Associate General Counsel - Space & Defense Group

Moog Inc; United States; Hybrid; USD 225,000 - 265,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus opportunities

Matching 401k

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (select)*

Flexible Spending and Health Savings

Flexible paid time off

Job summary

Moog is seeking an Associate General Counsel to support the Space & Defense Group. You will provide full legal support to SDG, report to the General Counsel, and help align legal strategy with business objectives in a regulated environment.

The role requires JD, US bar, 10+ years of legal experience including in-house work, and experience with government contracting. You will partner with leadership across programs, contracts, and governance to enable growth while mitigating risk.

Qualifications

• JD and bar admission in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 10+ years of legal experience, 5+ years in senior in-house role.
• Ability to develop and implement effective legal and business strategies.
• Experience with U.S. government contracting and procurement.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive legal support and advise on compliance with laws and regulations.
• Collaborate with leadership to develop and implement business and legal strategies.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to enhance functional excellence.
• Lead negotiations for major agreements and major programs.
• Support SDG in resolving disputes and claims.
• Coordinate with corporate and group leadership on strategic initiatives.

Skills

Strategic legal counsel

Regulatory compliance

Contract negotiation

Stakeholder collaboration

US Government contracts

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) degree

Active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction

Job description

Job Title & Reporting

Associate General Counsel – Space & Defense Group

Reporting To: SVP, General Counsel

Location & Work Schedule

Hybrid – Buffalo, NY

Job Description

Moog is looking for Associate General Counsel to support our Space & Defense Operating Group. In this role, you will be responsible for providing full legal support to Space & Defense Group (SDG). Reporting to Moog’s General Counsel, you will play a key role in developing business and legal strategies, enabling growth, and mitigating legal and commercial risks in a highly regulated customer environment. You will provide strategic legal counsel across SDG’s space and defense portfolios, including U.S. Government programs at multiple tiers and commercial programs, spanning space systems and exploration. As Associate General Counsel, you will be a trusted advisor and business partner to SDG Executive Leadership, translating complex legal and regulatory considerations into clear options and recommendations that enable timely, well-informed decisions. In partnership with SDG cross-functional stakeholders, you will align legal strategy with SDG business objectives, support consistent approaches on major agreements, and coordinate broader alignment when matters span multiple operating groups or have enterprise-wide impact.

Qualifications

• The ideal candidate will live local to Buffalo, NY to work onsite at our East Aurora facility, however a hybrid-travel work situation may be considered for the right candidate.
• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school with active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• A minimum of 10 years of legal experience, with over five (5) years in a senior in-house role with a large corporation or at a large law firm.
• Ability to develop and implement effective legal and business strategies and partnerships.
• Proven track record of working with stakeholders across the organization to resolve matters and implement initiatives.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build trusted strategic relationships.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities with the ability to assess complex legal issues and provide practical, business‑oriented solutions.
• Experience in complex business and contract negotiation, including IP agreements.
• Experience in U.S. government contracting and procurement processes.
• Experience in identifying and mitigating legal and business risks.
• Must meet facility and program access requirements, including U.S. Person status, and be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance if required by program needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive legal support and advise on compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and customer requirements.
• Collaborate with leadership to develop and implement business and legal strategies.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to enhance functional excellence.
• Foster a collaborative environment as you engage with other legal professionals.
• Contribute to strategic legal plans and decision‑making processes.
• Develop trusted relationships with leadership.
• Formulate tactics and strategies to advance group goals.
• Bring industry expertise to support strategic business objectives.
• Influence P&Ls through creative legal solutions and decisions.
• Mitigate and eliminate risks with substantial monetary implications.
• Coordinate with the Corporate Legal leadership team and other Operating Group Contracts leadership as appropriate.
• Collaborate with Group Leadership (Programs, Contracts, etc.) on negotiations with external parties as appropriate.
• Negotiate agreements with external parties.
• Lead legal strategy and negotiations for SDG major agreements and other matters with heightened risk, complexity, or enterprise scope, in partnership with SDG Contracts and cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Support SDG in resolving litigation, disputes and claims.
• Support the Legal Department in implementing new programs and initiatives across the organization.

Benefits & Compensation

How We Care For You:

• Financial Rewards: great compensation package, bonus opportunities, matching 401k, and the ability to participate in Employee Stock Purchase Plan (select locations), Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
• Work/Life Balance: Flexible paid time off, holidays and parental leave program.
• Health & Welfare: Comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, Employee Assistance Plan (“EAP”) and other supplemental benefit coverages.
• Professional Skills Development: Tuition Assistance, mentorship and coaching opportunities, leadership development and other personal growth programs.
• Culture: Warm, respectful, family-like environment driven by our 12 core values. Multiple Employee Resource Groups led by our employees, open and welcoming to all.

Salary

Salary Range Transparency: Buffalo, NY $225,000.00–$265,000.00 Annually

Salary Range Disclaimer The base salary range represents the low and high end of the Moog salary range for this position in the given work location. Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. The range(s) listed is just one component of Moog's total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, employee stock purchase plan, an open paid time off policy, and many region‑specific benefits.

Security Clearance

This position requires access to U.S. export‑controlled information.

EEO and Diversity

Moog offers an inclusive workplace, and, as such, affirms the right of every person to participate in all aspects of employment based on merit without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.