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Federal Proposal Writer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Saic

Proposal Writer Principal

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$120 - $160/hr

You will provide full lifecycle, Federal proposal support, from content planning, template development, and writing and editing key sections (resumes, past performance, and narrative volumes ...

Saic

Proposal Writer Principal

Reston, VA · On-site

$120 - $160/hr

You will provide full lifecycle, Federal proposal support, from content planning, template development, and writing and editing key sections (resumes, past performance, and narrative volumes ...

SAIC

Proposal Writer Principal

Chantilly, VA · On-site +1

$120K - $160K/yr

You will provide full lifecycle, Federal proposal support, from content planning, template development, and writing and editing key sections (resumes, past performance, and narrative volumes ...

SAIC

Proposal Writer Principal

Reston, VA · On-site +1

$120K - $160K/yr

You will provide full lifecycle, Federal proposal support, from content planning, template development, and writing and editing key sections (resumes, past performance, and narrative volumes ...

SAIC

Proposal Writer Principal

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

You will provide full lifecycle, Federal proposal support, from content planning, template development, and writing and editing key sections (resumes, past performance, and narrative volumes ...

NetVision Resources, Inc.

Proposal Writer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

Job Summary We are looking for a detail-oriented and experienced Proposal Writer to manage and ... Experience with US Federal proposals (RFPs, RFIs, RFQs, compliance matrices) * Exposure to proposal ...

Brillient

Senior Proposal Writer

Reston, VA · On-site

... federal procurements. This is a hands-on, high-impact role for a practitioner who thrives in ... Job Duties: Proposal Leadership & Writing * Lead end-to-end development of proposal volumes ...

ASRC Federal Holding

Senior Proposal Writer

Reston, VA · On-site

$94K - $118K/yr

ASRC Federal is a leading government contractor furthering missions in space, public health and ... The Senior Proposal Writer provides strategic writing expertise to competitive Federal proposals ...

AET FEDERAL INC

Proposal Writer

Tysons, VA · On-site

$55K - $70K/yr

The Project Coordinator provides proposal writing from start to finish of its development and coordination support for federal and commercial solicitations, including RFPs, RFQs, RFIs, and similar ...

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Federal Proposal Writer information

See Washington salary details

$40.8K

$92K

$151.8K

How much do federal proposal writer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for federal proposal writer in Washington is $92,022.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,900.00 and $102,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a federal proposal writer?

Federal proposal writers are professionals responsible for creating, organizing, and submitting proposals in response to government solicitations, such as Requests for Proposals (RFPs). They work with subject matter experts, project managers, and compliance teams to ensure that all requirements are met and the proposal stands out among competitors. Their tasks often include researching federal regulations, developing compliant content, and managing tight deadlines. The goal of a federal proposal writer is to secure contracts for their organization by presenting compelling and compliant responses to government opportunities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a federal proposal writer?

To thrive as a Federal Proposal Writer, you need strong writing, research, and project management abilities, typically supported by a bachelor’s degree in English, communications, or a related field. Familiarity with federal acquisition regulations (FAR), proposal management tools like Shipley or APMP methodologies, and document management systems is highly beneficial. Outstanding attention to detail, teamwork, and the ability to work under tight deadlines are critical soft skills. These skills are essential for producing compliant, persuasive proposals that increase the chances of securing government contracts.

What are some common challenges federal proposal writers face during the proposal development process?

Federal Proposal Writers often encounter tight deadlines, complex compliance requirements, and the need to coordinate input from multiple subject matter experts. Managing updates to evolving solicitation documents and ensuring every section aligns with both client needs and federal regulations can be demanding. Strong organizational and communication skills are critical, as is adaptability to shifting priorities and last-minute changes. Collaboration with business development, technical teams, and leadership is essential to produce a compliant, compelling proposal.

What is the difference between Federal Proposal Writer vs Contract Specialist?

AspectFederal Proposal WriterContract Specialist
Primary RolePrepares and writes proposals to secure federal contractsManages and negotiates federal contracts post-award
Required SkillsProposal writing, compliance, researchContract management, negotiation, legal understanding
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, consulting firms, contractorsGovernment agencies, contracting offices
CertificationsNone mandatory, often familiarity with FARFPPC, FAR certifications often preferred

While both roles work within the federal contracting space, a Federal Proposal Writer focuses on creating compelling proposals to win contracts, whereas a Contract Specialist manages existing contracts and ensures compliance. Both roles require knowledge of federal regulations, but their responsibilities differ significantly in the contract lifecycle.

Are federal proposal writers in demand?

Federal proposal writers are in steady demand due to the ongoing need for government contracts and funding opportunities. They often require strong writing skills, knowledge of federal procurement processes, and familiarity with proposal management tools. Job opportunities can vary based on government spending and contracting cycles.

How much do federal proposal writers make?

