Proposal Development Specialist - Proposal Training Program

Description

Proposal Development Specialist — Proposal Development Specialist Training Program

Leidos is hiring four Proposal Development Specialists (PDSs) as part of our Proposal Development Specialist Training Program (PDSTP). PDSs are high-performing, early-career professionals who want more than a traditional career path. Through hands-on experience, mentorship, and exposure to multiple proposal disciplines, PDSs develop a broad set of capabilities to discover their strengths and learn how to bring together strategy, creativity, and execution to help win business.

New to Proposals? A quick primer.

A proposal is an offeror’s written response to a customer's formal solicitation, making the case for how they will meet the customer’s mission needs and requirements and why they should be chosen over the competition. Winning proposals earn new contracts and fuel company growth, and proposal professionals plan, write, and shape offerings into compliant, compelling bids – the craft built through the PDSTP.

The Program.

The PDSTP is a two-year Training Program designed to grow agile, cross-functional proposal talent from the ground up. The program prepares high-potential, early-career employees for future proposal specialization by exposing them to the full range of proposal development disciplines and pairing them with experienced mentors who guide them throughout their rotations. Participants graduate as versatile, multi-skilled proposal development specialists ready to be deployed to the pursuits that matter most.

The Proposal Operations organization resides within Capture Operations & Excellence (CO&E), a dynamic group of experts responsible for developing winning, compliant, and compelling proposals that drive top-line growth. Our teams are fast-paced, deadline-driven, and highly motivated to win. PDSTP candidates typically have a high energy level, strong enthusiasm, a passion for persuasive storytelling, a competitive edge, exceptional writing and communication skills, and the discipline to deliver under pressure.

PDSTP participants rotate through a range of proposal development functions, which may include proposal coordination, proposal management, and writing, gaining hands-on exposure to how winning proposals come together while working alongside experienced teams and mentors. PDSs deepen their expertise in selected focus areas and apply what they've learned on live, high-priority proposals.

Throughout the program, participants build the core skills that drive winning proposals from interpreting customer requirements to crafting clear and competitive content.

In addition to the regular rotational assignments, PDSTP participants may participate in specialized trainings, conferences, and workshops, and may accept special rotational assignments as they are presented or surface during their participation in the program.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited university and 0–3 years of relevant experience
• Academic excellence
• Demonstrated leadership, initiative, and ownership
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• 1–2 letters of recommendation, attached to application when applying.
• Essay: “Why do you want to be in the Proposal Development Specialist Training Program? What makes you the right fit for the Program?” (1 page overall max).  Attach to your application when applying.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-stakes, deadline-driven environment
• Must be a U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain a federal security clearance if required

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge and experience in the U.S. Government's procurement process
• Knowledge of a Government contractor's proposal process and development (e.g. Section L/M, compliance matrices)
• Experience in proposal development, technical or business writing, communications, and/or marketing
• High energy, enthusiasm, and a competitive edge
• Flexibility to change with rotational assignments
• Self-motivated
• Willingness to continually learn and grow
• Ability to work in a team
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to manage competing priorities to meet demanding deadlines
• Security Clearance (depending on program assignment)

Applications Accepted: 11/10/2026 – 12/11/2026

At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Securing Your Data

Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos’ name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system – never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at [email protected].

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.