Proposal Lead (USA)

Work with cutting edge AI technology, making the world a safer and more secure place. DroneShield (ASX:DRO) offers an opportunity to solve some of world’s most challenging technical problems in the rapidly growing counter-drone sector. Our customers operate in some of the most challenging and high-stakes environments in the world, including military organizations, government agencies, airports, critical infrastructure operators, and law enforcement. Protecting airspace in these settings requires technology that performs under pressure and teams that understand what’s at stake. At DroneShield, employees work at the leading edge of counter-drone innovation, helping to address real-world security challenges as drone threats continue to evolve globally. DroneShield’s American operations are headquartered in Warrenton, Virginia, home to a growing team of approximately 30 highly skilled professionals. This office plays a critical role in the company’s global success, leading U.S.-focused R&D, sales, and customer support, and working closely with American defense and security stakeholders to deliver mission-critical counter-drone solutions tailored to local operational needs. As one of Australia’s largest publicly listed defense companies and a member of the ASX200, DroneShield is experiencing sustained hypergrowth. Global revenue increased from approximately US$38 million in 2024 to over US$125 million in 2025, representing growth of more than 400% year over year, alongside record profitability and cash flow. The global counter-UAS market is estimated at approximately US$100 billion and remains at an early stage, positioning DroneShield as a global market leader and the only publicly listed pure-play counter-drone company worldwide. DroneShield has grown from just 11 employees in 2017 to more than 450 employees globally today, with continued expansion planned across the United States, Europe, and APAC. The company invests over US$33 million annually in R&D, maintains a global sales pipeline exceeding US$1.65 billion, and continues to scale manufacturing and deployment capacity to meet accelerating demand. The Warrenton, Virginia office is central to DroneShield’s long-term U.S. strategy - bringing innovation closer to the customer, strengthening domestic capability, and supporting national security, public safety, and critical infrastructure protection outcomes across the United States.

About the role

DroneShield is seeking a highly capable Proposal Lead to manage and author key proposal responses—including RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, and other opportunities—across US and international defense security markets. This role is ideal for a strategic doer: someone who is equally comfortable managing a proposal and writing its core narrative. You will collaborate closely with sales, engineering, legal, finance, and executive stakeholders. You will coordinate inputs across cross-functional teams to develop compelling, high-quality, compliant proposals. This is a hands-on role suited to someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about delivering winning bids.

Responsibilities, Duties and Expectations 

• Own and manage the full lifecycle of proposal responses from initial RFP review to final submission—including compliance, scheduling, content development, and delivery
• Lead the writing effort, developing high-quality narrative content across technical, management, and executive sections
• Coordinate inputs from subject matter experts, commercial, legal, finance, and engineering to deliver complete and compliant submissions
• Establish and manage proposal plans, timelines, response matrices, and internal review cycles
• Run internal reviews and incorporate feedback to improve response quality continually
• Contribute to building and maintaining a library of reusable content, templates, past performance examples, and standard boilerplate
• Support US global sales teams with proposal tools, best practices, and lightweight coaching when needed

Qualifications, Experience and Skills 

• 3–5+ years of hands-on experience in proposal development, preferably in defense, aerospace, or dual-use technology sectors
• Strong familiarity with defense and government procurement
• Exceptional writing, editing, and structuring skills—you’re confident developing core content yourself
• Outstanding organizational and project management skills—you can manage internal and external stakeholders and multiple bids simultaneously under tight deadlines
• Skilled at working cross-functionally with technical and non-technical teams
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and document collaboration tools (e.g., SharePoint, Teams)