedIn Learning training and webinars, with limited financial support for conferences and workshops.
• Educational release time and tuition assistance for completing a degree while employed at Texas A&M.
• Access to the Living Well program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior