Proposal Visual Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Proposal Visual Designer

Company: Peraton

Location: United States (Hybrid)

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative & Design / Proposal Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-27

Experience Level: 5-10 Years Professional Experience

Remote Status: Hybrid (On-site presence required in Reston/Herndon, VA for critical proposal phases)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive visual strategy and storytelling for federal government proposal pursuits, translating complex technical concepts into compelling narratives.

• Craft high-impact graphics, infographics, and diagrams that clearly articulate win themes, benefits, and proof points for government submissions.

• Collaborate with technical experts, writers, and proposal managers to ensure visual consistency and persuasive communication across all collateral.

• Design visually engaging presentations, executive briefings, and internal communications, leveraging advanced design tools and AI-assisted technologies.

• Maintain brand integrity and apply established standards across a diverse range of deliverables, from proposals to SharePoint intranet content.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is situated at the intersection of creative design and strategic proposal operations within the federal government sector. The emphasis on "proposal visual strategy," "storytelling framework," and translating "complex technical and business concepts" indicates a need for a designer who can think strategically and contribute to the win probability of bids, not just execute on design tasks. The requirement for on-site presence during critical phases highlights the high-stakes nature of proposal work.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Partner in defining and shaping the visual direction, layout approach, and storytelling framework for federal government pursuits and submissions.

• Lead visual storytelling efforts by translating complex technical and business concepts into clear, compelling visual narratives that resonate with government evaluators.

• Design high-impact proposal graphics, infographics, and diagrams, with a focus on key strategic deliverables such as concepts of operations, value propositions, transition/transformation approaches, and organization charts.

• Collaborate closely with strategists, proposal writers, capture teams, subject matter experts (SMEs), and other stakeholders to ensure accuracy and persuasive impact.

• Design visually compelling presentations, executive briefings, and other storytelling materials for various stakeholders, including senior leadership and government clients.

• Support internal communications by designing and maintaining content on the company's SharePoint intranet.

• Develop a range of collateral materials, including brochures, one-pagers, leave-behinds, and event materials, ensuring brand consistency.

• Apply and maintain Peraton's brand standards rigorously across all visual deliverables.

• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, adapting to shifting priorities and meeting tight deadlines in a fast-paced proposal environment.

• Leverage AI-assisted tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot, Claude, ChatGPT) to enhance ideation, efficiency, and design workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a need for a designer who can function as a visual strategist and a key contributor to the proposal lifecycle. The emphasis on "concepts of operations," "value propositions," and "transition/transformation approaches" suggests the need for understanding government contracting nuances and the ability to visualize complex service offerings. The inclusion of AI tools signifies a forward-thinking approach to design processes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, or a related field with five (5) years of professional experience; OR

• High school diploma/equivalent and nine (9) years of professional experience. Experience:

• Demonstrated professional experience in visual design, graphic design, presentation design, or a related discipline, with a strong focus on translating complex information into clear visual communications.

• Proven experience in government proposal development, understanding government-supplied layout, design requirements, and specifications.

• Experience working within capture or business development environments, understanding the strategic importance of visual communication in winning bids. Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in design platforms: Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop) and Figma (Design and FigJam).

• Advanced Microsoft PowerPoint design skills: Including template creation, animation, and transition design for impactful presentations.

• Experience designing and maintaining content in Microsoft SharePoint: Essential for internal communications and proposal document structures.

• Ability to leverage AI tools: Such as Microsoft Copilot, Claude, and ChatGPT in the ideation and design process.

• Strong collaboration and stakeholder communication skills: Ability to work effectively with diverse teams, including technical SMEs, writers, and leadership.

• Proven ability to translate complex content: Effectively communicate intricate technical and business concepts visually.

• Demonstrated portfolio: Showcasing proposal visuals, presentation design, and infographics.

• Strong understanding of brand standards: Ability to apply and maintain brand guidelines consistently.

• Project and deadline management: Ability to manage multiple projects and shifting priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

• Willingness to work onsite: In Herndon & Reston, VA for critical proposal phases, including evenings and weekends as necessary.

• US Citizenship: Required for this role.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience creating oral slide decks for FEDSIM (Federal Systems Integration Management) proposals.

• Experience supporting federal or state government clients.

• Understanding of Design Thinking and human-centered design principles.

