Associate General Counsel, Legal

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as the enterprise authority and senior legal strategist for ITAR compliance matters, directing complex classification, licensing, and jurisdictional determinations under the USML while shaping company-wide export control policy and regulatory risk management strategy.
• Lead and mentor a high-performing team of legal and compliance professionals, establishing strategic direction, driving organizational capability development, and fostering enterprise-wide expertise in export controls and regulatory compliance.
• Provide strategic legal advice to engineering, program management, supply chain, and business teams regarding ITAR-controlled technologies
• Draft, review, and negotiate export-related agreements, including Technical Assistance Agreements (TAAs), Manufacturing License Agreements (MLAs), and nondisclosure agreements involving controlled technical data
• Provide strategic oversight and expert legal counsel on export licensing, reexports, and deemed exports under ITAR, guiding complex regulatory decisions and ensuring enterprise-wide compliance with U.S. export control requirements.
• Serve as the company’s senior representative and trusted advisor to the U.S. Department of State (DDTC), leading high-impact regulatory interpretations, disclosures, authorizations, and strategic engagement on complex export control matters affecting enterprise operations and compliance posture.
• Collaborate with compliance, engineering, and IT to strengthen data management and technology control plans
• Direct enterprise-wide ITAR audit, investigation, and voluntary disclosure activities, leading complex compliance reviews, risk assessments, and remediation strategies while advising senior leadership on regulatory exposure and corrective actions. Develop and deliver training to business units and leadership on ITAR obligations and regulatory updates
• Monitor and interpret regulatory developments impacting Coherent’ s ITAR-controlled products and operations
• Provide strategic oversight of defense contracts counsels and serve as the enterprise authority on DFARS and related federal acquisitions regulations, guiding complex contractual, regulatory, and compliance matters across defense-related programs and operations.
• Oversee all legal and compliance requirements for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certificate (CMMC) efforts across the company with regard to level 1 and level 2.
• Collaborate closely with IT and business units to ensure compliance with CMMC
• Provide training on CMMC to key stakeholders.
• Proven experience leading and developing high-performing legal and compliance teams, driving strategic initiatives, organizational effectiveness, and enterprise-wide regulatory compliance excellence.

Education & Experience

• BA or BS in business or related field preferred; experience in ITAR and CMMC as well as DFARs.
• Juris Doctorate
• 15 years legal experience
• Experience working in a public company in the defense or related sector preferred

Skills

• Leadership capabilities to xxxx
• Strong interpersonal, teaming, and problem-solving skills.
• Work effectively with other members of Coherent Corp. xxxxx.

Working Conditions

• Advanced knowledge of international trade regulations including ITAR, CMMC, EAR, etc.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both oral and written  
• Individual must possess strong organizational, multitasking, and problem-solving skills and maintain flexibility in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment
• Customer service oriented with both internal and external customers
• Individual must be proficient with Microsoft Office products & a PC based environment
• Understanding of DDTC system and U.S. government licensing systems
• Experience with Denied Party screening systems
• Interact and communicate effectively with others and manage multiple tasks simultaneously

Physical Requirements

• Onsite / Hybrid 
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust

Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome

Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone

Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

About UsCoherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!
Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.