Strategic Pursuits Lead (R3979) at Shield AI

United States

Shield AI Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Defense, Aerospace, Government ContractingIndustries

Requirements

  • Minimum 7+ years of proposal writing experience in the federal contracting environment, with Government-acquisition fluency
  • Proven track record: Authored 100+ competitive proposals or white papers with a 50%+ win/conversion rate
  • Demonstrated throughput capacity — ability to manage and produce multiple complex proposals concurrently without sacrificing quality or compliance
  • Strong understanding of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), proposal compliance, and evaluation methodologies
  • Expertise in technical proposal writing for complex solutions, including systems, software, engineering services, and R&D projects
  • Exceptional writing, storytelling, editing, and grammar skills tailored to technical and non-technical audiences
  • Ability to integrate technical, management, and past performance volumes into a cohesive, winning proposal
  • Preferred qualifications
  • Proposal writing experience from FFRDCs (e.g., MITRE, MIT Lincoln Laboratory) or UARCs (e.g., Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon University, Johns Hopkins APL, Georgia Tech Research Institute)
  • Experience leading proposal volumes or managing small-to-mid-sized proposals independently
  • Familiarity with producing bids for BAA, IDIQ, GWAC, and task orders

Responsibilities

  • Lead the development of written content across the full proposal lifecycle—including RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, and white papers
  • Translate win strategies, themes, and technical input into clear, compelling, and compliant proposal narratives
  • Serve as a volume lead (technical, management, past performance) on high-priority pursuits; collaborate with capture leads and SMEs to build differentiated responses
  • Develop and maintain compliant proposal structures, including annotated outlines, storyboards, compliance matrices, and response templates
  • Deliver high-throughput proposal production while maintaining exceptional quality and compliance — consistently producing winning submissions on aggressive timelines
  • Demonstrate a high yield rate (win/conversion rate) on competitive pursuits
  • Work closely with proposal managers to support kickoff meetings, color team reviews (Pink, Red, Gold), and final production
  • Ensure narrative consistency, accuracy, and alignment with PWS/SOW requirements and customer value propositions and win themes
  • Maintain a reusable content library, develop boilerplate content, and support the creation of strategic messaging and solution frameworks
  • Contribute to visual content including graphics, infographics, and tables that reinforce narrative clarity
  • Lead, coach, and mentor junior proposal writers to improve their technical writing skills, compliance discipline, and throughput
  • Provide quality assurance and peer reviews for proposals in development

Skills

proposal writing
RFP
RFI
RFQ
white papers
win strategies
compliance matrices
annotated outlines
storyboards
technical volume lead
management volume lead
past performance
capture management
government proposals
defense proposals

Shield AI

Develops AI and autonomous systems for defense

About Shield AI

Shield AI specializes in creating artificial intelligence and autonomous systems specifically for the defense industry. The company develops AI-powered systems, including autonomous drones, that assist military operations, especially in environments where GPS and communication may not be available. This technology allows for safer and more efficient defense operations. Shield AI differentiates itself from competitors by focusing on advanced AI capabilities and securing significant contracts with government and military clients, such as the multi-billion dollar EWAAC contract. The company's goal is to enhance operational capabilities and safety in military contexts, ultimately aiming to protect lives through its innovative solutions.

San Diego, CaliforniaHeadquarters
2015Year Founded
$772.8MTotal Funding
DEBTCompany Stage
AI & Machine Learning, DefenseIndustries
501-1,000Employees

Benefits

Medical Insurance Coverage
Long Term Disability Insurance
Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA
Employee Assistance Program
Subsidized Gym Membership
Pet Insurance
Competitive Compensation
Retirement Services
Life Insurance
Parental Leave
Bereavement Support
Flexible Work Hours
PTO
Paid Holidays
Commuter Benefits
Relaxed Dress Code
Yearly Swag Items
Unlimited Snacks
Bottomless Beverages
Annual Celebrations
Work From Home Benefits
Standing Desks and Widescreen Monitors

Risks

Increased competition from companies like Waymo could divert investment from Shield AI.
Geopolitical tensions may challenge the JSW Defence partnership for V-BAT production in India.
Dependency on Palantir's infrastructure may limit Shield AI's operational flexibility.

Differentiation

Shield AI's Hivemind is the first autonomous AI pilot deployed in combat since 2018.
Strategic partnerships with Palantir and JSW Defence enhance technological capabilities and market reach.
Shield AI's V-BAT drone is selected for a $198 million U.S. Coast Guard contract.

Upsides

Increased demand for autonomous systems in defense boosts Shield AI's market potential.
Successful multi-aircraft autonomous flight tests showcase advanced AI piloting capabilities.
Significant investment in robotics indicates a robust market for Shield AI's offerings.

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