Legal Counsel

Hermeus is an aerospace and defense technology company founded to radically accelerate air travel by delivering hypersonic aircraft. The company aims to develop hypersonic aircraft quickly and cost-effectively by integrating hardware-rich, iterative development with modern computing and autonomy. This approach has been validated through design, build, and test of the company’s first combined turbojet-ramjet engine and is now being scaled through its first flight vehicle program, Quarterhorse. Hermeus is also developing Darkhorse — an uncrewed hypersonic aircraft designed to deliver unique asymmetric capabilities to the warfighter.

Hermeus is seeking a Legal Counsel to provide comprehensive legal supporting areas such as contracting, regulatory compliance, and intellectual property. The ideal candidate will have experience drafting and negotiating contracts with commercial and government entities, as well as a strong understanding of compliance issues such as export controls (ITAR and EAR), FAA regulations, and government acquisition rules (FAR and DFARS). This role also involves developing policies, managing legal operations, collaborating with outside counsel, and conducting training to ensure company-wide compliance and risk awareness. 

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts with commercial and government entities. 
• Develop and implement policies and procedures and provide support on regulatory compliance, including export controls (International Traffic in Arms Regulations and Export Administration Regulations), Federal Aviation Administration regulations, and government acquisition regulations (Federal Acquisition Regulation and Defense FAR Supplement). 
• Support matters such as intellectual property management, risk management, and corporate governance. 
• Coordinate with outside counsel on specialized legal matters. 
• Oversee and optimize legal operations, including the contract management and matter management systems, advise on process improvements, and provide strategic insights through data analysis. 
• Conduct legal training for employees on relevant legal and compliance issues. 

Requirements

• J.D. from an accredited law school and admission to at least one state bar. 
• Strong negotiation skills and experience with complex contract drafting. 
• Experience with regulatory compliance. 
• Experience with acquisition regulations. 
• Proven ability to work independently, collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, and manage multiple projects with tight deadlines. 
• Excellent analytical, communication, and organizational skills. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the aerospace and defense industry. 
• Experience with export controls. 
• Experience with legal operations. 

U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS 

The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. US persons include U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Hermeus is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions at Hermeus are based solely on merit, competence, and qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.