Capture & Proposal Manager - Help Frontier Tech Startups Win Strategic Funding
Remote | United States
Opportunity Summary
Approach Venture is hiring a Capture & Proposal Manager to help some of the most ambitious aerospace, defense, and frontier technology startups secure strategic funding, contracts, and long-term growth opportunities. This role sits at the intersection of capture strategy, proposal leadership, and startup growth. You will work directly with founders and technical teams to identify opportunities, shape winning strategies, and lead proposals from concept through submission. Success in this role is measured by funded programs, contract awards, and helping innovative technologies transition from concept to real-world deployment. You'll support multiple venture-backed startups across space systems, autonomy, robotics, advanced manufacturing, communications, AI, and national security technologies. If you enjoy owning the proposal process, influencing company strategy, and helping startups win meaningful work, this role offers a unique opportunity to make a direct impact across the frontier technology ecosystem.
About Us
Approach Venture partners with founders building the next generation of frontier technology companies. We support early-stage and growth-stage startups through recruiting, business development, proposal development, fundraising support, and strategic growth initiatives. Our clients range from first-time founders pursuing their initial SBIR award to rapidly scaling companies securing major government and commercial programs.
What You'll Do
- Own proposal and capture efforts from opportunity identification through submission and award support
- Identify, qualify, and prioritize government and commercial opportunities aligned with client technologies and growth objectives
- Develop capture strategies, win themes, competitive positioning, and customer engagement plans
- Lead proposal development efforts across SBIR/STTR, BAAs, OTAs, CSOs, TACFI, STRATFI, Phase III opportunities, RFIs, and RFPs
- Partner directly with founders, engineers, and subject matter experts to build compelling technical and business narratives
- Manage proposal schedules, compliance reviews, document control, and submission requirements
- Coordinate supporting materials including teaming agreements, letters of support, customer memorandums, and partnership documentation
- Support budget development, pricing strategies, milestones, and program planning activities
- Contribute to growth strategy, customer-facing presentations, and market expansion initiatives
- Conduct post-submission reviews and implement continuous improvements to proposal processes and win rates
- Build scalable proposal templates, playbooks, and knowledge management systems that improve execution across multiple engagements
Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in proposal management, capture management, growth strategy, government contracting, or related fields
- Demonstrated experience contributing to or leading successful contract awards
- Strong understanding of federal acquisition pathways and funding mechanisms
- Experience supporting SBIR/STTR programs, BAAs, OTAs, CSOs, RFIs, RFPs, or similar opportunities
- Exceptional writing, editing, communication, and project management skills
- Ability to translate highly technical concepts into clear, compelling proposals and growth narratives
- Comfortable operating in fast-paced startup environments with multiple priorities and deadlines
- Strong attention to detail and ability to manage complex submissions with minimal oversight
Preferred Experience
- Experience supporting venture-backed startups, small businesses, or highly technical organizations
- Background in aerospace, defense, robotics, autonomy, AI, advanced manufacturing, space systems, energy, or deep technology
- Familiarity with TACFI, STRATFI, Phase II and Phase III transition efforts
- Experience working directly with founders and executive leadership teams
- Exposure to customer engagement, strategic partnerships, or business development activities
- Technical background in engineering, science, or related disciplines
Why Join Approach Venture
- Work directly with founders building category-defining technologies
- Help startups secure transformational funding and strategic contracts
- Influence company growth, funding strategy, and long-term success
- Gain exposure to multiple high-growth startups rather than supporting a single organization
- Operate in a high-autonomy, high-impact environment where execution matters
- Fully remote with flexibility and ownership
- Competitive compensation with uncapped performance-based upside
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits
Compensation
Base Salary: $110,000 - $150,000 + commission and performance-based bonus