Vice President, Business Group Lead Counsel

PAE Government Services Inc.; Reston (VA); Hybrid; USD 300,000 - 340,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Job summary

Amentum is seeking an experienced Government Contracts Attorney to join our Legal Department in a hybrid role reporting to the Reston, VA area. The ideal candidate will lead legal advisory services for U.S. federal government contracts and manage a team of attorneys.

Required is a Juris Doctor, US citizenship, and the ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance. The role emphasizes collaboration with contracts, finance, and program teams to ensure regulatory alignment.

Qualifications

• Strong working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and federal procurement regulations.
• Experience with government contract disputes, claims, and bid protests.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Anticipates and manages legal risks in a complex, high-stakes environment.
• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams including contracts, finance, and procurement.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on all aspects of U.S. federal government contracts, including contract formation, negotiation, performance, and closeout.
• Assess risks for bids, proposals, and ongoing contracts.
• Advise on cost allowability, contract claims, disputes, terminations, and bid protests.
• Oversee negotiation of teaming agreements, NDAs, subcontracts, and related documents.
• Coordinate responses to government audits and inquiries and support compliance programs.

Skills

FAR/DFARS knowledge

Government contracts disputes

Negotiation

Legal risk assessment

Contractual compliance

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Overview

Amentum is a global leader in advanced engineering and innovative technology solutions, trusted by the United States and its allies to address significant challenges in science, security and sustainability. Our people apply curiosity, ambition and imagination to challenge convention and drive progress. Our commitments emphasize safety, collaboration and well-being as integral to success. Headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, Amentum has approximately 50,000 employees in more than 70 countries. Amentum is seeking an experienced Government Contracts Attorney to join our Legal Department. The Vice President, Business Group Lead Counsel will head legal advisory services and strategic guidance for our Engineering & Technology business. The ideal candidate will have deep experience in all aspects of U.S. federal government contracts. This role will direct the work of other attorneys. This is a hybrid role; when on-site, you will report to our Amentum Reston, VA office. US Citizenship is required to apply. This role also requires the willingness and ability to obtain/maintain a security clearance, up to a Top Secret level.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on all aspects of U.S. federal government contracts, including FAR, DFARS, and agency-specific regulations for contract formation, negotiation, performance, modification, compliance, and closeout.
• Provide legal risk assessments for bids, proposals, and ongoing contracts.
• Advise on cost allowability, contract claims/disputes, contract terminations, and bid protests.
• Oversee the negotiation of teaming agreements, NDAs, subcontracts, and other related agreements.
• Assist in responding to government audits, investigations, and inquiries, including from the DCAA, DCMA, and OIG.
• Support internal compliance programs, training, and policy development related to government contracting.
• Engage when appropriate, coordinate and manage outside counsel including developing case strategy.
• Provide analysis and responses to legislative developments, public and industry inquiries.
• Provide expertise on questions of corporate authority to engage in various transactions.
• Collaborate with contracts, finance, procurement, and program teams to ensure alignment with legal and regulatory obligations.

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and other federal procurement regulations.
• Experience with government contract disputes, claims, and bid protests.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Anticipates, minimizes and effectively manages legal risks facing the company.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Typically 10+ years of relevant experience in government contracts law, ideally including experience in the defense or aerospace sector.
• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Ability to obtain/maintain a security clearance, up to a Top Secret level.
• US Citizenship is required to apply.
• Hybrid work arrangement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior in-house counsel experience in the defense or government services industry.
• Experience with classified or export-controlled programs (ITAR, EAR).
• Familiarity with cybersecurity requirements in government contracting (e.g., CMMC, NIST SP 800-171).
• Background in supporting international government contracts and FMS/Direct Commercial Sales.

Compensation

Salary range: 300-340K plus bonus. The compensation range or hourly rate listed for this position is provided as a good-faith estimate of what the company intends to offer at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as responsibilities, education, experience, skills, internal equity, market data, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and relevant laws.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching)
• Educational reimbursement
• Parental leave
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Tax-saving options
• Disability and life insurance
• Pet insurance

EEO and Notices

Amentum is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed, marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Details on rights under Federal laws and supplemental language are available through Labor Laws Posters.

Additional Information

For accommodation requests or assistance during the employment process, please contact us by email. If you are contacted regarding a fraudulent employment proposal, please report to local law enforcement. Amentum will never ask candidates to pay fees for employment; communications requesting such fees are fraudulent. All official communications originate from @amentum.com domains.