General Counsel, Defense Partnerships & OTA Programs

Job Description:

General Counsel (GC) will serve as the chief legal advisor and business partner to the executive leadership team of a high-growth defense contracting organization. This role requires a seasoned attorney with deep DoW contracting experience and the ability to navigate complex legal issues across both nonprofit and corporate entities.

The General Counsel will lead a contracts and legal team supporting OTA-based program execution across major DoW clients, currently managing a portfolio of over a hundred projects. This role is central to ensuring legal compliance, structuring agreements, and advising on the strategic approach to new major program contracts.

As a member of the executive team, the General Counsel will provide guidance that balances risk with growth, and help shape the company’s long-term strategy in national security innovation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Executive Legal Partnership

• Serve as the chief legal advisor to the C-suite, providing clear, actionable counsel that aligns with business objectives.
• Translate complex legal and regulatory requirements into strategies that enable growth and program success.
• Advise on major program contracts with DoD entities, guiding negotiations and ensuring compliance.
• Manage all company outside counsel engagement.

Contract & Program Oversight

• Lead a contracts team responsible for supporting complex OTA projects across multiple DoW programs.
• Oversee contract structuring, flow-downs, IP management, and subcontractor agreements.
• Resolve disputes and ensure smooth execution of mission-critical program contracts.

Corporate & Governance

• Advise on governance matters across a layered organization with both nonprofit and corporate structures.
• Draft, review, and manage bylaws, policies, and governance documents to ensure legal compliance and structural efficiency.
• Support organizational scalability by ensuring entity structures align with program execution needs.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Establish and oversee compliance programs that meet DoW, federal, and corporate requirements.
• Monitor evolving legislation, acquisition policies, and regulatory frameworks to anticipate changes that may be applicable to the business.
• Lead the organization’s response to audits, investigations, and reporting obligations.

Leadership & Team Development

• Manage and develop a large legal and contracting team, building scalable processes and capabilities.
• Foster a culture of accountability, compliance, and proactive problem-solving.
• Ensure team members are equipped to support high-value, high-complexity programs.

Qualifications Expected for Position:

Education

• JD degree from an accredited law school; active bar membership in good standing.

Experience/Skills

• Extensive legal experience with a strong background in federal contracting, DoW acquisition, and OTA authorities.
• Deep knowledge of FAR, DFARS, OTA statutes, intellectual property frameworks, and nonprofit/corporate governance.
• Experience advising C-suites and Boards in complex organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large legal or contracting teams in high-pressure environments.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and business acumen.

Travel:

• Travel for this position is estimated up to 10%

Equal Opportunity Employer:

NSTXL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information.

What We Offer:

We strive to be one of the best places to work in America. We offer competitive salaries and benefits that include:

• Health Insurance: Medical and dental – company pays 92% of premiums for individual coverage and for family coverage
• Vision Insurance: Fully covered
• Retirement Plans: 401(k) with employer match up to 4%
• Paid Time Off: Paid sick and safe leave, paid floating holidays, and generous vacation
• Other:
• • Basic Life & AD&D policy company paid
  • Voluntary Life
  • Flexible & remote work structure
  • Wellness reimbursement plan & mental health support
  • Community sponsorships
  • Donation matching
  • Professional development allowance

If you need any accommodation for the interview process, please let us know when we contact you.

We take a geo-neutral approach to compensation within the US, meaning that we pay based on job function and level, not location. We are currently only open to remote employees residing in the following states: AL, FL, IN, MO, NM, NC, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WY.

This job description is a general overview of nature and level of work performed by employees with this job designation It is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of this position. Management reserves the right to add, delete, and/or modify any of the job duties or requirements at any time.