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Federal Proposal Writer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Proposal Writer

Arlington, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Government, Department of Defense, or federal contracting pursuits * Familiarity with proposal ... Experience writing for defense, autonomy, robotics, software, mobility, or other advanced ...

Bachelors and 5+ years of experience supporting federal proposals, including technical and ... Exceptional writing, editing, and critical-thinking skills. * Ability to handle multiple sections ...

Are you a highly motivated writer who enjoys translating complex ideas into easily understandable ... in a federal or state proposal development environment * High level of proficiency in Microsoft ...

Proposal Writer

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$64K - $75K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Proposal Writer supports the full proposal development lifecycle by crafting clear, compliant ... federal, state or local laws and ordinances (referred to as "protected characteristics"

Proposal Writer

Huntsville, AL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... other federal agencies. KBR's areas of expertise include engineering, logistics, operations ... As a Proposal Writer at KBR, you will play a pivotal role in crafting compelling narratives that ...

Proposal Writer

Chantilly, VA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... other federal agencies. KBR's areas of expertise include engineering, logistics, operations ... As a Proposal Writer at KBR, you will play a pivotal role in crafting compelling narratives that ...

Proposal Writer

Columbia, MD

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... other federal agencies. KBR's areas of expertise include engineering, logistics, operations ... As a Proposal Writer at KBR, you will play a pivotal role in crafting compelling narratives that ...

Proposal Writer

Houston, TX · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... other federal agencies. KBR's areas of expertise include engineering, logistics, operations ... As a Proposal Writer at KBR, you will play a pivotal role in crafting compelling narratives that ...

Proposal Writer

Falls Church, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Agil3 Technology Solutions (A3T) is seeking a highly skilled and articulate Proposal Writer to lead the development of compelling, compliant, and persuasive content for federal government proposals.

... Federal proposals Strong writing and organizational skills Team player with ability to lead and motivate teams in a high pressure environment Advanced level of Microsoft Office suite, (Word and ...

Proposal Writer

Houston, TX · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... other federal agencies. KBR's areas of expertise include engineering, logistics, operations ... As a Proposal Writer at KBR, you will play a pivotal role in crafting compelling narratives that ...

Proposal Writer

Columbus, OH · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... other federal agencies. KBR's areas of expertise include engineering, logistics, operations ... As a Proposal Writer at KBR, you will play a pivotal role in crafting compelling narratives that ...

Proposal Writer

Norfolk, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... other federal agencies. KBR's areas of expertise include engineering, logistics, operations ... As a Proposal Writer at KBR, you will play a pivotal role in crafting compelling narratives that ...

Showing results 41-60

Federal Proposal Writer information

See salary details

$36K

$81.2K

$134K

How much do federal proposal writer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for federal proposal writer in the United States is $81,248.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $63,500.00 and $90,500.00 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 budgets 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, education, and the complexity of proposals. Senior writers or those with specialized skills in government contracting can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $100,000. Many also work on contract or freelance basis, which can affect overall income.

How to become a federal proposal writer?

To become a federal proposal writer, individuals typically need strong writing and research skills, a good understanding of government procurement processes, and experience with proposal development. Earning a relevant degree such as in business, communications, or a related field, along with familiarity with proposal management tools like Microsoft Office and federal acquisition regulations, can improve job prospects. Gaining experience through internships or entry-level positions in government contracting or proposal development is also beneficial.
More about Federal Proposal Writer jobs

What states have the most Federal Proposal Writer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Federal Proposal Writer jobs include:

Infographic showing various Federal Proposal Writer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $81,248 per year, or $39.1 per hour.

Proposal Writer (mid-senior level)

Peraton

Reston, VA

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago


Peraton rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 56 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

51st of 224 rated it services


Job description

Responsibilities

Join Peraton's Proposal Content Development team and contribute to producing high-quality, mission-critical federal proposals. We are expanding our team of disciplined, collaborative writers who thrive in fast-paced environments and take pride in delivering clear, compliant, evaluator-focused content. This role offers mid-level writers the opportunity to work closely with solution architects, SMEs, and proposal leaders to develop strong technical and management narratives that strengthen our competitive positioning. 

