Government Programs & Proposal Lead

About the role

Terranova is seeking a leader to transform our advanced robotic systems into funded government initiatives. You will guide the entire proposal lifecycle, from identifying opportunities to securing contracts. This role involves close collaboration with our technical teams and external partners to craft compelling submissions for federal programs.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Find and assess government funding, contracting, and partnership opportunities that align with Terranova's technology and mission.
• Manage the full proposal development process, including timelines, compliance checks, writing assignments, and reviews.
• Lead submissions for various federal vehicles like CSOs, BAAs, OTAs, SBIR/STTR programs, grants, and full technical proposals.
• Translate complex engineering, robotics, and field data into clear, mission-focused narratives.
• Partner with technical and operations teams to define project scope, objectives, milestones, budgets, and staffing plans.
• Create strong arguments for why Terranova's technology addresses critical government needs and deserves funding.
• Ensure all submissions meet solicitation requirements, evaluation criteria, and formatting rules.
• Coordinate input from engineers, founders, customers, and external collaborators.
• Support government pitches, technical evaluations, site demonstrations, and contract negotiations.
• Develop agency-specific concepts and materials to influence customer thinking before formal solicitations.
• Build Terranova's government opportunity pipeline, proposal calendar, and submission processes.
• Track submitted opportunities, agency feedback, and pathways for future deployment.

Requirements

• Exceptional technical writing, strategic thinking, and attention to detail.
• Experience leading federal government proposals or complex technical submissions from start to finish.
• Ability to quickly grasp complex engineering concepts and translate them into persuasive arguments for diverse audiences.
• Strong project management skills to guide multiple contributors toward strict deadlines.
• Experience developing project scopes, work plans, milestones, budgets, and deliverables with technical teams.
• Comfort working directly with founders, engineers, field operators, government customers, and external partners.
• Ability to distinguish a technically interesting idea from a fundable government program with a clear mission, plan, and measurable outcome.
• Willingness to work on-site in Berkeley, CA.
• U.S. work authorization. H-1B visa sponsorship is not available.

Nice to have

• Experience with CSOs, BAAs, OTAs, SBIR/STTR programs, DARPA, or USACE solicitations.
• Working knowledge of FAR/DFARS requirements and federal contracting processes.
• Background in defense, civil works, infrastructure, robotics, aerospace, climate resilience, or construction technology.
• Experience securing government contracts or grants for an early-stage technology company.
• Familiarity with firm-fixed-price contracts, cost proposals, and subcontractor coordination.
• Existing relationships within DoD, USACE, DARPA, DOE, FEMA, or national laboratories.
• Experience building a proposal or government business development function from scratch.

Skills & tools

• Technical writing
• Project management
• Strategic planning
• Proposal development
• Budgeting
• Contract negotiation

Practical notes

This role requires on-site work in Berkeley, CA. Candidates must have U.S. work authorization; H-1B visa sponsorship is not offered.