Federal proposal writers typically earn between $60,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of proposals. Senior writers or those with specialized skills can earn higher salaries, especially when working for government contractors or in high-demand sectors.

How to become a federal proposal writer?

To become a federal proposal writer, individuals typically need strong writing, research, and project management skills, along with knowledge of government procurement processes. Gaining experience through related roles, obtaining certifications such as the Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM), and understanding federal regulations can improve job prospects. Familiarity with proposal management tools like SharePoint or Deltek is also beneficial.

What are popular job titles related to Federal Proposal Writer jobs in Washington?

For Federal Proposal Writer jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Federal Proposal Writer jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Federal Proposal Writer jobs in Washington are:

Federal Proposal Writer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Federal Proposal Writer job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,022 per year, or $44.2 per hour.

Federal Pipeline Manager & Proposal Writer (Remote)

Praescient Analytics

Fairfax, VA • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

About Praescient Analytics
Praescient Analytics, LLC is a Woman-Owned Small Business delivering advanced analytics, data engineering, artificial intelligence and machine learning, software development, cloud and DevSecOps, cybersecurity, systems integration, and mission-support solutions to federal customers. We combine technical depth, disciplined delivery, and mission understanding to help government organizations turn complex information into actionable outcomes.
Position Overview
Praescient Analytics is seeking a Federal Pipeline Manager & Proposal Writer to own the opportunity-discovery and pipeline-readiness functions of the company's federal growth lifecycle while serving as Praescient's second experienced proposal writer and editor. This person will continuously source, research, organize, and document relevant opportunities; maintain accurate pipeline, contract-vehicle information and internal BD Library; coordinate teaming documentation; and equip Praescient's executives and business-development leads to make timely pursuit decisions.
This is not a customer-facing capture, sales, or post-award contracts-administration position. Praescient's extended business development team will retain responsibility for customer engagement, PWIN assessment, capture strategy, partner selection, and teaming decisions. The successful candidate must build the opportunity pipeline and possess strong federal proposal-writing and editing capability to recognize alignment, anticipate response requirements, independently lead smaller responses, draft substantial proposal content, and conduct independent reviews of major submissions.
*This role can be performed remotely, provided you reside in the United States.*
Primary Responsibilities
  • Continuously identify relevant federal opportunities through GSA eBuy, SeaPort NxG, DHS Acquisition Planning Forecast System (APFS), SAM.gov, agency acquisition forecasts, OASIS+, SEWP VI, other GWAC and IDIQ portals, industry notices, and approved market-intelligence platforms.
  • Screen sourced opportunities for basic alignment with Praescient's capabilities, past performance, contract vehicles, NAICS codes, socioeconomic status, estimated timing, place of performance, clearance or staffing considerations, acquisition strategy, and prime or subcontract possibilities.
  • Prepare concise opportunity research briefs covering the government customer, mission need, scope, estimated value, timing, incumbent when available, contract vehicle, acquisition type, source links, relevant Praescient capabilities and past performance, known deadlines, information gaps, and recommended next research actions.
  • Maintain complete and current CRM/pipeline records, milestones, stage definitions, source documents, contacts, actions, decisions, and deadlines; identify stalled or unsupported pursuits for leadership review.
  • Provide extended business development team and portfolio account managers with organized source documentation and factual research needed for them to evaluate PWIN, select pursuits, identify primes or teammates, and determine capture actions.
  • Track draft solicitations, RFIs, industry days, one-on-ones, reading rooms, questions and answers, amendments, forecast changes, final releases, and proposal deadlines.
  • Manage the opportunity and task-order pipeline for Praescient's prime contract vehicles and key subcontract vehicles, including OASIS+, SEWP VI, and other IDIQ/GWAC channels.
  • Coordinate vehicle onboarding, portal access, required profiles, catalogs or capability records, recurring reports, certification updates, points of contact, and other administrative compliance deliverables.
  • Prepare, route, track, and maintain approved-template NDAs, teaming agreements, subcontractor questionnaires, representations, certifications, data calls, and related pre-award documentation; escalate nonstandard terms and negotiations to authorized leadership, contracts counsel, or designated contracts personnel.
  • Facilitate opportunity handoffs to the Federal Proposal Manager & Lead Writer with complete source documents, research, leadership decisions, teaming status, deadlines, response requirements, and outstanding actions.
  • Independently manage and write smaller RFIs, sources-sought responses, capability statements, white papers, and quick-turn task-order proposals when assigned.
  • During proposal surges, serve as alternate proposal manager or volume lead; develop compliance matrices and outlines; write technical, management, staffing, past-performance, resume, and corporate-experience content; and coordinate contributor inputs.
  • Provide substantive editorial support for proposals led by the Federal Proposal Manager & Lead Writer, including compliance, structure, evaluator focus, evidence, consistency, clarity, grammar, and final-copy review.
  • Perform the independent compliance and content review and the subsequent final editorial and production review assigned under Praescient's two-review protocol; document findings and verify closure before submission.
  • Use approved generative-AI tools to accelerate market research, opportunity summaries, requirements extraction, compliance analysis, outlining, drafting, editing, and gap identification while validating outputs against authoritative sources.
  • Maintain reusable pipeline, teaming, vehicle, and proposal records in approved systems and contribute to process improvement and lessons learned.

