Capture & Proposal Lead

Modern Intelligence

• $150K — $210K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 4+ years in capture, proposals, or government business development in defense or deep-tech sectors
  • Proven experience managing government proposals from bid decision to submission
  • Skilled in writing RFI and RFP responses, white papers, and proposals for various government solicitations
  • Expertise in managing deadlines, compliance matrices, and color team reviews
  • Strong understanding of DoW acquisition and proposal structuring
  • Ability to translate technical input into clear, compliant proposals
  • Experience with CRM for tracking pursuits and reporting to executives
  • Familiarity with AI tools for research and proposal drafting

Responsibilities

  • Own the entire proposal process from bid/no-bid decision to submission
  • Develop and maintain capture plans, compliance matrices, and schedules
  • Coordinate with engineers to write technical sections of proposals
  • Build and manage a library of past performance and boilerplate content
  • Collaborate with Partnerships to write bids when pursuing contracts alongside manufacturers
  • Travel for customer meetings, industry days, and demos as required
  • Ensure proposals are compliant and effectively communicate technical differentiators

Benefits

  • Full medical coverage for employee and family
  • Comprehensive dental and vision coverage for employee and partial for dependents
  • Generous and flexible paid time off (PTO)
  • Paid holidays including all federal holidays and the last two weeks of the year
  • 12 weeks of paid parental leave
Full Job Description
Details

We have been founder-led on capture and proposals since 2021. You will be our first dedicated Capture & Propose hire.

You own each proposal from bid/no-bid through submission: capture plan, compliance matrix, schedule, color teams, and coordinating cost volume with finance. Engineers will write the technical sections with you. You'll build and maintain a living library of past performance and boilerplate so we reuse what already works.

We pursue DoW contracts via SBIR/STTR, AFWERX, Army xTech, DIU, SOFWERX, OTAs, CSOs, and BAAs that fit our technology. Wins often land as a sub on a partner's vehicle or as a software CLIN inside a larger contract. When we bid alongside a manufacturer, you'll work with Partnerships to help write those bids and win those contracts.

This role is on-site in Austin, or remote from the DC area until we open an office there. Travel as required for customer meetings, industry days, and demos.

Requirements

  • 4+ years in capture, proposals, or government business development at a defense, dual-use, hardware, or deep-tech company
  • Experience managing government proposals from the decision to bid through submission
  • Experience writing RFI and RFP responses, white papers, and proposals for SBIRs, OTAs, CSOs, BAAs, or FAR/DFARS solicitations
  • Experience managing deadlines, compliance matrices, and color team reviews
  • Understanding of DoW acquisition and how to structure proposals, including past performance and win themes
  • Ability to turn technical input from engineers and founders into clear, compliant proposals without overstating the product
  • Ability to distill robust technical AI/ML concepts and differentiators through clear, concise, and compelling written and verbal communication.
  • Experience tracking pursuits a CRM and reporting progress to the executive team
  • Regular use of AI tools for research, first drafts, compliance checks, and editing
  • Must be a U.S. person (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)). This role works with export-controlled technology.


Preferred Qualifications

  • Capture or proposal experience with autonomy, robotics, aerospace, or defense software
  • Wins as a subcontractor or software provider on a partner vehicle
  • Relationships with PEOs, program offices, or innovation units
  • Familiarity with FAR/DFARS and Shipley- or APMP-style capture process
  • Experience building a capture or proposal function at a startup


$125,000 - $175,000 semi monthly

Compensation Specifics
  • Final offer depends on demonstrated capture and proposal experience
  • Annual performance bonus tied to proposal delivery and awarded work
  • Equity is granted on top of base for every full-time role.
Benefits
  • Full medical for employee and family
  • Full dental and vision for employee and partial coverage for your dependents.
  • Generous and flexible PTO
  • Paid Holidays: All federal holidays + last two weeks of the calendar year
  • Paid Parental Leave: 12 weeks


Modern Intelligence builds Sovereign: edge targeting software for unmanned systems, already in use on live missions. You'll be our first dedicated Capture & Propose hire, owning the government pursuits and proposals that put Sovereign on contract, working directly with the founders. If you're hungry and move with agency, you should apply.

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