Associate General Counsel

PDW; United States; On-site; USD 160,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

401(k) plan

Parental leave

On-site gym

Life insurance

EAP

PTO & flexible leave

Job summary

PDW is expanding its Denver engineering center and seeks an experienced Associate General Counsel to guide global operations, ensure compliance, and enable scalable growth. The role partners with engineering, product, finance, HR, and security to identify legal risks and provide strategic counsel on government contracting, IP, and regulatory matters.

The candidate will manage U.S. government and commercial contracts, while ensuring robust risk management and cross-functional collaboration in a

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school is required.
• 5+ years of legal experience, including in-house or at a top law firm.
• Active membership in at least one U.S. state bar; eligibility for security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Review and negotiate US and foreign government contracts for PDW.
• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements (NDAs, vendor, reseller, partnership, customer contracts).
• Support business development with risk management strategies and asset acquisition structures.
• Provide counsel on IP protection, licensing, and open-source usage.
• Advise leadership on complex legal/regulatory issues and stay ahead of evolving laws.

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Regulatory compliance

Education

J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Performance Drone Works (PDW) is building the next generation of tactical robotic systems used across defense, national security, and public safety missions. As we expand into Denver, we are building a new center of engineering excellence to design our new category of tactical robotic systems and the industrial capacity to deliver them, bringing decisive airpower into the hands of every operator. We are not here to make promises; we are here to deliver real systems with real capabilities for real missions.

You will join a team of operators, engineers, and builders who solve hard problems with humility and focus. We design and produce multi-mission aerial systems that operators trust to perform in real-world conditions, reliably, repeatedly, and at scale. Our approach is grounded in operator-centered design, rapid iteration from field use, and U.S.-based manufacturing. We operate by a clear set of values: Mission First, Aim Farther, Own It, Win Together. This is how we build advantage and how we help protect our service members, our communities, and our country.

Now, we’re entering a new phase of growth and are looking for an experienced Associate General Counsel. The successful candidate will play a critical role in guiding the company’s global operations, ensuring legal compliance, mitigating risks, and enabling the business to scale quickly and responsibly.

What You’ll Do

• Review, support and negotiate a variety of U.S. Government and foreign Government contracts in support of PDW’s mission.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of commercial agreements, including NDAs, vendor, reseller, partnership, and customer contracts.
• Support business development and product teams with asset acquisition structures and risk management strategies.
• Provide counsel on intellectual property protection, licensing, open-source software usage, and technology transfer.
• Partner with cross-functional teams (engineering, product, finance, HR, security) to identify and mitigate legal risks.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on complex legal and regulatory issues.
• Stay ahead of evolving laws and regulations impacting the technology sector, including AI, data security, and global trade.
• Possess the mental agility to pivot into new areas of practice when needed.

Requirements

• J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school and active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.
• 5+ years of legal experience, including in-house counsel experience at a technology company, government agency or top law firm.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance or higher, as required.

Preferred

• Expertise in Government and commercial contracting, and acquisition, fiscal law, administrative law, investigations, and regulatory compliance, with an emphasis on Government contracting and acquisition law.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills, with a practical, solutions-oriented approach.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, innovative, and rapidly evolving environment.
• Proficiency in MS Office tools.
• Ability to travel up to 20%.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Ability to sit, stand, bend, reach, and move about regularly throughout the day and lift/carry up to 25 pounds. Must have manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment such as computers, printers, and phones. Must be physically capable of walking between the office and production areas and attending events or meetings off-site as needed.

Work Environment

This position typically operates in a standard office and manufacturing environment. This role requires use of standard engineering and manufacturing equipment and may require occasional travel to customer locations or facilities. This position may have exposure to outdoor weather conditions, noise, and non-climate-controlled environments. May require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) depending on the environment. This is a fast-paced work environment and requires cross departmental collaboration with independent and team-based responsibilities. Standard works hours for this position are 8:30am-5:00pm with occasional overtime as operational needs demand.

Benefits

PDW values our team, and we offer a compensation package reflective of your experience and capabilities. Benefits include:

• Comprehensive BCBS medical, dental, and vision coverage; 80% sponsored by the company.
• Safe Harbor 401(K) with company match.
• Paid Parental Leave.
• On-site gym at Huntsville, AL & Denver, CO locations.
• Employer provided life insurance.
• Robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• A work environment that encourages teamwork and innovation.
• Competitive salary, generous paid time off (PTO), and flexible leave options.

EEO Statement

PDW is an equal opportunity employer that upholds all federal and state non-discrimination laws. We ensure a fair and unbiased evaluation for employment for all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, medical condition, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

This position will have an annual salary and benefits. The salary range provided is a guideline rather than a fixed limit. Individual pay is determined by factors including geography, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Equity: Currently P5only

all ENG & Prod

The Pay Range For This Role Is 160,000 - 210,000 USD per year(Remote (United States))