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Intermediate/Senior Proposal Writer

Amentum
Full-time
On-site
United States
✍️ Copywriting & Content Writing

πŸ“Œ Core Information

πŸ”Ή Job Title: Intermediate/Senior Proposal Writer

πŸ”Ή Company: Amentum

πŸ”Ή Location: Chantilly, Virginia, United States (Hybrid)

πŸ”Ή Job Type: Full-Time

πŸ”Ή Category: Writing & Editing

πŸ”Ή Date Posted: April 8, 2025

πŸ”Ή Experience Level: Intermediate/Senior

πŸ”Ή Remote Status: Hybrid (Telework & Office)

πŸš€ Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

  • Writing compliant, responsive, and compelling proposals for US Federal Government RFPs
  • Collaborating with proposal teams to articulate approaches, win themes, and discriminators
  • Analyzing RFPs to understand customer requirements and evaluation criteria
  • Interviewing subject matter experts to gather information and coordinate inputs
  • Serving as volume lead or book boss for proposal volumes, managing deadlines and risks

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong writing skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. Proposal Writers must be comfortable with RFP analysis, interviewing SMEs, and meeting tight deadlines.

πŸ“‹ Key Responsibilities

βœ… Writes compliant, responsive, and compelling proposals in response to federal RFPs

βœ… Serves as volume lead or book boss for proposal volumes, managing deadlines and risks

βœ… Analyzes RFPs to understand customer instructions and evaluation criteria

βœ… Interviews subject matter experts to gather information and coordinates inputs

βœ… Collaborates with proposal teams to articulate approaches, win themes, and discriminators

βœ… Tracks deadlines and plans work to meet all proposal schedule milestones

βœ… Reviews proposal drafts and provides recommendations to improve compliance, responsiveness, and scorability

βœ… Provides high-quality editing or overwriting support

βœ… Updates proposal library and collaborates with other writers to improve tools

βœ… Mentors junior writers and other proposal contributors

ASSUMPTION: The primary responsibility of this role is to write high-quality proposals that meet customer requirements and evaluation criteria. This involves a strong understanding of RFP analysis, interviewing SMEs, and collaborating with proposal teams.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Communications, or a related field

Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience as a dedicated Proposal Writer for US Government customers

Required Skills:

  • Proposal Writing (management/technical)
  • RFP Analysis
  • Technical Writing
  • Collaboration
  • Editing
  • Mentoring
  • Content Development
  • Deadline Management
  • Risk Identification
  • Subject Matter Expert Interviewing
  • Proposal Compliance

Preferred Skills:

  • Active Top Secret Security Clearance

ASSUMPTION: While a Bachelor's degree is required, relevant experience and a strong portfolio may be considered in lieu of formal education. Active security clearances are highly preferred for this role.

πŸ’° Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $80,000 - $120,000 per year (Based on experience level and industry standards for Proposal Writers in the DC metro area)

Benefits:

  • Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
  • Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick, and Holidays)
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Tuition Assistance

Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, with flexibility to meet proposal deadlines

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for Proposal Writers in the DC metro area. Actual compensation may vary based on experience and performance.

πŸ“Œ Applicant Insights

πŸ” Company Context

Industry: Defense and Space Manufacturing. Amentum is a global leader in advanced engineering and innovative technology solutions, trusted by the United States and its allies to address their most significant and complex challenges in science, security, and sustainability.

Company Size: 10,001+ employees. As a large organization, Amentum offers diverse opportunities for career growth and collaboration.

Founded: 2021 (as a spin-off from Northrop Grumman)

Company Description:

  • Headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, with offices worldwide
  • Provides advanced engineering, mission support, and IT services to government and commercial customers
  • Committed to safety, inclusion, and well-being as integral to success

Company Specialties:

  • Defense and Intelligence
  • Cyber and C4ISR
  • Space and Aviation
  • Mission Support and IT

Company Website: www.amentum.com

ASSUMPTION: Amentum's size and diverse offerings provide opportunities for career growth and exposure to various projects and industries.

πŸ“Š Role Analysis

Career Level: Intermediate to Senior. This role offers opportunities for growth and leadership within the proposal writing team.

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Intelligence & Cyber Business Group’s Director, Proposal Writing & Content Quality. Works collaboratively with proposal teams, subject matter experts, and other stakeholders.

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (Telework & Office). This role requires the ability and willingness to meet the proposal team in classified spaces in the DC metro area.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Mentoring junior writers and other proposal contributors
  • Leading large, complex narrative proposal responses (for Senior candidates)
  • Contributing to proposal win themes, strategy development, and graphic design ideas (for Senior candidates)
  • Participating in solution development sessions with proposal teams

ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career growth and leadership within the proposal writing team, with potential to take on more complex projects and mentoring responsibilities.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (Telework & Office). This role requires the ability and willingness to meet the proposal team in classified spaces in the DC metro area.

