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Development Writer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Forterra

Proposal Writer

Arlington, VA · On-site

Write, edit, and refine proposal content for U.S. Government and defense opportunities ... Support development of a broad range of business development materials, including: * * RFI ...

BRMi

Technical Writer/Content Development

Vienna, VA · Hybrid

$96/hr

Overview BRMi is seeking a Technical Writer for content development to support a large financial enterprise client in eith Vienna, VA, Winchester, VA or Pensacola, FL. We are seeking a highly skilled ...

IESC

FCDO Technical Writer

Washington, DC

IESC is seeking technical writers with experience writing Foreign Commonwealth and Development (FCDO)/Department for International Development (DFID) bids. IESC is seeking to build a roster of ...

kgs

Technical Writer L1

Washington, DC · On-site

Documentation Development: * Write technical reports and manuals * Create operational procedures * Develop maintenance documentation * Prepare instruction books * Draft proposals and briefs * Update ...

kgs

Technical Writer L1

Washington, DC

Documentation Development: * Write technical reports and manuals * Create operational procedures * Develop maintenance documentation * Prepare instruction books * Draft proposals and briefs * Update ...

Koniag, Inc.

Technical Writer L1

Washington, DC · On-site

Documentation Development: * Write technical reports and manuals * Create operational procedures * Develop maintenance documentation * Prepare instruction books * Draft proposals and briefs * Update ...

National Guard Employment Network

Writer

Arlington, VA · On-site

The Writer position is responsible for developing creative and technical content, along with social ... LMD will not accept solicitations from recruiters, placement firms, or development firms seeking to ...

Strativia

Proposal Writer

Largo, MD · On-site

Strativia is seeking an experienced Proposal Writer to write federal proposals. The selected ... Work with business partners, subcontractors, and teammates' proposal and business development ...

Linchpin Solutions Inc

Technical Writer

Quantico, VA · On-site

If you are looking for an exciting career opportunity in the IT, engineering, software development ... The Technical Writer supports the MOCTT Documentation Support Services mission at the Marine Corps ...

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All JobsDevelopment Writer JobsDevelopment Writer Jobs in Washington, DC

Development Writer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$53.2K

$76.6K

$100.2K

How much do development writer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for development writer in Washington, DC is $76,552.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $62,300.00 and $88,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Development Writer typically collaborate with fundraising and program teams?

Development Writers work closely with fundraising teams to craft compelling grant proposals, donor communications, and case statements that align with organizational goals. They often meet with program staff to gather impact stories, data, and updates, ensuring that all written materials accurately reflect the organization's work and needs. This collaboration helps create persuasive content that resonates with funders and stakeholders, and also keeps messaging consistent across departments. Regular communication and feedback loops are key to producing effective fundraising materials.

What are Development Writers?

Development Writers are professionals who create persuasive written materials to support fundraising efforts for nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and other entities. They craft grant proposals, donor communications, case statements, and other documents that help secure funding from individuals, foundations, and corporations. Development Writers work closely with fundraising teams and subject matter experts to clearly communicate an organization's mission, programs, and funding needs. Their writing is tailored to inspire potential donors and build lasting relationships. This role requires strong writing, research, and storytelling skills.

What Does a Development Writer Do?

A development writer is a liaison between a non-profit organization or foundation and the general public, including potential donors. In this career, your duties are to research prospects and draft written materials to help stakeholders understand the mission and goals of a non-profit. You also write and edit speeches to be delivered to the public. Your responsibilities also include overseeing advertising and promotions to make sure they align with the company’s policies and brand. As a development writer, you also participate in fundraising events by crafting informative communication to both increase the reach of the organization's efforts and solicit increased donations from donors.

What is the difference between Development Writer vs Content Writer?

AspectDevelopment WriterContent Writer
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in English, Communications, or related fieldsOften requires similar credentials, but may accept diverse backgrounds
Work EnvironmentWorks in corporate, nonprofit, or grant-funded settings, focusing on proposals and reportsWorks across digital platforms, blogs, social media, and marketing content
Industry UsageCommon in nonprofits, government agencies, and educational institutionsPrevalent in marketing, media, and advertising industries
Search & Comparison IntentOften compared for writing scope and purposeCompared for style and audience engagement

Development Writers focus on creating proposals, grants, and reports to support organizational goals, often working in formal settings. Content Writers produce engaging digital content aimed at marketing and audience interaction. While both roles require strong writing skills and similar credentials, their work environments and objectives differ significantly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Development Writer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Development Writer, you need strong writing, research, and storytelling skills, often supported by a background in communications, journalism, or English. Familiarity with donor management systems, fundraising platforms, and proficiency in Microsoft Office or Google Workspace is typically required. Excellent interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and the ability to tailor messages for diverse audiences help set outstanding candidates apart. These capabilities are crucial for crafting compelling fundraising materials that engage donors and support organizational growth.
More about Development Writer jobs
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What job categories do people searching Development Writer jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Development Writer jobs in Washington, DC are:
Development Writer jobs near you
Proposal Writer

