Proposal Manager
Divergent, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Torrance, California, United States; Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Divergent is a technology company that has architected, invented, built, and commercialized an end‑to‑end factory system called the Divergent Adaptive Production System (DAPS) that comprehensively uses machine learning to optimally engineer, additively manufacture, and flexibly assemble complex integrated vehicle structures and subsystems. Products created using DAPS are superior in performance, lower in cost, rapidly customizable to meet mission and customer‑specific requirements, faster to market, and scalable on demand to high volume production. Divergent is a qualified Tier 1 supplier to global automotive OEMs, and Divergent is now expanding to support mission critical needs in the Aerospace and Defense sector. Join us to be a part of this transformative journey, where your impact will shape the future of technology and production.
Purpose
As a Proposal Manager, you will sit at the center of Divergent’s most critical growth efforts and own the development and execution of complex, high‑value proposals from initial strategy through final submission. You will serve as the connective tissue across program management, business development, engineering, legal, finance, and executive teams, ensuring all contributors are aligned while juggling multiple proposal responses and ensuring they stay on track for successful delivery. You will drive strategy, shaping how Divergent’s capabilities are positioned against customer requirements and competitive dynamics. This includes highlighting strengths, identifying risks, and working directly with technical subject matter experts to refine solutions and mitigate gaps. You will own proposal planning, generation, execution, and submission end‑to‑end, including compliance, review cycles, pricing alignment, and final submission. This role requires exceptional project management and attention to detail, as well as creativity, critical thinking, and bias towards action. The Role
Own end‑to‑end proposal responses, serving as primary author and integrator of cross‑functional inputs Develop response structure and compliance, ensuring adherence to solicitation instructions and all applicable federal, prime, and regulatory requirements Translate complex technical inputs into clear, compelling narratives that highlight Divergent’s differentiated capabilities and align to evaluation criteria, while maintaining consistency across volumes Drive response strategy in partnership with business development teams, including win themes, differentiators, and competitive positioning Partner with business development, program management, and executives to drive pricing strategy and price‑to‑win alignment, increasing proposal competitiveness and PWIN Coordinate and manage complex, cross‑functional review cycles, ensuring actionable feedback is incorporated effectively and on schedule Track customer priorities and competitive dynamics to continuously refine bids and positioning Support drafting a range of informational and marketing materials, such as white papers, pitch decks, and more Basic Qualifications
Ability to lawfully access information and technology that is subject to US export controls 5+ years of experience in proposal management or similar writing‑ and project management‑intensive roles, with a strong track record of delivering high‑quality, technically complex, deadline‑driven work Able to bring structure to ambiguous, fast‑moving environments Bias towards action and proven ability to manage complex, cross‑functional efforts with multiple stakeholders under tight deadlines while maintaining high standards for quality and compliance Exceptional writing and communication skills, with the ability to synthesize technical, legal, and business inputs into clear, persuasive narratives Highly organized, detail‑oriented, and capable of managing multiple concurrent proposals at different stages U.S. citizen eligible and willing to obtain a Secret or Top Secret security clearance Preferred Qualifications
Experience operating in fast‑paced, innovation‑driven environments such as software, advanced manufacturing, or similar Familiarity with standard bid and proposal processes, with the judgment to adapt them for speed and agility in non‑traditional contracting environments Demonstrated experience managing large, complex proposals (e.g., multi‑volume RFPs, IDIQs, or strategic captures) end‑to‑end and winning major contracts Strong understanding of federal acquisition processes, procurement cycles, and government contracting frameworks Experience supporting pricing strategy, including collaboration on cost volumes and price‑to‑win This position will be based either in Washington DC (remote) or hybrid/onsite in our Torrance, CA office Compensation
At Divergent, our pay range is based on the level of the job. For this role, we will consider candidates at levels S05 – S06 as evaluated through our interview process. S06/Lead level: $133,580 – $183,680 $115,670 – $183,680 USD Benefits
Competitive salary, equity plan, and discretionary results‑based incentive bonus opportunities Paid vacation, sick time, and company holidays, including a year‑end shutdown Paid parental leave Comprehensive health and wellness benefits, including HMO and Premium PPO options, life insurance, and short/long‑term disability coverage Reimbursement for learning and development initiatives Collaborative, high‑performing environment within a fast‑paced, mission‑driven company Equal Employment Opportunity Divergent is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected characteristic. Divergent provides affirmative action in employment for qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.
