Proposal Specialist

Building on more than five decades of trusted Canadian defense delivery and prime contractor execution from MDA Space, 49North offers engineering discipline, operational reliability and mission assurance to large, mission critical programs, including integrated advanced sensing technologies, autonomous systems, secure digital mission systems, defense qualified electronics and long term sustainment and in service support for platforms across land, air, maritime and joint domains.

The Position

We are seeking a highly capable Proposal Specialist  to serve as a bridge between engineering, product management, and business development. This role is outward-facing by design, with a primary focus on  proposal development, product positioning, and capture support , complemented by the creation of high-quality technical documentation.

The ideal candidate is comfortable operating at the intersection of  complex defense technologies, customer requirements, and commercial strategy . This role is critical to translating technical capability into compelling, credible, and competitive external-facing material for government and allied defense customers.

Key Responsibilities  

1. Proposal Development & Capture Support (Primary Focus) 

• Lead and support the development of technical content for:




• RFP responses, RFIs, and white papers


• Concept of Operations (CONOPS)


• Technical volumes and solution architectures


• Compliance matrices and requirement traceability


• Translate complex technical solutions into clear, persuasive, and customer-aligned narratives.


• Work closely with engineering, systems architects, and solution leads to:




• Shape solution descriptions


• Articulate integration approaches


• Define technical differentiators


• Ensure proposal content is coherent, structured, and aligned with win themes, value propositions, and evaluation criteria.


• Support bid strategy, storyboarding, and solution framing.

2. Product Management Enablement  

• Partner with Product Management to:




• Develop outward-facing product descriptions, datasheets, capability briefs, and solution one-pagers


• Support articulation of roadmaps, value propositions, and use cases


• Translate technical features into operational outcomes and customer benefits


• Help shape product messaging for:




• Defense enterprise solutions


• ISR, C2, digital backbone, integration platforms


• Support development of product narratives that align to government priorities (e.g., sovereignty, interoperability, security, lifecycle cost).

3. Business Development & Customer-Facing Material  

• Develop and maintain outward-facing technical collateral including:




• Capability decks


• Solution briefs


• Customer-facing architecture diagrams


• Executive summaries and leave-behind material


• Support BD teams with:




• Customer briefings


• Industry day presentations


• Partner engagement material


• Tailor messaging for different audiences:




• Technical authorities


• Procurement and contracting


• Senior defence leadership


• International partners

4. Technical Documentation (Secondary Focus) 

• Produce and maintain high-quality technical documentation including:




• System descriptions


• Interface control documents (ICDs)


• Architecture overviews


• Technical concept documents


• Ensure documentation is:




• Clear, accurate, and structured


• Aligned with product strategy and proposal narratives


• Create reusable technical content that can be leveraged across proposals, product materials, and customer communications.

Required Qualifications  

• 5+ years of experience in technical writing, solution engineering support, or proposal development in defense, aerospace, or complex technology domains


• Demonstrated experience writing:




• RFP responses / proposals


• Technical solution narratives


• Customer-facing technical content


• Strong ability to understand and synthesize complex systems including:




• Systems integration


• C2 / ISR


• Training and simulation


• Digital platforms / enterprise systems


• Enterprise infrastructure


• Experience working cross-functionally with:




• Engineering and Operations


• Program and Product management


• Business development / capture teams


• Exceptional written communication skills with the ability to:




• Write clearly for technical and executive audiences


• Structure complex narratives


• Distill technical complexity into customer value


• Ability to work with classified or sensitive material (or eligibility for security clearance)

What Success Looks Like in This Role  

• Proposals are clearer, more compelling, and more competitive


• Product messaging is consistent, credible, and aligned to customer needs


• Technical teams see their work accurately reflected in external-facing material


• BD teams rely on this role as a core partner in shaping win strategies


• Leadership trusts this role to “translate” between engineering depth and executive decision-making

Comments/Special Considerations:  

Successful candidates must obtain and hold security clearance at the  SECRET status level , and pass security assessment for the  Controlled Goods Program (CGP) .  

We’re a dream team of purpose-driven, collaborative and passionate people, and we are constantly looking for others to join #TeamMDASPACE to ignite new and innovative approaches to problem-solving that push us forward to improve life on and above Earth. If you’re excited to expand our place in space and driven to inspire the next generation, we’ll take you there.   

We have entered a new era of exploration and development, and MDA welcomes all who yearn to suit up and be part of it. An equal opportunity employer prizing diversity, integrity and collaboration, we are committed to growing MDA Space and Canada’s leadership in this next golden age.   

MDA Space provides competitive compensation and benefits packages for its employees at all locations. As a team member of MDA Space, you and your qualified dependents are eligible to participate in a benefit plan that ensures a comprehensive level of protection through competitive health care including; extended healthcare and flexible drug plans, dental and vision benefits, disability income protection, life insurance, group retirement savings plans; and an employee and family assistance program.   

MDA Space is proud to provide accommodation(s) during the recruitment process.  Should you require any accommodations, please indicate this on your application/cover letter and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.  

  The compensation range for this position is $85 000 - $105 000 annually. The specific compensation offered will be based on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.