Senior Counsel Defense Contracts

Gateway Recruiting; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Gateway Recruiting is seeking a Senior Counsel Defense Contracts/CUI with deep expertise in U.S. federal government contracting and compliance, notably DFARS, FAR, and CMMC, to support DoD and other federal agencies across the full lifecycle of defense programs.

The ideal candidate will translate complex regulations into practical guidance for business stakeholders, lead cross-functional teams, and help ensure risk-based compliance in a dynamic defense environment.

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited U.S. law school.
• Minimum 7+ years of government contracts and defense compliance experience.
• Deep expertise in FAR/DFARS and regulatory interpretation.
• Experience advising on CMMC, NIST cybersecurity requirements.
• Admitted to a U.S. state bar in good standing.
• Strong ability to partner cross-functionally and communicate complex regulations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary legal counsel on U.S. government contracting with DFARS/FAR focus.
• Advise on DoD contracts across formation, administration, performance and compliance.
• Provide guidance on CMMC and cybersecurity/data protection requirements.
• Support proposal development, contract negotiations, and risk assessments.
• Draft, review, and negotiate prime contracts, subcontracts, teaming agreements, and NDAs.
• Advise on flow-down requirements and subcontractor DFARS obligations.
• Partner with engineering, IT, supply chain, and program teams.
• Liaise with DoD and State Department on regulatory matters.
• Support internal audits, investigations, and compliance reviews.
• Develop training on FAR/DFARS and CMMC readiness.
• Monitor regulatory developments and assess impact on defense activities.
• Promote and model ICARE values.

Skills

Government contracts

FAR/DFARS expertise

CMMC/NIST cybersecurity

Cross-functional collaboration

Strong communication

DoD contracting experience

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited U.S. law school

Job description

Position Summary:

The Senior Counsel Defense Contracts/CUI will serve as a legal subject matter expert on U.S. federal government contracting and compliance matters, with a strong emphasis on DFARS, DoD contracting, and regulatory compliance frameworks.

This role will play a critical part in supporting the company’s engagement with the Department of Defense (DoD) and other federal agencies, ensuring compliance across the full lifecycle of government programs. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in government contracts law, particularly within defense environments, and the ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into practical, risk-based guidance for business stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as primary legal counsel on U.S. government contracting matters, with a focus on compliance with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and related agency supplements
• Advise on DoD contracts across the full lifecycle, including contract formation, administration, performance, and compliance obligations
• Provide legal guidance on Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) and related cybersecurity and data protection requirements tied to defense contracts
• Support proposal development, contract negotiations, and risk assessments for government and defense programs
• Draft, review, and negotiate agreements including prime contracts, subcontracts, teaming agreements, and NDAs
• Advise on flow-down requirements and ensure subcontractor compliance with DFARS and related obligations
• Partner cross-functionally with engineering, IT, supply chain, and program teams to ensure compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements
• Liaise with U.S. government agencies, including DoD and Department of State, on contractual, compliance, and regulatory matters
• Support internal audits, investigations, and compliance reviews related to government contracts and defense programs
• Develop and deliver training on FAR/DFARS requirements, CMMC readiness, and evolving defense compliance expectations
• Monitor regulatory developments and assess impact of the company’s defense-related business activities
• Promote and model the company’s ICARE values-Integrity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Enthusiasm

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited U.S. law school
• Minimum 7+ years of experience in government contracts and defense compliance within a law firm, corporate legal department, or U.S. government agency
• Deep expertise in FAR and DFARS, including contract compliance, flow-down requirements, and regulatory interpretation
• Experience advising on CMMC, NIST frameworks, or cybersecurity requirements in a government contracting environment
• Strong familiarity with DoD contracting and experience supporting defense contractors or government-facing programs
• Demonstrated ability to partner cross-functionally with engineering, operations, and leadership teams
• Experience managing compliance issues, audits, investigations, and disclosures
• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate complex regulations into actionable business guidance
• Admission to at least one U.S. state bar, in good standing

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with or within the Department of Defense or other federal agencies
• Familiarity with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and EAR as they intersect with defense contracting
• Experience in manufacturing, aerospace, defense, or advanced technology environments
• Strong analytical, leadership, and proactive problem-solving capabilities