Associate General Counsel

Performance Drone Works (PDW) is building the next generation of tactical robotic systems used across defense, national security, and public safety missions. We design and produce multi-mission aerial systems that operators trust to perform in real-world conditions, reliably, repeatedly, and at scale. Our approach is grounded in operator-centered design, rapid iteration from field use, and U.S.-based manufacturing. We operate by a clear set of values: Mission First, Aim Farther, Own It, Win Together.

About the role

The successful candidate will play a critical role in guiding the company’s global operations, ensuring legal compliance, mitigating risks, and enabling the business to scale quickly and responsibly. You will join a team of operators, engineers, and builders who solve hard problems with humility and focus.

Responsibilities

• Review, support and negotiate a variety of U.S. Government and foreign Government contracts in support of PDW’s mission.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of commercial agreements, including NDAs, vendor, reseller, partnership, and customer contracts.
• Support business development and product teams with asset acquisition structures and risk management strategies.
• Provide counsel on intellectual property protection, licensing, open-source software usage, and technology transfer.
• Partner with cross-functional teams (engineering, product, finance, HR, security) to identify and mitigate legal risks.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on complex legal and regulatory issues.
• Stay ahead of evolving laws and regulations impacting the technology sector, including AI, data security, and global trade.
• Possess the mental agility to pivot into new areas of practice when needed.

Requirements

• J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school and active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.
• 5+ years of legal experience, including in-house counsel experience at a technology company, government agency or top law firm.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance or higher, as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in Government and commercial contracting, and acquisition, fiscal law, administrative law, investigations, and regulatory compliance, with an emphasis on Government contracting and acquisition law.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills, with a practical, solutions-oriented approach.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, innovative, and rapidly evolving environment.
• Proficiency in MS Office tools.
• Ability to travel up to 20%.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

• Ability to sit, stand, bend, reach, and move about regularly throughout the day and lift/carry up to 25 pounds.
• Must have manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment such as computers, printers, and phones.
• Must be physically capable of walking between the office and production areas and attending events or meetings off-site as needed.

Work Environment

• This position typically operates in a standard office and manufacturing environment.
• This role requires use of standard engineering and manufacturing equipment and may require occasional travel to customer locations or facilities.
• This position may have exposure to outdoor weather conditions, noise, and non-climate-controlled environments.
• May require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) depending on the environment.
• This is a fast-paced work environment and requires cross-departmental collaboration with independent and team-based responsibilities.
• Standard work hours for this position are 8:30am-5:00pm with occasional overtime as operational needs demand.

Benefits

• Comprehensive BCBS medical, dental, and vision coverage; 80% sponsored by the company.
• Safe Harbor 401(K) with company match.
• Paid Parental Leave.
• On-site gym at Huntsville, AL & Denver, CO locations.
• Employer provided life insurance.
• Robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Competitive salary, generous paid time off (PTO), and flexible leave options.

Pay

The pay range for this role is $160,000 - $210,000 USD per year. Individual pay is determined by factors including geography, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.