Overview As Legal Counsel-International, you guide international government and commercial contracts in defense tech. You will support the Global Defense Team across APAC and the Americas, shaping deal structures and compliance for cross-border procurements. You drive strategic contract negotiations, licensing, and IP matters that enable deployment of cutting-edge technology to allies. This role offers ownership on significant projects in a fast-growing, collaborative legal team. You contribute to a mission-driven company at the forefront of defense trade.
Compensation / Benefits- highly competitive equity grants
- comprehensive benefits package
- health and recovery support
- opportunities for ownership and professional growth
- salary range aligned with experience
Responsibilities- Drive international contract execution and growth for new and existing agreements
- Support BD, Proposal, and Engineering teams with international defense contracting strategies
- Develop and manage relationships with foreign defense ministries and procurement offices
- Oversee acquisitions lifecycle, negotiations, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance
- Advise on license, hardware, services, offsets, IP, data rights, and compliance matters
- Collaborate with International Trade Compliance to align deal structures with ITAR, EAR, and sanctions
- Structure international terms including governing law, arbitration, sovereign immunity waivers, and Incoterms
- Negotiate offset and industrial cooperation obligations in markets with mandates
Key requirements- 3+ years in international government contracts, defense trade, or U.S. government matters
- Understanding of FMS, DCS, or hybrid contract structures, software acquisition, and data rights
- Ability to manage multiple complex projects with risk-adjusted decisions
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Quick learner willing to contribute to broader start-up-like legal functions
- Licensed to practice law in CA
- U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain/maintain a security clearance
- strong communication
- ownership and initiative
- collaborative mindset
- international defense trade
- FMS and DCS
- hybrid contract structures
