Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Proposal Lead and Writer (Proposal Specialist IV)
at AECOM
🏢 About AECOM
AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm that stands out for its commitment to sustainable development and innovative solutions across transportation, water, energy, and environmental projects. Working here means contributing to legacy-building projects that shape communities while being part of a Fortune 500 company with a strong federal contracting presence.
About This Role
As a Senior Proposal Lead and Writer at AECOM, you'll spearhead high-stakes federal proposals from capture through interview stages, managing complex multi-disciplinary pursuits across geographies. This role directly impacts AECOM's revenue pipeline by leading must-win opportunities and ensuring proposal quality, compliance, and strategic alignment with client needs.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day involves leading proposal strategy sessions with technical teams, developing compliance matrices for federal RFPs, writing executive summaries and management approaches, and facilitating color team reviews. You'll coordinate with subject matter experts across disciplines while ensuring all proposal elements align with win themes and client requirements.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who AECOM Is Looking For
- Has 5+ years of hands-on experience with US Federal proposal writing (DoD, DOT, EPA, etc.) with proven success on $50M+ pursuits
- Demonstrates leadership in guiding cross-functional teams through pre-RFP positioning, color reviews, and Go/No-Go decisions
- Shows expertise in analyzing debriefs and applying lessons learned to continuously improve win rates
- Possesses creative design thinking for proposal development while maintaining strict compliance with federal requirements
📝 Tips for Applying to AECOM
Quantify your federal proposal experience - specify agency names, contract values, and win rates rather than just listing responsibilities
Highlight experience with AECOM's key federal clients (like USACE, FAA, or DOE) or similar infrastructure-focused agencies
Include specific examples of how you've applied lessons learned from debriefs to improve subsequent proposals
Demonstrate your understanding of sustainable infrastructure by referencing AECOM's project portfolio in your application materials
Showcase leadership in complex pursuits by describing how you've coordinated multiple disciplines/geographies in past proposals
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your specific experience with US Federal proposal compliance requirements and successful track record', 'Examples of leading large, complex pursuits from capture through interview stages', "How you've contributed to win strategy development and applied lessons learned from debriefs", "Alignment with AECOM's focus on sustainable infrastructure and innovative solutions"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → AECOM's recent federal contract wins and key agency relationships (check SAM.gov and recent press releases)
- → The company's Sustainable Legacies strategy and how it applies to federal projects
- → AECOM's major infrastructure project portfolio, particularly in transportation, water, and environmental sectors
- → The structure of AECOM's federal business unit and recent organizational changes
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Generic proposal experience without specific federal agency examples or compliance focus
- Failing to demonstrate understanding of the full proposal lifecycle from capture through interview
- Overlooking AECOM's sustainability focus and how it applies to federal proposal development
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!