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As a Proposal Manager, you will sit at the center of Divergent’s most critical growth efforts and own the development and execution of complex, high‑value proposals from initial strategy through final submission. You will serve as the connective tissue across program management, business development, engineering, legal, finance, and executive teams, ensuring all contributors are aligned while juggling multiple proposal responses and ensuring they stay on track for successful delivery. You will drive strategy, shaping how Divergent’s capabilities are positioned against customer requirements and competitive dynamics. This includes highlighting strengths, identifying risks, and working directly with technical subject matter experts to refine solutions and mitigate gaps. You will own proposal planning, generation, execution, and submission end‑to‑end, including compliance, review cycles, pricing alignment, and final submission. This role requires exceptional project management and attention to detail, as well as creativity, critical thinking, and bias towards action. The Role
Own end‑to‑end proposal responses, serving as primary author and integrator of cross‑functional inputs Develop response structure and compliance, ensuring adherence to solicitation instructions and all applicable federal, prime, and regulatory requirements Translate complex technical inputs into clear, compelling narratives that highlight Divergent’s differentiated capabilities and align to evaluation criteria, while maintaining consistency across volumes Drive response strategy in partnership with business development teams, including win themes, differentiators, and competitive positioning Partner with business development, program management, and executives to drive pricing strategy and price‑to‑win alignment, increasing proposal competitiveness and PWIN Coordinate and manage complex, cross‑functional review cycles, ensuring actionable feedback is incorporated effectively and on schedule Track customer priorities and competitive dynamics to continuously refine bids and positioning Support drafting a range of informational and marketing materials, such as white papers, pitch decks, and more Basic Qualifications
Ability to lawfully access information and technology that is subject to US export controls 5+ years of experience in proposal management or similar writing‑ and project management‑intensive roles, with a strong track record of delivering high‑quality, technically complex, deadline‑driven work Able to bring structure to ambiguous, fast‑moving environments Bias towards action and proven ability to manage complex, cross‑functional efforts with multiple stakeholders under tight deadlines while maintaining high standards for quality and compliance Exceptional writing and communication skills, with the ability to synthesize technical, legal, and business inputs into clear, persuasive narratives Highly organized, detail‑oriented, and capable of managing multiple concurrent proposals at different stages U.S. citizen eligible and willing to obtain a Secret or Top Secret security clearance Preferred Qualifications
Experience operating in fast‑paced, innovation‑driven environments such as software, advanced manufacturing, or similar Familiarity with standard bid and proposal processes, with the judgment to adapt them for speed and agility in non‑traditional contracting environments Demonstrated experience managing large, complex proposals (e.g., multi‑volume RFPs, IDIQs, or strategic captures) end‑to‑end and winning major contracts Strong understanding of federal acquisition processes, procurement cycles, and government contracting frameworks Experience supporting pricing strategy, including collaboration on cost volumes and price‑to‑win This position will be based either in Washington DC (remote) or hybrid/onsite in our Torrance, CA office Compensation
At Divergent, our pay range is based on the level of the job. For this role, we will consider candidates at levels S05 – S06 as evaluated through our interview process. S06/Lead level: $133,580 – $183,680 $115,670 – $183,680 USD Benefits
Competitive salary, equity plan, and discretionary results‑based incentive bonus opportunities Paid vacation, sick time, and company holidays, including a year‑end shutdown Paid parental leave Comprehensive health and wellness benefits, including HMO and Premium PPO options, life insurance, and short/long‑term disability coverage Reimbursement for learning and development initiatives Collaborative, high‑performing environment within a fast‑paced, mission‑driven company Equal Employment Opportunity Divergent is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected characteristic. Divergent provides affirmative action in employment for qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.
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