Proposal Writer

Forterra

Arlington, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

About Forterra
Forterra is a leading provider of autonomous systems for ground-based movement in the working world. Amongst some of the earliest innovators in the field of driverless technology, Forterra is focused on building systems that protect front-line soldiers and enable civilian workers in our industrial base. Forterra is the go-to provider of ground autonomy solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense, which harnesses the technology for asymmetric warfare in critical conditions.
About the Role
Forterra is seeking a skilled and versatile Proposal Writer to support the company's growth efforts across a range of business development activities. This role will be responsible not only for developing compelling, compliant proposal content, but also for supporting the creation of other strategic customer-facing materials, including RFI responses, solution briefs, white papers, capability statements, executive summaries, and related business development content.
This is an ideal role for a strong writer who understands how to translate complex technical, operational, and strategic concepts into clear, persuasive content tailored to government and defense customers. The right candidate is highly organized, collaborative, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with cross-functional stakeholders.
The Proposal Writer will partner closely with capture, growth, technical, program, and leadership teams to develop high-quality written products that strengthen Forterra's competitive positioning and support successful pursuit outcomes.
What You'll Do
  • Write, edit, and refine proposal content for U.S. Government and defense opportunities
  • Support development of a broad range of business development materials, including:
    • RFI responses
    • Sources Sought responses
    • Solution briefs
    • White papers
    • Capability statements
    • Executive summaries
    • Customer-facing briefing materials
    • Other strategic pursuit and growth content
  • Translate technical, operational, and programmatic inputs into clear, compelling, and customer-focused written responses
  • Work with capture and growth teams to develop win themes, discriminators, and messaging that align with customer priorities
  • Interview subject matter experts and cross-functional contributors to gather content and convert it into polished written products
  • Ensure written materials are accurate, consistent, compliant, and aligned with solicitation or customer requirements
  • Support proposal content development through storyboarding, outlining, drafting, editing, and incorporating review feedback
  • Help tailor messaging and content to specific customers, missions, and opportunity strategies
  • Maintain and improve reusable content libraries, templates, and writing standards
  • Contribute to continuous improvement of proposal and business development writing processes, tools, and best practices

What We're Looking For
  • A detail-oriented and process-driven professional with a passion for complex problem-solving in high-stakes environments.
  • Someone who thrives in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments and enjoys collaborating with both technical and business teams.
  • A strong communicator who can distill complex technical input into clear, persuasive, and compliant proposal responses.
  • A proactive contributor who anticipates needs, takes ownership of deliverables, and consistently meets deadlines.

What You'll Need
  • Relevant experience in proposal writing, proposal development, business development writing, technical writing, or federal/defense communications
  • Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to turn complex inputs into clear and persuasive content
  • Experience supporting U.S. Government, Department of Defense, or federal contracting pursuits
  • Familiarity with proposal development and business development materials such as RFIs, sources sought, white papers, and solution briefs
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple assignments under deadline
  • Ability to work effectively with technical, business, and executive stakeholders
  • Strong verbal communication skills, including the ability to interview contributors and synthesize disparate inputs
  • Ability to balance compliance, clarity, and persuasiveness in written responses
  • High degree of ownership, responsiveness, and problem-solving ability

What We Love to See
  • Experience writing for defense, autonomy, robotics, software, mobility, or other advanced technology markets
  • Previous experience with or a deep understanding of USG contracting and procurement processes.
  • Familiarity with federal acquisition and proposal processes
  • Experience supporting both pre-RFP and live proposal efforts
  • Experience editing contributions from multiple authors into a unified voice
  • Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Journalism, Business, Political Science, Marketing, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience

The salary range for this role is an estimate and is based on a wide variety of compensation factors. The salary offered to candidates will vary based on a variety of factors including (but not limited to) relevant work experience, education, specialized training, critical expertise, training, and more. Equity in Forterra is included in most of our full-time, high-demand roles and is therefore considered part of Forterra's overall compensation package. In addition to base salary and equity, Forterra offers competitive benefits for full-time employees including:
  • Premium Healthcare Benefits: Three plan options, including an HSA-eligible plan, with Forterra covering 80% of the plan premium for you and your dependents.
  • Basic Life/AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance plans 100% covered by Forterra, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
  • Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a winter break in December.
  • Competitive paid time off (PTO) offering 20 days accrued per year.
  • A minimum of 7 weeks fully paid parental leave for birth/adoption.
  • A $9k annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.
  • Fully stocked beverage refrigerators with all the Celsius your little heart desires.
  • 401(k) retirement savings plan, including traditional, Roth 401(k), and after-tax deferral with company match up to 4%.

Your recruiter will be able to share more information about our salary and benefits offering during the hiring process.
Forterra is an equal-opportunity employer, providing and promoting equal employment opportunity in accordance with local, state, and federal laws. Forterrans are unique, talented individuals who are united through a shared passion to deliver autonomous systems that enable national resilience and a robust supply chain. All qualified applications will receive equal consideration for employment.

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