Job description
Senior Technical Writer
About Us:
BlackSky is a real-time intelligence company. We own and operate the world’s most advanced space-based intelligence platform and provide customers satellite imagery, automated analytics and high-frequency monitoring of strategic locations, economic assets and events from around the globe. BlackSky is trusted by the most demanding allied military and intelligence organizations and commercial companies to deliver foresight into critical matters that affect national security and the economy. BlackSky’s data enables governments and businesses to see, understand and anticipate change as it happens, giving them the ultimate strategic advantage so they can act quickly. Our global team works with cutting-edge technology to make a difference around the world and prides itself on being people-first, customer-focused and fun.
We are seeking a skilled and driven proposal and technical writer to lead the creation of compelling, compliant customer facing proposals, white papers, etc. and support capture efforts that expand BlackSky’s footprint across defense and intelligence customers around the globe. This role is critical in shaping high-quality responses to solicitations and ensuring disciplined capture management throughout the sales and business development lifecycle. This role is part of our Go to Market team and reports to the Senior Vice President, Marketing and Go to Market. While we would love candidates near either our Herndon, VA or Seattle, WA offices we may also consider remote candidates in certain states.
Responsibilities:
- Serve as the lead writer, editor and content developer for proposals, white papers and solicitations.
- Translate complex technical and analytics concepts into clear capabilities and benefits statements.
- Craft persuasive narratives tailored to customer mission needs.
- Support proposal manager in the coordination and consolidation of cross-functional inputs from technical, product, program, marketing and executive teams.
- Ensure consistent messaging, style and compliance across all submissions.
- Develop technical summaries, past performance, compliance matrices and executive ready content.
- Maintain disciplined processes around proposal schedules, submission status and compliance reviews.
- Identify process improvements to strengthen pipeline health and win rates.
- Other job-related duties as assigned and as proposal pipeline fluctuates. Additional writing duties may include supporting technical software or developer documentation, user guides, specifications, research papers or marketing content.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, or related fields.
- At least eight (8) years of proven experience with technical writing and supporting government proposals.
- Strong writing, editing and formatting skills with proven ability to produce clear, persuasive content under tight deadlines.
- Experience in government proposals (DoD/MoD, IC, NASA, or Federal Civilian): Familiarity with FAR/DFARS and proposal compliance frameworks.
- Knowledge of Shipley or APMP best practices: Ability to align writing with industry-standard capture/proposal methodologies.
- Graphics and visual storytelling: Ability to collaborate with designers or use tools (e.g., Visio, PowerPoint, Canva) to create compelling visuals, annotated figures, or infographics for proposals.
- Strong research and analytical skills.
- Ability to discern priorities and deliver on deadlines.
- Excellent technical writing and verbal communication skills, high attention to detail.
- Ability to quickly grasp complex technical concepts and make them easily understandable in text.
- Process improvement mindset: Ability to suggest templates, style guides, or reusable boilerplate libraries to accelerate proposal turnaround.
- Experience leading proposals for U.S government, defense, intelligence or allied customers.
- Ability to work effectively with technical experts to translate complex geospatial and analytic capabilities into compelling value propositions.
- Strong working knowledge of MS Office.
Preferred Qualifications:
- APMP certification (Foundation or Practitioner).
- Background in aerospace, defense, or intelligence proposals.
- Experience contributing to oral proposals (slide decks, speaker notes, rehearsals).
- Previous experience working with colleagues in multiple time zones.
- Prior experience working with systems integration projects.
- Previous software development experience.
- Hold an active secret clearance (or higher).
Life at BlackSky for full-time benefits eligible employees includes:
- Medical, dental, vision, disability, group term life and AD&D, voluntary life and AD&D insurance
- BlackSky pays 100% of employee-only premiums for medical, dental and vision and contributes $100/month for out-of-pocket expenses!
- 15 days of PTO, 11 Company holidays, four Floating Holidays (pro-rated based on hire date), one day of paid volunteerism leave per year, parental leave and more
- 401(k) pre-tax and Roth deferral options with employer match
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Employee Stock Purchase Program
- Employee Assistance and Travel Assistance Programs
- Employer matching donations
- Professional development
- Mac or PC? Your choice!
- Awesome swag
The anticipated salary range for candidates in Seattle, WA is $115,000-137,000 per year. The final compensation package offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on specific background and education. BlackSky is a multi-state employer, and this pay scale may not reflect salary ranges in other states or locations outside of Seattle, WA.
BlackSky is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer All Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
EEO/AAP/ Pay Transparency Statements: https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/OFCCP_EEO_Supplement_Final_JRF_QA_508c.pdf
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