The primary function of this role is the leading and managing of Software proposals and Purchase agreements for Domestic and International customers. In addition to managing proposals, the BD Ops team is looking for this candidate to have strong understanding of AI and robotics technology and software products. In this capacity the proposal manager will be able to support our growing number of cost proposal submissions and mange, write, and respond to requests for information (RFIs).
What you'll do:
- Take extreme ownership of assigned proposal efforts for the product line.
- Manage multiple competing priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment including proposal management, technical content generation, and process improvement.
- Develop strategies that result in high quality, compliant and compelling proposals.
- Serve as the primary cross-functional owner of each proposal at all levels of the organization.
- Manage Project lifecycle from start to finish including kickoff, collaboration with stakeholders, leadership reviews.
- Maintain strict configuration management of all documentation.
- Develop compliance matrices to document solicitation requirements and ensure compliant proposals are submitted to a customer.
- Manage and author technical content for requests for information, abstracts, and quad charts.
- Support Account Executives to close deals and grow revenue by managing and driving critical business development operations.
- Work closely with BD, marketing, engineering, program, and product management teams to ensure proposal compliance for the technical, management, pricing, and past performance sections are
Required qualifications:
- 3-5+ years of proposal management experience plus experience working with government and International customers.
- Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, engineering or equivalent industry experience.
- Exposure to proposal methodologies (e.g. Shipley).
- Outstanding record of academic achievement.
- Demonstrated aptitude for analytics.
- Proven record of leadership in a work setting and/or through extracurricular activities.
- Exceptional analytical and quantitative problem-solving skills.
- Ability to author technical content for requests for information, abstracts, and quad charts.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
- Ability to work effectively with people at all levels in an organization.
- Ability to communicate complex ideas effectively – both verbally and in writing.
- You have a demonstrated record of working hard, being a trustworthy teammate, holding yourself and others to high standards, and being kind to others.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience managing Commercial proposals and agreements
- Strong understanding of AI and robotics technology
- Familiarity with software products.
- Strong technical background especially with Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs).
- You have demonstrated thorough understanding and knowledge of the military operations and the acquisition process that allows you to maintain strong customer relations.
- Demonstrated understanding of specific DoD operational scenarios and systems.
- Eligible for Secret+ security clearance.
Skills Required
- 3-5+ years of proposal management experience plus experience working with government and International customers.
- Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, engineering or equivalent industry experience.
- Exposure to proposal methodologies (e.g. Shipley).
- Outstanding record of academic achievement.
- Demonstrated aptitude for analytics.
- Proven record of leadership in a work setting and/or through extracurricular activities.
- Exceptional analytical and quantitative problem-solving skills.
- Ability to author technical content for requests for information, abstracts, and quad charts.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
- Ability to work effectively with people at all levels in an organization.
- Ability to communicate complex ideas effectively - both verbally and in writing.
- Experience managing Commercial proposals and agreements.
- Strong understanding of AI and robotics technology.
- Familiarity with software products.
- Strong technical background especially with Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs).
- Demonstrated understanding of military operations and the acquisition process.
- Demonstrated understanding of specific DoD operational scenarios and systems.
- Eligible for Secret+ security clearance.
What the Team is Saying
Shield AI Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Company materials describe excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage alongside a mental‑health EAP. Site perks such as an onsite gym in DC and a gym discount in San Diego support a health‑focused offering.
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Retirement Support — Careers materials highlight a 401(k) with company match as part of the standard package. A Total Rewards overview emphasizes retirement features within a broader, transparent compensation view.
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Career-Linked Recognition & Rewards — Compensation for in‑demand technical and senior go‑to‑market roles is described as competitive, with visible engineering ranges and top‑end packages. This points to meaningful upside tied to role, level, and scarce skills.
Shield AI Insights
What We Do
At Shield AI, you won't wait years to see your work reach the field. You'll build hardware and software that operates in the real world right now, in the hands of the people who depend on it. Hivemind, our AI pilot, has been flying since 2018. It has flown more than 30 platforms, including an F-16, and it now sits under a U.S. Air Force production contract for Collaborative Combat Aircraft. When you write code or shape a system here, you contribute to technology with a proven flight record and a clear production future. V-BAT flies intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions with an operational record that stretches from Ukraine to the Indo-Pacific. It delivers eyes where they matter most, in the most demanding conditions on earth. The teams behind it watch their work get tested where the stakes are real. X-BAT takes its first flight this year. It's an AI-piloted fighter that needs no runway, built to operate where traditional aircraft can't. Join now and you help shape a program at its earliest, most formative stage. That's the kind of ground-floor work that defines a career. Do the most impactful work of your life, on problems that matter. Autonomy at this level asks a lot of you. You'll take on problems in perception, planning, and control that few teams anywhere are equipped to solve. You'll work across disciplines, from aerospace and robotics to machine learning and systems engineering, alongside people who hold themselves to an exacting standard and expect the same from you. Our mission is clear: protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems. That purpose runs through every decision, every design review, and every deployment. It's why the work here carries a weight you can feel. Ready to join our mission? Explore our open roles and find where you fit.
Why Work With Us
Founded in 2015 by a former Navy SEAL, Shield AI builds AI pilots and uncrewed aircraft. Veterans aren't an afterthought here, they're at every level. It's why the work carries weight: AI pilots and uncrewed aircraft flying real missions, from Ukraine to the Indo-Pacific, protecting service members and civilians.
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Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