If you love the challenge of translating complex solutions into compelling, evaluator-focused narratives that drive competitive advantage, we want to hear from you.

Position Overview

The Proposal Writer plays a central role in developing compliant, compelling content across technical, management, staffing, resumes, and past performance volumes. This writer works under the guidance of volume leads and in collaboration with Subject Matter Experts and Lead Solution Architects to develop sections, refine content, and ensure alignment with win themes and proposal standards.

The Proposal Writer does not manage direct reports but contributes to content development best practices and maintains consistency across deliverables.

Key Responsibilities

  • Content Quality & Integration Develop clear, compliant, and evaluator-aligned proposal sections. Ensure assigned content meets RFP requirements and follows Peraton proposal standards. Identify gaps or issues within assigned sections and collaborate with SMEs and volume leads to resolve them. Support content integration across volumes by maintaining consistent messaging and terminology.
  • Content Development & Storytelling Write and edit proposal narratives primarily for technical and management sections. Translate SME-provided information into concise, customer-focused responses. Incorporate value propositions, discriminators, and metrics as directed by volume leads. Collaborate with graphics teams to ensure effective alignment between narrative and visuals.
  • Collaboration with SMEs, LSAs, and Capture Work with SMEs and solution architects to gather inputs and refine technical or management content. Participate in content planning sessions, interviews, and color team reviews as needed. Deliver high-quality drafts that reflect guidance from SMEs, proposal managers, and solution leads. Support alignment across multiple contributors to ensure consistent tone and messaging.
  • Content Standardization & Reuse Contribute to reusable content libraries, boilerplate, templates, and past performance summaries. Maintain version control and adhere to team writing standards and processes. Suggest improvements to content organization, clarity, and structure where appropriate.
  • Professional Collaboration & Growth Engage proactively with reviewers and incorporate feedback efficiently. Support surge efforts during high-volume proposal periods. Build skills in content planning and solution interpretation under guidance from senior team members.
  • Success Profile

    The ideal Proposal Writer is:

    • A strategic thinker with excellent writing discipline.
    • Skilled at balancing creativity with compliance.
    • Comfortable leading content development without formal people management.
    • Highly organized and able to guide cross-volume consistency.
    • Proactive, collaborative, and solutionoriented.
    Qualifications

    Minimum Qualifications

    • Bachelors and 5+ years of experience supporting federal proposals, including technical and management volumes (or equivalent professional writing experience). 4 years of additional experience will be considered in lieu of degree.
    • Deep understanding of the proposal development lifecycle
    • Strong ability to synthesize SME input into clear, compelling narrative.
    • Demonstrated understanding of federal RFP structures and compliance requirements.
    • Exceptional writing, editing, and critical-thinking skills.
    • Ability to handle multiple sections or volumes under tight deadlines.
    • Experience collaborating within a matrixed proposal environment.
    • Experience with AI writing tools and content automation.
    • Local to NoVA area and willing to work in office 4 days a week (and as needed) for proposal support.
    • Experience working with solution architects, SMEs, and capture teams.
    • Familiarity with Shipley or similar proposal methodologies.
    • US Citizenship
    • Ability to obtain a TS clearance

    Preferred Qualifications

    • TS/SCI clearance preferred.
    • Experience supporting large, complex proposals (>$100M+).
    • Ability to mentor other writers and provide constructive feedback.
    • Experience with content planning and storyboarding.
    • Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills; ability to work effectively with technical SMEs and senior leaders
    Peraton Overview

    Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.

    Target Salary Range$104,000 - $166,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual's experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.EEOEEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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    About Peraton

    Sourced by ZipRecruiter

    At Peraton, we re at the forefront of delivering the next big thing every day. We re the partner of choice to help solve some of the world s most daunting challenges, delivering bold, new solutions to keep people around the world safer and more secure.

    Industry

    It services

    Company size

    10,000+ Employees

    Headquarters location

    Herndon, VA, US

    Year founded

    2017