US Legal Counsel

Scope:

We are seeking an experienced attorney with specialized expertise in government contracting and compliance to join our team in Virginia.

The successful candidate will be responsible for advising on matters related to business contracts with U.S. government customers, partners and channels, and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and related regulations for matrixed organizations operating globally.

This position requires strong knowledge in public sector and defense contracting, and experience with the regulatory frameworks that govern them.

Location: US Office – McLean, VA, USA

 
Reports to: VP Legal & General Counsel

Key Responsibilities:

Regulatory Compliance: Ensure organizational compliance with ITAR, EAR, FAR, and DFARS regulations and advise internal stakeholders on export control laws.
Contract Review & Negotiation: Draft, review, and negotiate government and commercial contracts and bid documents, including RFPs and RFIs, teaming agreements, statements of work (SOW), contract amendments, license agreements, distribution and reseller agreements, subcontracts, NDAs, and terms that involve FAR or FAR supplement      clauses and compliance with federal, state, and local procurement policies.
Risk Management: Conduct risk assessments for federal projects and manage compliance risks related to ITAR, EAR,  FAR, and DFARS requirements.
Policy Development: Establish, update, and implement corporate policies related to ITAR, EAR, FAR, and DFARS compliance. Train staff on compliance policies and government contracting procedures.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with the legal, operations, and compliance teams, as well as with external counsel and government agencies, to ensure all government projects align with regulatory requirements.
Legal Research: Stay updated on changes in relevant laws and regulations and assess how they may impact the organization.
Reporting & Documentation: Prepare and submit required reports to regulatory bodies and ensure all contracts and agreements are documented and archived as per regulatory requirements.
Business Acumen: Provide counsel and guidance for the accomplishment of overall business objectives of the company, while fully complying with applicable laws and regulations and avoiding unacceptable risks by providing informed cost-benefit analysis when identifying risks. This includes supporting the business and product development processes by providing key inputs and advice on legal risks and issues, prioritizing risks and ensuring compliance with government and customer-imposed requirements. Candidates should have experience approaching legal matters with a sense of pragmatism and flexibility to recommend solutions that enable our company’s success while protecting its legacy and future. Candidates should also have prior experience developing and administering legal and compliance programs for sales-focused organizations.
Background Check Requirement: Candidate must successfully pass a background check prior to employment, which may include verification of education, employment history, criminal history, and security clearance eligibility in accordance with applicable laws and government requirements.

Desired Skills/Qualifications:

Requires a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
Admission to the Bar of at least one state is required.
5+ years of experience in public sector and/or government contracting, regulatory compliance, or corporate law, preferably in the defense or aerospace or government information and communications technology sector.
In-depth knowledge of ITAR, EAR,  FAR, and DFARS regulations, including experience with defense procurement processes and export control compliance.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex legal information clearly to non-legal stakeholders.
Must be a U.S. citizen with the ability to obtain necessary security clearance as required by government contract.