• Video, motion graphics, animation, or illustration skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on specific software like Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, and advanced PowerPoint, coupled with SharePoint experience, points towards a need for a versatile designer skilled in both print/digital collateral and presentation development. The requirement for a "strong portfolio demonstrating proposal visuals" is a critical component for demonstrating practical application in a government contracting context. The mention of AI tools indicates a desire for candidates who are adaptable to evolving design technologies.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate visual strategy: Showcase how you've shaped the visual direction and storytelling for complex projects, ideally within a proposal or government context.

• Showcase complex content translation: Include examples where you've taken technical information or abstract concepts and made them visually clear and persuasive (e.g., infographics, process flows, diagrams).

• Presentation design excellence: Provide examples of high-impact presentations, including narrative flow, visual appeal, and effective use of animation/transitions.

• Proposal-specific visuals: Include examples of graphics, diagrams, or layouts specifically created for government proposals or similar bid documents.

• Brand consistency examples: Show how you've applied and maintained brand standards across various deliverables.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow design and optimization: Be prepared to discuss how you approach translating written content into visual assets, your process for collaborating with SMEs, and how you manage feedback loops.

• System implementation standards: Highlight your proficiency in using design software (Adobe CC, Figma) and presentation tools (PowerPoint) to create polished, production-ready assets.

• Measurement and performance analysis: While not directly measurable in a portfolio, be ready to articulate how your visual designs contribute to proposal clarity, persuasiveness, and ultimately, win rates.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Proposal Visual Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It's not just about aesthetics but demonstrating the ability to solve communication problems for a specific audience (federal government evaluators) and purpose (winning bids). The emphasis should be on clarity, persuasiveness, and strategic visual communication, supported by relevant tools and processes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $66,000 - $106,000 per year.

• Note: This is a target salary range provided by Peraton. The actual salary offered will be determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations.

Benefits:

• Employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.

• (Specific benefits are not detailed in the provided text but are typically comprehensive for a company of Peraton's size, likely including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, etc.) Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are assumed to be 40 hours per week.

• Availability to work evenings and weekends is required during critical proposal phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a Visual Designer role with specialized experience in government proposals. The "hybrid" nature, with required on-site presence during critical periods, is a key factor influencing compensation. The mention of potential overtime and bonuses is common in proposal-driven environments where extended hours are often necessary.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: National Security, Information Technology, Government Contracting. Peraton operates at the critical nexus of traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains.

Company Size: Large enterprise (Peraton has thousands of employees). This suggests a structured environment with established processes and significant career opportunities.

Founded: Peraton has a history of growth through acquisitions, operating as a "next-generation national security company."

Team Structure:

• Proposal Operations Focus: The role is embedded within a team that supports federal pursuits, likely involving close collaboration with Proposal Managers, Capture Managers, Technical Writers, SMEs, and other designers.

• Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a Proposal Operations Manager, Creative Director, or similar leadership role within the proposal development or business development function.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: High degree of collaboration with technical experts to understand and visualize complex solutions, and with writers to ensure visual messaging aligns with narrative content.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Visuals: Emphasis on using data and complex information to create persuasive visual arguments.

• Strategic Visual Storytelling: Focus on crafting narratives that highlight win themes, benefits, and proof points for government customers.

• Process Adherence: Strict adherence to brand standards and government proposal requirements is critical.

• Agile/Adaptive Design: Ability to manage multiple projects and adapt to shifting priorities in a deadline-driven environment.

Company Website: https://www.peraton.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Peraton's focus on "national security" and "missions of consequence" implies a culture that values precision, reliability, and strategic impact. For a designer, this means contributing to high-stakes projects where visual clarity and persuasiveness can directly influence mission success and contract awards.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an experienced individual contributor within the proposal development ecosystem. It requires specialized design skills applied strategically to business development and government contracting.

Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a manager within Proposal Operations or Business Development, working closely with proposal teams on a project-by-project basis.

Operations Impact: The Proposal Visual Designer's work directly impacts the persuasiveness and clarity of Peraton's proposals, which is critical for winning government contracts and driving revenue growth. High-quality visuals can differentiate Peraton from competitors and clearly communicate the value of its solutions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in federal proposal design, FEDSIM requirements, or specific visual communication strategies for national security clients.

• Leadership: Transition into a Lead Proposal Visual Designer role, mentoring junior designers, or a Proposal Operations Manager position, overseeing the entire proposal production process.

