Senior Counsel (Litigation & Regulatory)

Saronic; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Saronic seeks a Senior Counsel to lead litigation and regulatory work at a fast-growing defense technology company. You will shape strategy on high-stakes matters, manage outside counsel, and advise executives on risks from legislation and regulatory actions.

Based in Austin, Texas, you will collaborate with the Head of Regulatory & Litigation, the GC, and government affairs to drive policy, respond to federal actions, and build a scalable legal infrastructure for rapid growth.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree required.
• Active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar.
• 5+ years in federal litigation and regulatory matters.
• Experience advising senior executives or government officials on legal risk.
• Experience with national security, defense, or law enforcement matters.

Responsibilities

• Lead litigation and regulatory strategy for high-stakes matters from assessment through dispositive actions.
• Draft and oversee filings, motions, and discoveries; manage outside counsel.
• Advise senior leadership on risks and opportunities from legislation, EO’s, and regulation.
• Coordinate with government affairs teams and policy influencers.
• Engage with agencies and develop strategic comments and advocacy approaches.

Skills

Litigation strategy

Regulatory risk assessment

Executive advisory

Policy engagement

Oral advocacy

Written advocacy

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

High-stakes matters

Analytical judgment

Education

Juris Doctor

Bar admission (U.S. state)

Job description

• We are hiring a Senior Counsel to take a leading role in Saronic’s litigation and regulatory work
• This is primarily a litigation and regulatory role, with meaningful responsibility for government-facing engagement and executive advisory work
• You will partner closely with our Head of Regulatory & Litigation, our General Counsel, and our government affairs and policy teams to manage high-stakes matters and shape the legal environment in which Saronic operates
• Develop and drive strategy on the company’s most consequential litigation, including affirmative challenges and constitutional and administrative law matters, from initial case assessment through dispositive motions and appeal
• Draft and oversee key filings, including complaints, preliminary injunction motions and oppositions, and dispositive and discovery motions, while managing outside counsel to a high standard of work product
• Lead internal fact development, including employee interviews, declarations, and witness preparation
• Coordinate amicus and coalition strategy and align litigation positions with the company’s external messaging
• Partner with the Head of Regulatory & Litigation on national and international regulatory matters affecting Saronic, including military acquisition regulation, export controls, and cross-cutting national security regulatory issues
• Engage with agencies and develop comments, filings, and advocacy strategies on regulations material to the company
• Advise senior leadership on risks and opportunities arising from legislation, executive orders, and regulation, and support the government affairs team on legal and policy engagement with the executive branch and Congress
• Prepare talking points, white papers, and briefing materials for meetings with government officials and other external stakeholders
• Advise business leaders on the intersection of law, policy, and strategy across product, government affairs, and corporate functions
• Help build the legal infrastructure of a fast-scaling defense technology company

This is not a traditional in-house role. It requires sharp legal judgment, the ability to build case strategy from the ground up, fluency with how federal decision-makers operate, and the discipline to manage litigation, regulatory, and facility-related matters in parallelSound judgment, low ego, high ownership, and the temperament to thrive in a fast-moving, mission-driven companyExperience advising senior executives or government officials on legal, regulatory, and policy riskDemonstrated interest in or experience with national security, defense, or law enforcement mattersJuris Doctor and active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state barA track record of building and executing strategy in high-stakes federal litigation, including constitutional, administrative, or complex commercial matters5+ years of legal experience involving litigation and regulatory matters (government, in-house, or top-tier law firm)Excellent written and oral advocacy; ability to operate with senior policymakers and senior executives with equal credibilityProlonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computerLifting and carrying items up to 20 pounds occasionally (e.g., office supplies, packages)Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other office equipmentOccasional reaching, bending, or stooping to access file drawers, cabinets, or office suppliesOccasional standing and walking within the officeVisual acuity to read screens, documents, and reportsPrior executive branch, congressional, military, or other national security experienceExperience with environmental, permitting, or land-use matters for large-scale industrial or infrastructure facilitiesExperience with defense acquisition, export controls, or CFIUSFamiliarity with autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, dual-use technology, or defense innovationCurrent or prior U.S. security clearance (Secret or higher); TS/SCI eligibility strongly preferred