Proposal Writer & Capture Manager - Space & Defense Startup Consulting

Proposal Writer & Capture Manager – Help Frontier-Tech Founders Win and Scale!

Remote | United States

Opportunity Summary

Approach Venture is hiring experienced Aerospace & Defense proposal writers who excel at translating complex technology into compelling, compliant, and competitive proposals. In this role, you’ll partner directly with early-stage and venture-backed startups to secure both commercial and government contracts that fuel their growth and technical roadmaps. This is a highly collaborative role for someone who enjoys hands-on writing, coordination, and execution. You’ll work across multiple fast-growing startups advancing space, defense, and dual-use technology initiatives. Day to day, you’ll shape proposals from concept through submission, including technical narrative development, compliance documentation, and pricing justification — all while working closely with engineering, leadership, and BD teams. If you know how to win through clarity, rigor, and storytelling, this role puts you right at the point of impact.

About Us

Approach Venture partners with founders building the next generation of frontier technology. We support early-stage startups through proposal strategy, capture execution, and market positioning across government and commercial sectors. From dual-use autonomy and propulsion to space systems, advanced manufacturing, and communications tech — our mission is to help founders convert innovation into meaningful traction.

Job Duties

• Lead proposal development from opportunity evaluation through final submission across government and commercial pursuits
• Write, organize, and refine technical and management volumes that clearly convey capability, value, and compliance
• Collaborate directly with startup founders, engineers, and BD leaders to translate technical content into compelling language
• Manage proposal schedules, document control, and compliance tracking to ensure full alignment with solicitation requirements
• Coordinate materials such as teaming agreements, customer memorandums, CRADAs, and letters of support
• Support the creation of pricing narratives, milestone plans, and budget justifications with client teams
• Participate in debriefs and lessons-learned cycles to strengthen capture strategy and proposal execution
• Contribute to investor and market-facing proposal summaries when needed
• Maintain templates, guidelines, and archives to drive repeatable quality across client engagements

Qualifications

• 5+ years of proposal writing or proposal management experience in aerospace, defense, or government technology programs
• Demonstrated success supporting winning awards (SBIR/STTR, BAAs, CRADAs, OTAs / CSOs, RFIs / RFPs, etc.)
• Background working with or supporting startup or venture-backed organizations
• Familiarity with federal acquisition pathways, solicitation structures, and evaluation frameworks
• Exceptional writing and editing capability with a clear, concise style
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
• Comfortable working across distributed teams and within dynamic startup environments

Preferred Experience

• Technical education or experience in engineering, physics, or related fields
• Proposal exposure in autonomy, propulsion, spacecraft, or advanced manufacturing
• Understanding of dual-use and defense innovation funding pathways
• Experience collaborating with small, highly technical founding teams

Why Join Approach Venture

• 100% remote environment with flexibility and creative ownership
• Direct collaboration with founders building mission-driven technologies
• Exposure to cutting-edge aerospace and defense programs
• Work inside a small, agile team where execution matters
• Competitive compensation with performance-based upside
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Meaningful opportunity to help startups secure transformational contracts

Compensation & Benefits

$110,000 – $150,000 base salary + bonus & commission