• Skill Expansion: Develop skills in motion graphics, video production, or advanced UX/UI design for internal platforms, leveraging the company's investment in AI tools.

• Cross-functional Roles: Move into broader marketing or communications roles within Peraton, applying visual design expertise to broader corporate initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for specialization within the government contracting and proposal development space. The company's emphasis on "next-generation" solutions and AI suggests opportunities to stay at the forefront of design technology and its application in high-stakes environments.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. While the role is remote-eligible for some tasks, it requires on-site presence in Reston or Herndon, VA, especially during critical proposal phases. This indicates a blend of remote flexibility with the necessity of in-person collaboration for high-intensity periods.

Office Location(s): Reston, VA and Herndon, VA.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect to work in close proximity with proposal teams, requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills. This likely involves shared workspaces or team war rooms during proposal development cycles.

• Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe CC, Figma) and presentation tools (Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint) will be essential. The company's adoption of AI tools suggests investment in modern design technology.

• Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with technical SMEs, writers, and proposal managers, necessitating clear articulation of design concepts and active listening to technical details.

Work Schedule: Primarily standard business hours, but with significant flexibility required during peak proposal periods, which may include extended hours, evenings, and weekends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Hybrid" designation with mandatory on-site presence during critical phases is crucial. This isn't a fully remote role; it requires a candidate willing and able to be physically present in the Northern Virginia area when proposals are actively being developed and submitted. This on-site requirement is typical for high-stakes proposal efforts where rapid iteration and direct team collaboration are vital.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of resume and portfolio by a recruiter or hiring manager to assess basic qualifications and design experience.

• Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: A deeper dive into the candidate's portfolio, discussing specific projects, design choices, problem-solving approaches, and technical proficiency with design tools. Expect questions about how you translate complex information and manage client feedback.

• Team/Manager Interview: Discussion with the hiring manager and potential team members to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and understanding of the proposal environment. Questions may focus on handling deadlines, working with SMEs, and understanding government proposal nuances.

• Final Interview (Potentially): May involve a senior leader or executive, focusing on strategic alignment and overall contribution to Peraton's mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate the skills required for this role, prioritizing government proposal visuals, complex infographics, and impactful presentations.

• Showcase process: For each project, briefly explain the objective, your role, the challenges, your design process, the tools used, and the outcome or impact. Highlight how you translated complex information.

• Quantify impact (if possible): While difficult for design alone, mention how your visuals contributed to proposal clarity, improved readability, or reinforced win themes.

• Highlight collaboration: Be ready to discuss how you worked with SMEs, writers, and proposal managers, and how you incorporated feedback.

• Demonstrate tool proficiency: Be prepared to speak to your advanced skills in Adobe CC, Figma, PowerPoint, and SharePoint.

• Include proposal-specific examples: If you have direct government proposal experience, make sure those pieces are prominently featured.

Challenge Preparation:

• Visualizing complex concepts: Be ready to be given a hypothetical complex technical concept or service offering and asked to sketch out how you would visually represent it.

• Presentation design exercise: You might be asked to critique an existing presentation and suggest improvements, or to design a few key slides based on provided content.

• Brand application: You may be asked to apply Peraton's brand guidelines to a sample deliverable.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the most critical component of the application. Candidates should treat it as a strategic marketing tool for their design capabilities, specifically tailored to the demands of government proposal development. Demonstrating an understanding of the proposal lifecycle and the unique communication needs of federal clients will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Illustrator (for vector graphics, logos, icons), InDesign (for layout, proposals, brochures), Photoshop (for image editing, manipulation).

• Figma: For collaborative design, prototyping, and potentially UI elements. Experience with both Design and FigJam is noted.

• Microsoft PowerPoint: Advanced skills required for creating dynamic, visually rich presentations, including template design, animations, and transitions.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Microsoft SharePoint: Essential for content management, intranet design, and document collaboration within the proposal process.

CRM & Automation:

• AI-assisted tools: Microsoft Copilot, Claude, ChatGPT for ideation, content generation assistance, and potentially design workflow optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily focused on industry-standard design and presentation software, with a clear emphasis on Microsoft ecosystem tools (PowerPoint, SharePoint) due to the federal government context. The explicit mention of AI tools indicates Peraton's commitment to leveraging emerging technologies for efficiency and innovation in their design processes.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission Focus: A strong emphasis on supporting critical national security missions and contributing to Peraton's success in winning and executing government contracts.

