This hybrid Corporate Counsel role provides legal guidance and support across a broad range of corporate and operational matters for Blue Ops, Inc., with primary emphasis on employment law, commercial contracting, manufacturing agreements, and legal matters involving military and government contracting. The successful candidate will support a rapidly growing defense technology company engaged in the design, development, manufacturing, integration, and deployment of advanced unmanned maritime systems for military, government, and commercial customers. The ideal candidate will possess strong commercial contracting skills, meaningful experience advising on employment law matters, and the ability to provide practical legal advice in a dynamic, technology-driven manufacturing environment.
Responsibilities
Provide legal advice and counsel to Human Resources and executive leadership regarding federal and state employment laws and workplace compliance
Advise on employee hiring, performance management, disciplinary actions, workplace investigations, terminations, reductions in force, and employee relations
Draft, review, and negotiate employment agreements, executive employment agreements, independent contractor agreements, separation agreements, restrictive covenants, and confidentiality agreements
Provide guidance concerning wage and hour laws, employee classification, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, employee leave, and workplace accommodations
Assist in developing, reviewing, and maintaining employee handbooks, employment policies, and internal compliance procedures
Support employment-related disputes, administrative proceedings, and litigation in coordination with outside counsel
Advise on employment matters arising in manufacturing, engineering, defense contracting, and multistate operational environments
Draft, review, negotiate, and manage a broad range of commercial agreements, including Master Services Agreements (MSAs) and Statements of Work (SOWs), manufacturing, fabrication, assembly, and production agreements, supplier, vendor, procurement, and subcontractor agreements, engineering, product development, and technology integration agreements, licensing, distribution, reseller, and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) agreements, nondisclosure agreements, teaming agreements, strategic partnership agreements, and memoranda of understanding
Negotiate and advise on contractual provisions addressing indemnification, limitation of liability, warranties, insurance, intellectual property ownership, confidentiality, and termination rights
Support manufacturing and supply chain operations by addressing contractual issues involving quality assurance, production delays, product acceptance, delivery obligations, and supplier performance
Assist in structuring agreements involving prototype development, new product integration, and technology commercialization
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Work directly with engineering, manufacturing, procurement, and executive teams to develop commercially practical contracting solutions
Assist in resolving contract disputes, supplier disagreements, and performance-related issues
Support legal matters involving contracts and business relationships with the U.S. Department of Defense, federal agencies, prime contractors, and defense industry partners
Draft, review, and negotiate government-related contracts, subcontracts, teaming agreements, and other defense procurement arrangements
Identify and evaluate contractual risks associated with government procurement, contract performance, and regulatory compliance
Provide legal guidance concerning applicable FAR and DFARS requirements, including government contracting clauses and subcontractor flow-down obligations
Support contractual matters involving Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements, prototype development programs, research and development arrangements, and production contracts
Assist in evaluating government contract intellectual property provisions, including technical data rights, government-purpose rights, restricted rights, and ownership of contractor-developed technology
Coordinate with internal personnel and specialized outside counsel concerning ITAR, EAR, procurement integrity, and other defense industry compliance obligations
Assist with contract performance disputes, termination issues, government inquiries, and procurement-related risk management
Provide legal support concerning the company's maritime operations, including the design, manufacture, testing, and deployment of unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and related technologies
Draft, review, and negotiate agreements involving vessel construction, prototype development, maritime manufacturing, vessel acquisition, and maritime services
Assist in evaluating contractual responsibility for vessel design, construction, seaworthiness, inspection, testing, delivery, and acceptance
Identify and address maritime-related contractual risks, including vessel damage, transportation liability, product liability, insurance requirements, and operational responsibility
Support legal matters involving maritime defense platforms, autonomous vessels, and integration of advanced technologies into maritime systems
Coordinate with specialized maritime counsel regarding admiralty law, Coast Guard requirements, maritime insurance, and vessel-related claims when appropriate
Advise business and operational teams regarding allocation of liability among vessel manufacturers, component suppliers, technology integrators, and end users
Provide day-to-day legal counsel to management and business teams on operational, commercial, and regulatory matters
Assist with corporate governance, compliance initiatives, internal policies, and other matters assigned by the General Counsel
Support intellectual property protection, technology licensing, confidentiality, and proprietary information matters
Assist in managing outside counsel, litigation, commercial disputes, and regulatory inquiries
Develop and maintain standardized contracts, legal templates, and internal contracting procedures
Support strategic partnerships, business development initiatives, and corporate transactions as needed
Proactively identify legal and commercial risks and recommend practical solutions consistent with company objectives
Requirements
Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an ABA-accredited law school
Active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar
Minimum of five (5) years of legal experience, including substantial experience in commercial contracting, employment law, or corporate legal practice
Demonstrated ability to independently draft, review, and negotiate complex commercial agreements
Working knowledge of federal and Florida/Georgia state employment laws and experience providing employment-related legal advice
Strong understanding of contractual risk allocation, including indemnification, limitation of liability, warranties, intellectual property ownership, and dispute resolution
Ability to work directly with business leaders, operational personnel, and technical teams to develop practical legal solutions
Excellent legal research, analytical, drafting, negotiation, and communication skills
Ability to independently manage multiple legal matters in a fast-paced business environment
Strong professional judgment, attention to detail, and ability to appropriately manage confidential and sensitive information
Nice to have:
Prior military service, particularly as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer or attorney supporting military procurement, acquisition, or operational matters
Prior in-house legal experience with a defense contractor, government contractor, aerospace manufacturer, maritime defense company, or military technology business
Experience representing companies engaged in the development, manufacturing, or integration of military equipment, unmanned systems, or defense technologies
Experience working with DoD contracting officers, acquisition personnel, program managers, or military procurement organizations
Familiarity with vessel construction agreements, shipbuilding or boat manufacturing contracts, vessel acceptance requirements, seaworthiness obligations, and allocation of responsibilities among vessel manufacturers, suppliers, and technology integrators
Understanding of maritime liability principles, admiralty law, vessel-related risk allocation, maritime insurance, and legal issues involving autonomous or unmanned surface vessels
Working knowledge of federal defense procurement requirements, including FAR/DFARS clauses, government contracting compliance, subcontractor flow-down provisions, and contractual requirements associated with DoD procurement
Familiarity with intellectual property ownership and licensing in defense contracting, including technical data rights, government-purpose rights, restricted rights, software rights, and intellectual property developed under government-funded or contractor-funded programs
Experience with Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements, government-funded research and development, and prototype contracting
Familiarity with ITAR, EAR, and other defense industry regulatory requirements
Experience supporting manufacturing operations, supply chain contracting, and product development
Experience handling multistate employment law matters within a corporate environment
Experience advising rapidly growing companies or businesses operating in highly regulated industries
Active or previously held U.S. government security clearance
Benefits
Generous annual equity package
Potential bonuses
Important Details
Work format: hybrid
Locations: West Palm Beach, Florida or Valdosta, Georgia
Background Check
This position will require successfully completing a post-offer background check. Qualified candidates with a criminal history will be considered and are not automatically disqualified, consistent with federal and state law.
About the Company
Blue Ops, Inc. is a Red Cat company. It is a defense technology company engaged in the design, development, manufacturing, integration, and deployment of advanced unmanned maritime systems for military, government, and commercial customers.
