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Senior Proposal Manager / Writer

Washington DC

Senior Proposal Manager / Writer

Rackner | Remote | Full-Time

The Role

Rackner is hiring its first dedicated Proposal Manager to own and build our proposal function from the ground up.

You will lead end-to-end proposal execution—ensuring submissions are compliant, well-structured, and competitive—while bringing the structure and discipline needed to scale how we pursue federal work.

This is not a coordination role. You’ll run the process, contribute directly to writing, and work closely with executive and technical stakeholders to turn complex capabilities into clear, winning proposals.

Today, proposals are managed by leadership alongside other priorities. You will change that; creating a repeatable, high-quality proposal engine that supports growth across AI, cloud, cybersecurity, and DevSecOps programs.

You’ll work directly with executive leadership, capture, and engineering teams to shape how opportunities are structured, communicated, and submitted.

This role owns proposal execution and process development, with the opportunity to evolve into broader proposal or capture leadership as the function scales.

What You’ll Do

Own Proposal Execution

  • Lead the full proposal lifecycle from solicitation release through submission
  • Translate RFP requirements into clear structure, timelines, and deliverables
  • Drive alignment across capture, leadership, and technical teams under tight deadlines

Write and Shape Content

  • Own and contribute directly to proposal writing (technical, management, past performance)—not just editing or coordination
  • Translate complex technical concepts into clear, evaluator-friendly language
  • Ensure consistency in voice, structure, and messaging across sections

Ensure Compliance & Quality

  • Build compliance matrices and compliant outlines
  • Apply federal procurement requirements (FAR/DFARS, evaluation criteria) to ensure compliant responses
  • Run compliance checks and structured color team reviews (Pink, Red, Gold)

Build Proposal Infrastructure

  • Stand up and improve proposal processes, templates, and workflows
  • Create and maintain a reusable content library (past performance, resumes, boilerplate, graphics)
  • Improve how teams access, structure, and reuse proposal content

Drive Process & Continuous Improvement

  • Bring structure and clarity to complex, evolving requirements without slowing execution
  • Lead post-submission reviews to improve future proposals
  • Track proposal pipeline in partnership with capture leadership to anticipate workload and resourcing

What We’re Looking For

Must-Have

  • Experience leading federal proposals end-to-end with a track record of compliant, on-time submissions
  • Strong writing ability; able to turn technical input into clear, structured, and persuasive content
  • Working knowledge of federal procurement (FAR/DFARS, evaluation criteria, compliance) and how it applies to proposals
  • Experience managing multiple concurrent proposals under tight deadlines
  • Ability to work cross-functionally with executives, engineers, capture, and partners
  • Comfortable operating as an early proposal hire, building structure in an evolving environment

(Typically 5+ years in proposal management or related roles)

Nice-to-Have

  • Experience supporting proposals in AI/ML, cloud, cybersecurity, or DevSecOps environments
  • APMP certification (Foundation, Practitioner, or Professional)
  • Experience with proposal tools (GovWin, SharePoint, Google Workspace, etc.)
  • Background in small-to-mid-size GovCon environments
  • Ability to structure and communicate ideas visually (PowerPoint, diagrams, workflows)

Level Calibration

This is a Senior individual contributor role with full ownership of proposal execution.

You’re expected to:

  • Operate independently
  • Drive structure and process
  • Influence content and outcomes

This is not a junior coordinator role and not a people-management role (today), but it is a foundational role with growth potential as the function scales.

What Success Looks Like

  • Proposals are compliant, structured, and submitted ahead of deadlines
  • Technical ideas are clear, compelling, and easy for evaluators to understand
  • Teams are aligned and operating with structure—not reacting at the last minute
  • Proposal processes become repeatable and scalable over time

Why This Role Matters

This role directly impacts Rackner’s ability to win and scale federal work.

You’ll be working on proposals tied to AI, cloud, cybersecurity, and national security missions, where clarity, compliance, and execution quality determine outcomes.

You’re not just supporting proposals; you’re building the system that powers them.

Who We Are

Rackner is a software consultancy that builds cloud-native systems for startups, enterprises, and the public sector.

We focus on solving complex, real-world problems across:

  • Distributed systems
  • DevSecOps
  • AI/ML
  • Cloud-native architecture

Our work is outcome-driven and mission-aligned—we prioritize delivering real capability over producing documentation or code for its own sake.

You’ll be working closely with teams building high-impact technical solutions, translating that work into proposals that win.

Clearance Requirements

  • U.S. citizenship is required due to the nature of federal contracting work
  • Active security clearance is not required to start, but strongly preferred
  • Candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance
  • Willingness to work in a clearance-enabled or secure environment if required by program needs

Preferred:

  • Active Secret or TS/SCI clearance

Benefits

  • 401(k) with 100% match up to 6%
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage
  • Generous PTO and paid holidays
  • Weekly pay schedule
  • Home-office equipment plan and remote work support
  • Fitness and wellness reimbursement
  • Company-supported certifications
  • Clear advancement tracks and future leadership opportunities

Rackner invests in employee development and covers the cost of certifications aligned with your role and our technology focus.

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