Business Development Operations Specialist II

As a Business Development Operations Specialist II, you will maintain the capture status of all opportunities for a business unit within an established Customer Relationship Manager (CRM) database. Working with the broader Business Development team, Business Unit leaders and support teams (Legal, Finance, etc.), you will be responsible for maintaining the data integrity of the business development pipeline and providing regular updates to Business Unit leadership in various forums. As opportunities mature into the final stages of the capture process, you will take an active role in serving as a proposal manager for developing responses to active Requests for Proposal (RFPs). Working with technical SMEs, Programs, Finance, Legal, Quality and business leaders, your responsibilities include leading proposal check ins, ensuring adherence to the response schedule and proposal compliance. Following award, you will support early program startup activities (kick-off meetings) and ensure a structured handoff to the long-term Program Manager.  

Responsibilities 

• Lead development of proposal requirements (with input from Program team) including schedules, headcount plans, SOWs, execution strategy slides, risk registers, and compliance matrices. 

• Working with Finance, develop and maintain detailed cost models, pricing frameworks, and resource estimates aligned with customer requirements and internal constraints. 

• Manage and document internal opportunity gate reviews and pipeline status for opportunities as assigned and ensure alignment across executive and technical stakeholders. 

• In conjunction with Capture Manager, interface with customers as needed during proposal refinement and submission. 

• Support initial contract negotiation efforts in coordination with BD and Legal. 

• Transition awarded programs to long-term Program Managers with full documentation and context. 

• Contribute to internal process development around bid submission, cost modeling, and program startup best practices. 

• Communicate the status of the business development pipeline and opportunities via various leadership and team forums.  

• Other duties as assigned. 

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related technical field. 

• 3+ years of experience in business development, program management, proposal development, or equivalent roles in aerospace or defense. 

• Strong understanding of business development processes and proposal planning. 

• Experience coordinating cross-functional teams to generate proposal deliverables under tight deadlines. 

• Excellent communication and documentation skills, including the ability to create high-quality proposal artifacts. 

• Familiarity with government contract structures, compliance requirements, and the formal bid process (FAR/DFARS, etc.) or with commercial contract equivalent processes.  

• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint); ability to work within structured review and approval processes. 

• Eligible for a U.S. DoD Secret clearance. 

Preferred Experience 

• Experience with DoW or Prime contractor proposal submissions (e.g., with Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, or Northrop Grumman). 

• Familiarity with propulsion systems or solid rocket motor development environments. 

• Knowledge and use of AI tools for business development applications.  

• Exposure to Earned Value Management (EVM), proposal pricing tools, or cost-volume generation. 

• Working knowledge of contract processes, terms and bid strategies  

• Active DoD Secret clearance. 

Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $80,000 - $100,000, determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. What we can’t quantify for you are the exciting challenges, supportive team, and amazing culture we enjoy. 

Classification: Full-time Exempt