Senior Government Contracts Counsel & Enterprise Strategy

Coherent; Sherman (TX); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Coherent Corp. seeks an experienced Senior Legal Counsel to lead the enterprise-wide government contracting program in the U.S. defense sector, based in Sherman, Texas with hybrid work options.

You will shape policies, oversee FAR/DFARS/CMMC compliance, review contracts, and advise executives on risk, regulatory changes, and program governance across business units. The role requires JD, bar admission, 10+ years in government contracting, and in-house experience with public companies or defense

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar.
• 10+ years in U.S. government or defense contracting, incl. in-house.
• Significant FAR/DFARS, DoD contracting, and compliance experience.
• CMMC or government-contract cybersecurity obligations familiarity.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead enterprise-wide legal strategy for U.S. government contracting.
• Develop framework for identifying, reviewing, approving govt. opportunities and obligations.
• Create policies and escalation protocols for government contracting activities.
• Advise executive leadership on contractual, regulatory, compliance risks.
• Engage with DoD, agencies, primes, and external counsel on matters.
• Provide legal leadership for CMMC readiness and cyber compliance.

Skills

U.S. government contracting law

FAR/DFARS/CMMC expertise

Legal risk assessment

Executive advisory

Negotiation and contracting

Regulatory compliance

Policy development

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Active U.S. state bar membership

In-house counsel experience

Experience in defense contracting

Job description

Coherent Corp. seeks an experienced Senior Legal Counsel to lead the enterprise-wide government contracting program in the U.S. defense sector, based in Sherman, Texas with hybrid work options.

You will shape policies, oversee FAR/DFARS/CMMC compliance, review contracts, and advise executives on risk, regulatory changes, and program governance across business units. The role requires JD, bar admission, 10+ years in government contracting, and in-house experience with public companies or defense