General Counsel @ Aerospace Innovator

Whistler Partners; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 350,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering advanced-technology aerospace organization is seeking a General Counsel who will operate as a core strategic business leader during a phase of rapid innovation, hardware development, and scaling. This role demands strong legal acumen, business instincts, and the ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes. The ideal candidate will have significant executive experience, particularly within a startup or high-growth environment, and will be responsible for guiding the organization’s legal strategy in a fast-paced and changing environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of senior in-house counsel or executive legal/business leadership experience.
• Experience supporting hardware development and complex regulatory environments.
• Proven ability in negotiating and structuring complex agreements.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO and executive team.
• Lead negotiation of complex agreements enabling hardware development.
• Drive enterprise risk strategy across the organization.

Skills

Legal acumen

Business instincts

Problem solving

Communication skills

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Job description

$350,000.00/yr - $400,000.00/yr

Job Overview

A pioneering advanced-technology aerospace organization is seeking a General Counsel who will operate as a core strategic business leader during a phase of rapid innovation, hardware development, and scaling. Working at the intersection of breakthrough engineering and national security, the company needs an executive who brings sharp commercial judgment, startup agility, and the ability to turn complexity into clarity.

The ideal candidate is fearless in the face of ambiguity, relentlessly iterative in solving novel problems, and energized by environments where answers are not yet obvious. They pair strong legal acumen with business instincts, hardware go-to-market insight, and a deep curiosity that drives them to understand new technologies, regulatory frameworks, and strategic landscapes quickly and in depth.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO and executive team, shaping company strategy, operational priorities, and long‑term planning.
• Apply legal, commercial, and regulatory insight to help the organization make fast, informed decisions—balancing risk with speed and opportunity.
• Lead the negotiation and structuring of complex commercial and government agreements that enable hardware development, production, and deployment.
• Build scalable, adaptable frameworks that support high‑velocity hardware go‑to‑market environments with demanding technical, regulatory, and customer requirements.
• Establish and maintain constructive engagement with regulatory agencies and government partners.
• Drive enterprise risk strategy, helping teams identify challenges early and turning constraints into catalysts for better solutions.
• Develop cross‑functional processes, tools, and training that enable the broader organization to operate confidently and compliantly at speed.
• Model and cultivate a culture of fearless experimentation, iterative learning, and first‑principles problem solving across legal, engineering, and business teams.

About You

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.
• Senior in‑house counsel, deputy GC, GC, or executive legal/business leadership experience, ideally within a startup or high‑growth environment.
• Demonstrated ability to function as a business‑first executive, influencing strategy and accelerating execution.
• Experience supporting hardware development and go‑to‑market programs, particularly within technically complex or regulated environments.
• Proven success building scalable systems and leading teams through ambiguous or rapidly evolving conditions.
• Exceptional judgment, communication skills, and a natural tendency to dig deep, ask questions, and iterate toward better solutions.
• A mindset that is both fearless and grounded—comfortable making decisions amid uncertainty while maintaining operational discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with export controls (e.g., ITAR/EAR), aviation or transportation regulatory frameworks, or federal contracting (FAR/DFARS).
• Background in aerospace, defense, industrial technologies, or other advanced hardware sectors.
• Experience standing up or scaling legal and operational infrastructure in fast‑paced, innovation‑heavy environments.

U.S. Export Control Compliance

This position requires access to information and items subject to U.S. export control regulations. Candidates must be a “U.S. person” under applicable definitions or otherwise eligible to obtain required authorizations.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This organization is committed to equal employment opportunity. All employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs, without regard to any legally protected status.

Seniority level

Executive

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Legal

Industries

Defense and Space Manufacturing, Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing, and Robotics Engineering