Senior Counsel, Gov. Contracts and Compliance
Karman Space & Defense
SUMMARY
Karman Space and Defense seeks a Senior Counsel – Government Contracts & Compliance with a minimum of twelve (12) years of progressive legal experience at least eight (8) of which must be focused on U.S. government contracts in the aerospace and defense market either in-house, with the government, or at a law firm. This role is designed for a mature, judgment-driven attorney who can operate with limited supervision and serve as a trusted advisor to senior management in a newly public, defense-focused organization. The Senior Counsel reports to the General Counsel and directly advises senior Company stakeholders, programs, and functions including Contracts and Supply Chain. The Senior Counsel will utilize their deep expertise in the FAR, DFARS, agency specific supplements, and commercial contracts to provide timely, accurate, and relevant legal advice. The Senior Counsel must be able to seamlessly integrate into an existing cross functional team, establish themselves as a trusted subject matter expert, and help the team achieve its objectives. The Senior Counsel will support a growing portfolio of classified and unclassified government programs and will play a key role in strengthening the Company’s contracts function and export compliance posture, including readiness for audit, regulatory scrutiny, and board oversight.
ABOUT US
Karman Space & Defense provides concept-to-production solutions for mission-critical systems on spacecraft, launch vehicles, missiles, hypersonics, and integrated defense systems. We believe that solving the industry’s most complex and mission-critical challenges requires relentless determination and a willingness to push the boundaries of possibility. Karman Space & Defense brings to bear unparalleled production capabilities, unmatched engineering expertise, and unflinching analysis to render the impossible, possible.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
- Medical, Dental, Vision
- Company Paid Life Insurance
- 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Paid Holidays
- Tuition Reimbursement*
WHAT YOU WILL DO
- Government Contracts Counseling
- Serve as the primary point of contact on all issues related to government contracts within the Company.
- Advise internal stakeholders on all phases of U.S. government contracting, including new business captures, proposal development, intellectual property requirements, award/execution, modification, and closeout.
- Interpret and apply the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and agency supplements.
- Review, draft, and negotiate prime contracts, subcontracts, teaming agreements, NDAs, and other contract-related documents.
- Advise the Company on novel acquisition methods, including Other Transactions.
- Provide guidance on contract flow-down requirements, changes, protests, claims, terminations, disputes, and equitable adjustments.
- Prepare and present training for multiple audiences within the Company relevant to government contracts.
- Manage relevant outside counsel as needed.
- Support and lead contract negotiations.
- Regulatory Compliance
- Counsel on compliance with government contracting statutes and regulations, including Truthful Cost or Pricing Data (TINA), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), socio-economic requirements, and cybersecurity obligations (e.g., NIST SP 800-171, CMMC readiness).
- Support internal audits, DCAA/DCMA interactions, and government inquiries or investigations related to contracts and compliance.
- Assist with development, implementation, and maintenance of government contracts compliance policies and procedures.
- ITAR / Export Controls
- Serve as primary legal advisor on ITAR, EAR and OFAC compliance, including jurisdiction and classification, technical data controls, deemed exports, licensing, agreements, exemptions, and provisos.
- Advise on access controls for foreign nationals, visitors, remote access, and cloud-based collaboration tools in coordination with Security, IT, HR, and Engineering.
- Support development, enhancement, and ongoing maintenance of the Company’s export controls compliance program, including policies, procedures, training, and internal controls.
- Lead or support internal investigations, corrective actions, and voluntary disclosures related to export control matters and interface with the U.S. Department of State (DDTC) and other regulators as needed.
- Cross-Functional Support
- Collaborate closely with Contracts, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, Security, and Business Development teams.
- Provide training to internal stakeholders on government contracts and ITAR/export control topics.
- Support M&A, due diligence, and integration activities related to government contracts and export controls, as applicable.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited U.S. law school.
- Active license and good standing with at least one U.S. state bar.
- Minimum of twelve (12) years of legal experience with eight (8) years focused on government contracts law, gained in-house, at a law firm, or with a government agency.
- Demonstrated, hands-on experience advising on FAR/DFARS and defense-related government contracts throughout the contract lifecycle.
- Experience with a wide range of U.S. government contract types including fixed price, cost, incentive, award fee, other transaction agreements, and cooperative research agreements.
- Experience supporting senior leadership and providing practical, risk-based legal advice in a highly regulated industry.
- Must currently possess a Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATION
- Experience supporting a public company, including familiarity with disclosure controls, internal controls, audit processes, mandatory FAR disclosures.
- Familiarity with the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), OFAC sanctions, and other trade compliance regimes.
- Experience managing or supporting regulatory investigations, DCAA/DCMA audits, or enforcement matters.
- Experience with international contracting through either the Foreign Military Sales process or direct commercial sales.
- Experience with ITAR, including technical data controls, deemed export analysis, licensing, exemptions, and compliance program implementation.
- LL.M in a relevant legal discipline.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS
- To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, certain positions may require applicants to be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
Karman is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to race; color; religion; genetic information; national origin; sex; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; age; disability; citizenship status; uniform servicemember status; or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law. Our management is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy with respect to hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, recruitment advertising, pay, and other forms of compensation, training, and general treatment during employment.
