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Professional Writing Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Maintain version control and adhere to team writing standards and processes. Suggest improvements to content organization, clarity, and structure where appropriate. * Professional Collaboration ...

Maintain version control and adhere to team writing standards and processes. Suggest improvements to content organization, clarity, and structure where appropriate. * Professional Collaboration ...

$27.30 - $37.58/hr

... and professional writing. The AI participates in community and institutional service activities which contribute to the mission of RHS and RCHC. Essential functions are fundamental job duties ...

$72K - $99K/yr

... and professional writing. The instructor participates in community and institutional service activities which contribute to the mission of RHS and RCHC. The instructor performs other duties as ...

$72K - $99K/yr

... and professional writing. The instructor participates in community and institutional service activities which contribute to the mission of RHS and RCHC. The instructor performs other duties as ...

Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English with a focus on technical and professional writing * Obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance * Ability to obtain and maintain ...

Showing results 41-60

Professional Writing information

See Virginia salary details

$5

$30

$74

How much do professional writing jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for professional writing in Virginia is $30.70, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.33 and $36.92 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are professional writing jobs?

Professional writing jobs include roles in creative writing, journalism, and as a novel or book author. As a professional writer, you can work with one company or as a freelancer, and your duties and responsibilities vary. You may write creative copy for an advertising firm or produce technical documents for a business. If you work in broadcasting or journalism, you may write and research a news story or create copy for on-air talent. You can also ghost-write books for companies. In general, you provide relevant and engaging content to publish in physical or digital formats. Research is an essential part of most writing jobs.

What is professional writing?

Professional writing refers to the creation of clear, effective, and purposeful written communication used in the workplace or for business purposes. This can include reports, proposals, emails, manuals, press releases, and other documents intended for a specific audience. Professional writers focus on clarity, conciseness, and correct formatting to ensure the message is understood and achieves its intended goal. It's an essential skill in many industries, including business, government, education, and media.

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

To thrive as a Professional Writer, you need excellent command of language, strong research abilities, and a degree in English, journalism, or a related field. Familiarity with word processing software, content management systems, and sometimes SEO tools or style guides is often required. Creativity, adaptability, and effective communication are standout soft skills in this field. These skills ensure high-quality, engaging content that meets client or audience needs and adapts to various formats and platforms.

How do professional writers typically collaborate with editors and subject matter experts during the writing process?

Professional writers often work closely with editors and subject matter experts to ensure content accuracy, clarity, and alignment with project goals. Collaboration usually involves sharing drafts, receiving feedback, and participating in revision cycles to refine the text. Writers are expected to communicate effectively, remain open to constructive criticism, and adapt their writing style as needed. This teamwork not only enhances the quality of the final product but also helps writers expand their knowledge and improve their craft.

What is the difference between Professional Writing vs Technical Writing?

AspectProfessional WritingTechnical Writing
Required CredentialsOften a degree in English, Communications, or related fieldsTypically requires technical certifications or specialized knowledge
Work EnvironmentCorporate, marketing, or business settingsEngineering, IT, or scientific industries
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in advertising, public relations, and business communicationUsed in product manuals, user guides, and technical documentation
Search & Comparison IntentFocuses on general professional communication skillsFocuses on technical accuracy and detailed instructions

While both Professional Writing and Technical Writing involve clear communication, Professional Writing covers a broader range of business and marketing content, whereas Technical Writing specializes in precise, technical documentation for specific industries.

What are the most commonly searched types of Writing jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Writing jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Professional Writing jobs in Virginia?

For Professional Writing jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Professional Writing jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Professional Writing jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Professional Writing jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Professional Writing job openings:

Infographic showing various Professional Writing job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $63,848 per year, or $30.7 per hour.

Proposal Writer (mid-senior level)

Peraton

Herndon, VA

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago


Peraton rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 56 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

50th of 223 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