• Precision & Accuracy: High standards for detail and accuracy in all visual representations, given the stakes of government proposals.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Valuing the ability to work effectively within diverse teams, contributing to a shared goal.

• Innovation & Adaptability: Embracing new technologies (like AI tools) and adapting to evolving client needs and proposal requirements.

• Integrity: Upholding ethical standards and maintaining the highest quality in all deliverables.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to integrate seamlessly with technical SMEs, writers, and proposal managers, acting as a bridge between technical content and visual communication.

• Feedback-Driven: Openness to receiving and incorporating feedback from various stakeholders to refine designs and ensure strategic alignment.

• Proactive Communication: Regularly communicating design progress, challenges, and recommendations to ensure projects stay on track and meet objectives.

• Solution-Oriented: Focusing on finding creative and effective visual solutions to complex communication challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely reflects the demands of the government contracting industry: results-oriented, deadline-driven, and highly collaborative. The emphasis on "missions of consequence" suggests a workforce that is dedicated and understands the importance of their contributions to national security.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Highly Technical Content: The primary challenge will be understanding and visually representing complex, often abstract, technical concepts for a government audience.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Balancing the input and expectations of various stakeholders (technical experts, capture managers, proposal managers) while maintaining a cohesive visual strategy.

• Strict Deadlines and High Pressure: Working under intense time constraints during proposal development cycles, often requiring extended hours and weekend work.

• Adhering to Government Specifications: Navigating and complying with specific design requirements and formatting guidelines often mandated by government solicitations.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Proposal Design Training: Opportunities to deepen knowledge of government proposal requirements, FEDSIM standards, and effective visual communication strategies for federal clients.

• Advanced Tool Proficiency: Training and exposure to new features in Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, and emerging AI design tools.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced proposal professionals, including senior designers, proposal managers, and capture specialists.

• Broader Design Exposure: Potential to contribute to other marketing and communications collateral, expanding the designer's portfolio and skill set beyond proposals.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique challenge in applying creative design skills to a high-stakes, mission-critical environment. The growth opportunities are tied to becoming an expert in a specialized niche within the broader design and government contracting industries.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate a highly technical or complex concept into a visual representation for a non-technical audience. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your problem-solving approach and ability to simplify complexity.)

• "How do you ensure your visual designs align with a proposal's win themes and strategic objectives?" (Demonstrate strategic thinking beyond just aesthetics.)

• "Walk me through your process for creating a key graphic for a government proposal, from receiving the content to final delivery." (Highlight your workflow, collaboration, and quality control.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Peraton and its role in national security?" (Show you've researched the company and understand its mission.)

• "How do you handle feedback from multiple stakeholders, especially when there are conflicting opinions?" (Assess your collaboration and negotiation skills.)

• "Describe your experience working under tight deadlines in a proposal environment. How do you manage pressure and prioritize tasks?" (Evaluate your ability to perform in a high-stakes setting.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a story for each piece: Don't just show the image; explain the context, the challenge, your solution, and the impact.

• Highlight proposal relevance: If you have proposal experience, explicitly point out those pieces and explain how they contributed to the bid's success.

• Demonstrate tool mastery: Be prepared to discuss your proficiency in Adobe CC, Figma, and PowerPoint, and how you use them to achieve specific design outcomes.

• Showcase versatility: Include examples of infographics, diagrams, presentations, and collateral to demonstrate a broad range of skills.

• Be ready for critiques: Understand that interviewers may ask for your thoughts on existing designs or suggest improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on bridging the gap between pure design skills and the specific demands of government proposal operations. Candidates need to articulate not just how they design, but why their designs are effective in winning business for a company like Peraton.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Proposal Visual Designer position:

• Submit your application: Through the Peraton careers portal link provided.

• Curate your portfolio: Select 3-5 of your most relevant projects that showcase your ability to create impactful visuals for complex technical content, government proposals, and presentations. Ensure it's easily accessible (e.g., a professional website or PDF).

• Tailor your resume: Highlight experience in graphic design, proposal development, presentation design, Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and any experience with AI design tools. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare for your portfolio review: Be ready to walk through your selected projects, explaining your process, role, challenges, and outcomes, with a focus on how your visuals contributed to strategic goals.

• Research Peraton: Understand the company's mission, its role in national security, and its typical government clients to better articulate your fit during interviews.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.