Proposal Manager Jobs in Arizona
Proposal Manager jobs in Arizona are actively sought across defense contracting, aerospace, construction, and government services, with demand running from coordinator-level roles through senior and director-level positions. Phoenix and Tucson anchor most of the hiring, with Scottsdale adding a growing cluster of professional services and technology firms, and established employers like Raytheon Technologies, AECOM, and Honeywell Federal Manufacturing and Technologies representing durable sources of openings. The most in-demand specialties are federal and defense proposal writing, construction bid management, and technology solutions pursuits. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 8+ Proposal Manager jobs
ABOUT ROCKET LAB
Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Rocket Lab's Business Development team is responsible for connecting customers across government and commercial sectors with our industry leading mission solutions spanning launch and space systems. They work closely with new and existing customers to understand their needs and develop tailored solutions to deliver their missions. Building and maintaining relationships with customers and internally with engineering and operations teams is at the core of our Business Development team. They have their fingers on the pulse of the space industry and are driven to deliver results for our customers and our business.
SENIOR PROPOSAL MANAGER II
Based out of Rocket Lab's site in Tucson, AZ, the Senior Proposal Manager plays a key role in creating compliant and compelling business proposals that win new business with US and international customers. This role primarily supports the Space Systems Business Development team, with a specific focus on satellite opportunities.
WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:
- Develop and execute proposal plans, including analyzing RFPs, creating outlines, and building compliance matrices.
- Collaborate with the Business Development Manager and/or Director to craft winning proposal strategies and develop compelling messaging.
- Write and manage compliant, high-quality proposals that clearly address RFP requirements.
- Take responsibility for specific volumes of proposals, ensuring they are well-written, compliant, and align with the overall strategy.
- Lead proposal kick-off meetings and facilitate regular check-ins with contributors to ensure timelines are met.
- Coordinate with internal teams (such as engineering, finance, legal) to gather and refine content for proposals.
- Create and manage proposal templates, reusable content, and visual elements (charts, tables, and infographics).
- Conduct quality assurance reviews for grammar, consistency, and formatting to ensure polished submissions.
- Oversee final production and submission, ensuring proposals are delivered on time and meet customer requirements.
- Document lessons learned, and recommend process improvements for future proposals.
- Support travel as needed (~10%).
YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in technical, management, or business discipline.
- 8+ years of experience in proposal management.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
- Demonstrated success leading proposals with values greater than $100 million.
- Technical writing expertise, with a proven ability to translate complex technical information into clear, concise, and persuasive language tailored to different audiences.
- Project management experience, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, meeting deadlines while ensuring high-quality deliverables.
- Experience leading cross-functional teams to achieve proposal objectives.
THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
- Active U.S. security clearance.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel.
- Experience using tools such as Salesforce and SharePoint.
- Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to balance and prioritize multiple tasks.
- Background in organizational effectiveness and operations, implementing best practices.
- Experience with proposal frameworks and methodologies.
- Familiarity with industry-standard proposal processes such as Shipley or APMP.
- Familiarity with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR).
- Aerospace or defense industry experience, with a strong understanding of the competitive landscape, customer base, and technology trends in the aerospace or satellite industry.
- Ability to effectively present proposal concepts and strategies to internal stakeholders, including team members and leadership.
- Proven ability to build relationships with internal stakeholders, including engineers, leadership, and cross-functional team members.
This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.
WHAT TO EXPECT
We're on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that's not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other's backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.
Important information:
FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.
Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.
FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:
For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.
ABOUT ROCKET LAB
Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Rocket Lab's Business Development team is responsible for connecting customers across government and commercial sectors with our industry leading mission solutions spanning launch and space systems. They work closely with new and existing customers to understand their needs and develop tailored solutions to deliver their missions. Building and maintaining relationships with customers and internally with engineering and operations teams is at the core of our Business Development team. They have their fingers on the pulse of the space industry and are driven to deliver results for our customers and our business.
SENIOR PROPOSAL MANAGER II
Based out of Rocket Lab's site in Tucson, AZ, the Senior Proposal Manager plays a key role in creating compliant and compelling business proposals that win new business with US and international customers. This role primarily supports the Space Systems Business Development team, with a specific focus on satellite opportunities.
WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:
- Develop and execute proposal plans, including analyzing RFPs, creating outlines, and building compliance matrices.
- Collaborate with the Business Development Manager and/or Director to craft winning proposal strategies and develop compelling messaging.
- Write and manage compliant, high-quality proposals that clearly address RFP requirements.
- Take responsibility for specific volumes of proposals, ensuring they are well-written, compliant, and align with the overall strategy.
- Lead proposal kick-off meetings and facilitate regular check-ins with contributors to ensure timelines are met.