Required Qualifications
  • At least four (4) years of federal government contracting experience spanning opportunity research, pipeline or business-development operations, and hands-on proposal writing and editing.
  • Current Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP) certification at the Foundation level or higher.
  • Demonstrated experience sourcing, researching, documenting, and tracking federal opportunities through online procurement systems and the pipeline-to-proposal lifecycle.
  • Demonstrated ability to independently write and edit federal RFIs, sources-sought responses, task-order proposals, capability statements, and proposal sections or volumes.
  • Working knowledge of federal acquisition practices, common solicitation structures, evaluation criteria, IDIQs, GWACs, task orders, and prime/subcontract teaming models.
  • Experience maintaining a disciplined opportunity pipeline or CRM and producing concise research and qualification products for leadership decisions.
  • Experience coordinating NDAs, teaming agreements, partner data calls, representations and certifications, or comparable pre-award documentation using approved templates and escalation procedures.
  • Ability to distinguish administrative agreement routing from contractual or legal judgment and to escalate nonstandard terms appropriately.
  • Strong substantive editing skills and ability to review proposal content for compliance, evaluator focus, factual support, consistency, and readability.
  • Advanced, hands-on experience using ChatGPT or comparable enterprise generative-AI tools for opportunity research, requirements extraction, compliance mapping, annotated outlines, drafting, rewriting, gap analysis, editing, and quality control, with demonstrated methods for source grounding and output validation.
  • Strong Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, OneDrive, and SharePoint skills; experience with federal opportunity and vehicle portals.
  • U.S. citizenship required due to federal customer and information-access requirements.
  • Ability to successfully complete company-required employment verification and background screening.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with DoD, Intelligence Community, DHS, DOJ, MDA, or other national-security and civilian-agency markets.
  • Experience administering OASIS+, SEWP, GSA, or comparable IDIQ/GWAC opportunity and reporting processes.
  • Experience supporting a small or mid-sized federal contractor where individuals perform across capture, proposals, vehicles, and teaming operations.
  • Familiarity with FAR/DFARS concepts, small-business set-asides, limitations on subcontracting, organizational conflicts of interest, and pre-award compliance considerations.
  • Bachelor's degree in business, communications, public policy, information technology, contracts, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience will be considered.
  • NCMA, Shipley, PMP, or other relevant pipeline, proposal, contracts, or project-management training.

What Success Looks Like
  • Leadership receives relevant, well-documented opportunities with enough factual information to make timely bid, no-bid, prime, subcontract, and teaming decisions.
  • Pipeline, contract-vehicle, teaming, and deadline information is complete, current, and actionable.
  • Opportunities transition into proposal development without missing documents, unresolved ownership, or preventable schedule loss.
  • During surge periods, the employee independently leads smaller responses, writes substantial proposal content, and materially improves major submissions through two-stage independent editorial review.
  • Administrative documents are routed quickly while nonstandard contractual issues are escalated to the appropriate authority.

What You Can Expect From Us:
  • Real opportunity for career growth in an environment where your achievements will be celebrated
  • Constant collaboration with numerous teams to ensure client success
  • A team that respects and embraces your ideas and expertise
  • Coworkers that are motivated by pursuing excellence, rather than the prospect of personal gain
  • A workplace dedicated to supporting and bettering public safety and government agencies

Benefits:
  • Very competitive salary based on qualifications and experience
  • Comprehensive, Company paid United Health Care Medical for you and your family (We pay your premiums and deductibles)
  • 401(k) with company matching
  • Travel & performance incentives
  • 3 weeks paid time off (plus Federal Holidays)
  • $5K annual training allowance
  • $500 book allowance
  • Tuition reimbursement program

Praescient Analytics is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, experience, performance, business needs, and applicable contract requirements. Praescient does not unlawfully discriminate or provide disparate treatment based on race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.
Praescient Analytics acknowledges the applicable clause and provision updates implementing Executive Order 14398, Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors, and the related FAR/RFO updates, including FAR 52.222-90 where applicable. Praescient does not engage in racially discriminatory DEI activities, including disparate treatment based on race or ethnicity in recruitment, hiring, promotion, contracting, program participation, training, mentoring, leadership development, or allocation of company resources. Praescient's employment and contracting decisions are made based on merit, qualifications, experience, performance, business needs, and applicable contract requirements.

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