Proposal Development Lead

Proposal Development Lead

Rockville, MD

Who We’re Looking For

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.

We are seeking an experienced Proposal Development Lead to lead and manage strategic proposal efforts that support Quantum Space’s growth across national security, civil, and commercial space markets. In this role, you will drive the full proposal lifecycle from solicitation release through final submission while ensuring proposals are compliant, compelling, competitive, and delivered on schedule.

You will serve as the central coordinator for proposal development activities, working closely with capture managers, business development leaders, engineers, program managers, contracts professionals, pricing teams, executives, and subject matter experts. This position is ideal for a highly organized proposal leader who combines deep federal proposal expertise with strong project management, communication, and cross-functional leadership skills.

You will help Quantum Space pursue some of the most important space and defense opportunities in the industry by building efficient proposal teams, establishing repeatable processes, maintaining compliance, and ensuring proposal content clearly communicates Quantum Space’s technical capabilities, mission solutions, and customer value.

Where You’ll Make an Impact

• Own and manage the end-to-end proposal process from RFP release through final submission
• Develop and maintain proposal schedules, milestones, compliance matrices, and production plans
• Lead proposal kickoff meetings, status reviews, daily coordination meetings, and submission readiness activities
• Coordinate inputs from technical, management, pricing, contracts, business development, and executive stakeholders
• Ensure proposal compliance with solicitation requirements, instructions, evaluation criteria, and customer expectations
• Collaborate with capture managers, business development leaders, and executive leadership to align proposal strategies, win themes, discriminators, and messaging
• Monitor proposal progress and proactively identify and mitigate risks to schedule, quality, compliance, and delivery
• Oversee proposal production, reviews, editing, formatting, graphics integration, and final submission activities
• Manage proposal resources, staffing requirements, and workload prioritization across multiple concurrent pursuits
• Support and facilitate color team reviews, executive reviews, compliance reviews, and final quality assurance reviews
• Develop proposal content strategies that communicate Quantum Space’s technical capabilities, mission solutions, and value proposition
• Maintain proposal development processes, tools, templates, content libraries, and best practices
• Serve as Proposal Manager when required to support critical pursuits and strategic growth initiatives
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that improve proposal quality, efficiency, and win probability

What It Takes

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Aerospace, Business Administration, Communications, English, or a related field
• 8+ years of experience managing federal government proposal efforts
• Demonstrated experience leading and coordinating large-scale proposals valued between $50 million and $500 million or greater
• Strong understanding of federal acquisition processes, proposal development methodologies, and competitive procurement environments
• Experience supporting Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, Civil Space, or related government customers
• Expertise in proposal planning, compliance management, content development, and proposal production
• Exceptional project management, organization, and schedule management skills
• Strong written, verbal, and executive-level communication abilities
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage competing priorities in fast-paced environments
• Strong editing, review, and quality assurance capabilities
• High attention to detail while maintaining focus on strategic objectives
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, deadline-driven proposal environment

Nice-to-Have Experience

• Experience supporting pursuits with U.S. Space Force, Space Systems Command (SSC), Space Development Agency (SDA), Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), NASA, National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), or the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD)
• Familiarity with spacecraft development, launch systems, satellite operations, space mission integration, space domain awareness, or related space programs
• APMP Foundation, Practitioner, or Professional Certification
• Experience supporting highly competitive aerospace, defense, intelligence, or advanced technology organizations
• Experience managing multiple concurrent proposal efforts and tight submission deadlines
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, collaboration platforms, proposal management tools, and document production systems
• Ability to effectively engage executives, engineers, program managers, and customer-facing personnel

What You’ll Get

Ownership – Lead strategic proposal efforts that directly influence Quantum Space’s growth across national security, civil, and commercial markets

Innovation – Help communicate advanced aerospace and defense solutions enabling next-generation space mobility and mission operations

Impact – Drive high-quality proposals that support critical missions for defense, intelligence, civil, and commercial customers

Growth – Join a collaborative team operating at the center of business development, capture, engineering, strategy, and mission execution

Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, FSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing

Additional Requirements

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Apply now. Join us in helping Quantum Space win the missions that matter most through disciplined proposal leadership, compelling submissions, and mission-focused execution.