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CesiumAstro, a developer of advanced communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and space/airborne platforms, seeks a Senior Director of Legal to lead all legal support for U.S. government contracts and regulatory compliance.
In this role, you will serve as the primary legal strategist for government business, partnering closely with business development, program teams, and executive leadership. Key responsibilities include:
**Government Contracting & Compliance:**
- Lead legal support across all U.S. government contracts, with deep expertise in FAR/DFARS compliance, interpretation, and application
- Review and advise on proposals (RFPs, RFIs, BAAs, OTAs), contract negotiation, administration, and dispute resolution
- Advise on contract clauses, performance, change orders, claims, and terminations
- Partner with business development to structure, negotiate, and win government deals
**Regulatory & Export Control:**
- Support compliance across applicable agencies (FCC, NOAA, Commerce Department, State Department, etc.)
- Build and oversee export compliance programs (ITAR, EAR)
- Advise on licensing, approvals, and ongoing regulatory obligations
- Monitor and interpret evolving regulatory requirements and assess business impact
- Advise on international transactions, data sharing, and technology transfers
**Risk Management & Operations:**
- Identify and mitigate legal and regulatory risks across programs
- Develop and implement policies and procedures for government compliance
- Conduct internal training and guidance on regulatory and contracting requirements
- Partner with engineering and operations to ensure compliant product development and deployment
- Collaborate with finance, operations, and supply chain on compliance and audit readiness
- Support interactions with government stakeholders, auditors, and regulators
**Team & Process Building:**
- Establish scalable processes, templates, and playbooks for government legal work
- Manage outside counsel and specialized advisors
- Help build and mentor a growing legal and compliance team
- Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on government strategy and risk
**Requirements:**
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree and active license to practice law in the United States
- 11+ years of progressive legal experience in aerospace or defense, including significant focus on government contracting and regulatory matters
- Deep expertise in FAR/DFARS and U.S. government procurement processes
- Experience with export controls (ITAR/EAR) and regulatory compliance programs
- Proven success leading contract negotiations on complex defense and government programs
- Experience advising C-suite leaders and Boards of Directors
- Experience supporting complex commercial deals and cross-functional teams
- Highly pragmatic with strong business judgment
- Ability to balance speed and risk in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills
- Hands-on and execution-oriented approach
- Highly detail-oriented with strong ownership mentality
- Active security clearance or ability to obtain one
- U.S. citizenship or eligible status (lawful permanent resident, conditional resident, asylee, or refugee)
**Preferred Experience:**
- Experience with classified programs and facility clearance environments
- Experience scaling legal processes at an early-stage company
