Technical Writer and Proposal Manager

(This position is located in Fulton, MD)

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Technical Writer and Proposal Manager will work in a fast-paced environment providing support and leadership in the creation of technical documentation deliverables associated with a variety of technical system integration programs and leading the development and on-time submission of all DAS proposals for new business.  The day-to-day focus of this role will be on the technical writing support to existing programs, but the focus will shift to proposal management approximately 5-10 times each year, general for periods of 2-3 weeks.  At times these roles will need to be executed simultaneously.  

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Technical Writer

- Support DAS Program Managers (PM) with the creation and editing of industry standard technical documentation, such as test reports, technical instructions, manuals, plans, and other internal and external data deliverables.  

- Research industry standards for technical documentation, when required, and provide guidance and training to other staff members on documentation formats, content, and standards.  

- Produce charts and graphics associated with technical documentation.  

- Utilize basic photography equipment (iPhone and basic LED lights) to photograph parts, components, and systems to include in technical documentation.

- Manage documentation development schedules to ensure ON TIME delivery of high-quality products.

- Review products produced by engineers, scientists, and managers for language, format, presentation consistency, and package these inputs into the appropriate formats for submission to government and commercial customers, as required. 

- Proofread, edit, and finalize contract proposals, technical reports, administrative documents, and internal memoranda with unparalleled attention to detail.

- Other duties as assigned.

Proposal Manager

- Monitor existing business development consortia and forums for new business opportunities relevant to DAS on a daily basis

- Identify and evaluate new business development sources for DAS and propose participation to DAS Business Development Team, when appropriate.

- Lead DAS evaluation of new business opportunities (generally Requests For Proposal posted by consortia and forums) and convene Business Development meetings to make participation decisions.

- Lead proposal development processes and ensure ON TIME creation, refinement, and submission of high-quality proposals.

- Assign proposal development tasks to appropriate DAS team members at all levels of the company and monitor and support their on-time completion.  

- Other duties as assigned

EXPECTATIONS:

- As our Technical Writer, this position will work primarily on-site, full-time at our office in Fulton, MD to allow direct interface with technical development teams and systems as they are developing.  

- As our Technical Writer, this position will interface with and work directly for multiple project teams and will be required to effectively balance and deconflict simultaneous tasking from multiple projects.

- As our Proposal Manager, this position is expected to drive the on-time creation of winning proposals - even when participating team members are distracted by current program deliverables and other priorities. This will require persistence and the willingness to constructively hold more senior members accountable for proposal task deadlines.  

- As our Technical Writer and Proposal Manager, it is expected that this position will provide the highest attention to detail in the company for proofreading and final editing, and that documentation products reviewed by this position will be 100% error-free and ready for immediate transmission to clients.  

- Work hours will, on occasion, require evenings and weekends to meet tight delivery timelines.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

· A minimum of 2 years of technical writing or editing experience in an engineering, manufacturing, or other technical environment.

· Professional personal appearance and the ability to deliver an excellent first impression of DAS to visitors, guests, and partners.

· Fully fluent with MS Office applications (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and comfortable learning additional software applications as they are adopted by the firm

· Fluent in MS Project and preferably have some project management training.

· Demonstrated technical writing expertise.

· Entrepreneurial mindset – willingness to perform any function within the organization that is needed.

· Experience working collaboratively and selflessly within a team-oriented environment.

· Ability to work effectively with minimum supervision.

· Proactive self-starter who can devise effective solutions to complex challenges.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

· BS in English, or Science 

- Experience working in a government program office, or engineering or software development firm is a plus.

SECURITY CLEARANCE:

This position requires that the candidate be willing and able to complete a successful background screening for a US DoD security clearance. Candidates with an active security clearance will receive preference.

DRUG TESTING:

Applicants being considered for hire may be required to pass a drug test and background check before beginning work or receiving an offer of employment. Refusal to submit to testing will result in disqualification of further employment consideration.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk, sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

ADA: Defense Architecture Systems will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

This job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and marginal job functions are subject to modification. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

BENEFITS:

  • A minimum of 10 days of paid vacations plus and an additional 10 days of paid holiday leave each year

  • Health Insurance Benefits (QSEHRA) available for Full-Time Employees

  • 401k with Company Contribution after one year of employment

  • Paid Training and Career Growth Opportunities Upon Approval

  • Growth opportunity within a small business environment


To apply, please send your resume to info@dasystemsinc.com. Please put the title of the position in the subject line.