Office Location(s): 4800 Westfields Blvd, 400, Chantilly, Virginia 20151, US

Geographic Context:

  • Chantilly, Virginia, is located in the DC metro area, offering easy access to major transportation hubs and cultural attractions
  • The DC metro area is home to numerous defense and intelligence agencies, providing ample opportunities for career growth and networking
  • The region offers a diverse range of housing options, from urban apartments to suburban single-family homes

Work Schedule: Full-time, typically Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, with flexibility to meet proposal deadlines

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement allows for flexibility while ensuring collaboration and accessibility for classified meetings in the DC metro area.

πŸ’Ό Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

  • Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
  • In-person or virtual interview with the proposal writing team
  • Final interview with the Director, Proposal Writing & Content Quality

Key Assessment Areas:

  • Writing and editing skills
  • RFP analysis and understanding of customer requirements
  • Collaboration and teamwork
  • Ability to meet deadlines and manage risks

Application Tips:

  • Highlight relevant experience and skills in your resume, focusing on proposal writing, RFP analysis, and collaboration
  • Tailor your cover letter to demonstrate your understanding of the role and Amentum's mission
  • Prepare examples of your proposal writing and editing work to showcase during the interview

ATS Keywords: Proposal Writing, RFP Analysis, Technical Writing, Collaboration, Editing, Mentoring, Content Development, Deadline Management, Risk Identification, Subject Matter Expert Interviewing, Proposal Compliance

ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing your writing and editing skills, understanding of RFP analysis, and ability to collaborate effectively with proposal teams.

πŸ› οΈ Tools & Technologies

  • Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
  • Proposal management software (e.g., ProposalPoint, Proposal Manager)
  • Collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack)

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite and proposal management software is essential for this role. Collaboration tools will be used to communicate and coordinate with proposal teams.

πŸ‘” Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

  • Safety
  • Inclusion
  • Well-being
  • Integrity
  • Accountability
  • Collaboration
  • Innovation

Work Style:

  • Collaborative
  • Fast-paced
  • Results-driven
  • Adaptable

Self-Assessment Questions:

  • How do you ensure your writing is compliant, responsive, and compelling, even under tight deadlines?
  • Can you provide an example of a time when you identified and mitigated a risk in a proposal project?
  • How do you approach collaborating with diverse teams to articulate approaches, win themes, and discriminators?

ASSUMPTION: Amentum values a culture of safety, inclusion, and well-being, with an emphasis on collaboration and innovation. Proposal Writers should be adaptable, results-driven, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

  • Meeting tight proposal deadlines while maintaining high-quality standards
  • Managing risks and issues that arise during the proposal process
  • Collaborating effectively with diverse teams, including subject matter experts and other proposal contributors
  • Adapting to changes in proposal requirements or customer priorities

ASSUMPTION: The fast-paced nature of proposal writing, tight deadlines, and the need to manage risks and collaborate effectively can present challenges for Proposal Writers. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work well under pressure are essential for success in this role.

πŸ“ˆ Similar Roles Comparison

  • Unlike other writing roles, Proposal Writers focus specifically on responding to RFPs for government contracts, requiring a strong understanding of RFP analysis and customer requirements
  • Proposal Writers may have more exposure to classified information and security clearances than other writing roles
  • Career progression in proposal writing may involve taking on more complex projects, leading teams, or moving into management or business development roles

ASSUMPTION: While Proposal Writers share some similarities with other writing roles, such as technical or content writers, the focus on RFP analysis and government contracting sets this role apart. Career progression in proposal writing may involve taking on more complex projects or moving into management or business development roles.

πŸ“ Sample Projects

  • Responding to an RFP for a complex, multi-million dollar government contract, requiring collaboration with multiple subject matter experts and proposal contributors
  • Leading a proposal volume as book boss, managing deadlines, risks, and ensuring color review benchmarks are met
  • Editing and overwriting a narrative proposal section to improve compliance, responsiveness, and scorability

ASSUMPTION: Sample projects for Proposal Writers may involve responding to RFPs, leading proposal volumes, or editing and overwriting proposal sections. These projects require strong writing and editing skills, as well as the ability to collaborate effectively with proposal teams and manage risks.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

  • Can you describe a typical proposal project and the role of the Proposal Writer within that project?
  • How does the proposal writing team collaborate with subject matter experts and other proposal contributors?
  • What opportunities are there for career growth and development within the proposal writing team?
  • How does Amentum support work-life balance for its employees, particularly those in fast-paced roles like Proposal Writers?
  • Can you provide an example of a time when the proposal writing team had to adapt to changes in proposal requirements or customer priorities?

ASSUMPTION: Key questions to ask during the interview should focus on understanding the role's responsibilities, the team's dynamics, career growth opportunities, work-life balance, and the team's ability to adapt to changes. This will help you assess the fit of the role and the organization with your personal and professional goals.

πŸ“Œ Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

  • Submit your application through this link
  • Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience and skills, focusing on proposal writing, RFP analysis, and collaboration
  • Write a cover letter that demonstrates your understanding of the role and Amentum's mission
  • Prepare examples of your proposal writing and editing work to showcase during the interview
  • Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.