- Coordinate with internal teams (such as engineering, finance, legal) to gather and refine content for proposals.
- Create and manage proposal templates, reusable content, and visual elements (charts, tables, and infographics).
- Conduct quality assurance reviews for grammar, consistency, and formatting to ensure polished submissions.
- Oversee final production and submission, ensuring proposals are delivered on time and meet customer requirements.
- Document lessons learned, and recommend process improvements for future proposals.
- Support travel as needed (~10%).
YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in technical, management, or business discipline.
- 8+ years of experience in proposal management.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
- Demonstrated success leading proposals with values greater than $100 million.
- Technical writing expertise, with a proven ability to translate complex technical information into clear, concise, and persuasive language tailored to different audiences.
- Project management experience, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, meeting deadlines while ensuring high-quality deliverables.
- Experience leading cross-functional teams to achieve proposal objectives.
THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
- Active U.S. security clearance.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel.
- Experience using tools such as Salesforce and SharePoint.
- Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to balance and prioritize multiple tasks.
- Background in organizational effectiveness and operations, implementing best practices.
- Experience with proposal frameworks and methodologies.
- Familiarity with industry-standard proposal processes such as Shipley or APMP.
- Familiarity with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR).
- Aerospace or defense industry experience, with a strong understanding of the competitive landscape, customer base, and technology trends in the aerospace or satellite industry.
- Ability to effectively present proposal concepts and strategies to internal stakeholders, including team members and leadership.
- Proven ability to build relationships with internal stakeholders, including engineers, leadership, and cross-functional team members.
This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.
WHAT TO EXPECT
We're on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that's not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other's backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.
Important information:
FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.
Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.
FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:
For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.
See All 8 Proposal Manager Jobs in Arizona
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Find Proposal Manager JobsProposal Manager Jobs by City in Arizona
Where Arizona roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Proposal Manager Job Market in Arizona
A snapshot from current Arizona openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate
What Arizona Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in proposal manager jobs across Arizona.
- Bachelor's degree in English, communications, business, or a related technical field
- Demonstrated experience managing full proposal lifecycle from RFP analysis through submission
- Familiarity with FAR, government procurement processes, and federal solicitation formats
- Proficiency with proposal management tools such as Adobe Acrobat, SharePoint, and MS Office
- APMP Foundation or Practitioner certification preferred by many Arizona defense and government contractors
- Ability to lead cross-functional teams across engineering, contracts, and pricing under tight deadlines
Proposal Manager Jobs in Arizona: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a proposal manager in Arizona?
Most Arizona employers hire proposal managers with a bachelor's degree in communications, business, English, or a technical discipline relevant to their industry. There is no state-issued license required for this role in Arizona. Candidates strengthen their standing significantly by earning APMP certification, which the Association of Proposal Management Professionals administers and which Arizona's large defense and government contracting employers consistently recognize in their job postings.
How much do proposal managers make in Arizona?
Proposal managers in Arizona earn a median of about $99,050 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $62,050 for the lowest 10% to over $161,870 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire proposal managers in Arizona?
Employers hiring proposal managers in Arizona right now include Rocket Lab USA, ADC, and GFT, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Arizona's concentration of defense primes, aerospace manufacturers, and large infrastructure contractors means proposal management roles here tend to require familiarity with federal acquisition and government RFP formats.
Which Arizona cities have the most proposal manager jobs?
Phoenix, Tempe, and Tucson are the cities with the most proposal manager openings in Arizona. Phoenix leads because of its dense concentration of defense contractors, engineering firms, and government agencies, while Tucson's base of aerospace and defense employers anchors strong activity there, and Scottsdale contributes openings from its growing cluster of technology and professional services companies.
Are there remote proposal manager jobs in Arizona?
Yes, and more than most fields, since proposal management is fundamentally a desk-based writing and coordination role. About 80% of proposal manager openings tied to Arizona are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting how well the work translates to distributed teams. The most remote-friendly portions of the role are content development, editing, and compliance review, while color team reviews and strategy sessions are more often conducted on-site or in person.
How can I get hired as a proposal manager in Arizona with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a proposal coordinator or proposal writer role, which Arizona defense and construction employers routinely fill with candidates who have strong writing skills but limited direct proposal experience. Large firms like AECOM, Raytheon, and Hensel Phelps post entry-level proposal support positions that build toward manager titles. Earning the APMP Foundation certification before applying is the single most effective credential move for candidates without a full proposal portfolio.
Where can I find and apply to proposal manager jobs in Arizona?
You can find and apply to proposal manager jobs in Arizona on Migrate Mate, which lists current Arizona openings. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 8 Proposal Manager Jobs in Arizona
Find roles in Arizona that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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