General Counsel

About the role

As Electra's General Counsel, you'll be the company's most senior legal leader, building and running the legal function as we move from certification to commercialization. You'll report directly to the CEO, sit on the leadership team, and own every major legal workstream: corporate governance, securities and financing matters, commercial and supplier contracts, government contracting (FAR requirements), IP protection and licensing, employment law, litigation and risk management, and compliance matters (to include ITAR/EAR export control, FCPA and ethics). This is a build role. You'll establish the legal function's structure, select and manage outside counsel across specialty areas, and create the policies and processes that let Electra scale responsibly as we grow toward commercialization: from first flight to certification to production.

Responsibilities

• Serve as chief legal advisor to the CEO, executive team, and Board of Directors on all corporate, regulatory, and risk matters
• Build and lead Electra's internal legal function, including hiring and managing legal staff and directing outside counsel across specialty areas
• Own corporate governance, including Board and committee support, corporate records, and equity administration
• Lead legal work on capital raises, financing transactions, and investor agreements in partnership with the CFO, including the potential for IPO preparation
• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements, including supplier, customer, partnership, and consulting agreements
• Manage legal execution of strategic transactions, to include support and incentive agreements with government entities and transactions with industry partners
• Oversee export control compliance (ITAR/EAR), including classification determinations, licensing, and training in partnership with People Operations and Engineering
• Advise on FAA regulatory matters and support certification-related legal work in coordination with the certification and engineering teams
• Manage government contracting and FAR compliance as Electra's government-facing programs and partnerships expand
• Oversee intellectual property strategy, including patent, trademark, and trade secret protection
• Manage litigation, disputes, and claims, including selection and oversight of outside litigation counsel
• Partner with People Operations on employment law matters, policy development, and workforce compliance
• Build and maintain a company-wide compliance program, including policies, training, and reporting mechanisms
• Advise on risk management and insurance strategy across the business

Requirements

• J.D. and active bar membership in good standing; Virginia bar admission or ability to obtain in-house counsel registration
• 20+ years of legal experience, including significant in-house experience; general counsel or deputy general counsel experience strongly preferred
• Strong background in corporate law, securities, and M&A; experience supporting financing rounds or capital markets transactions
• Experience managing outside counsel across multiple specialty areas and jurisdictions
• Demonstrated ability to build legal function infrastructure - policies, processes, and governance - at a growth-stage company
• Excellent judgment and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal issues into clear guidance for non-legal executives
• Comfort operating as a hands-on, early legal hire in a fast-moving, resource-constrained environment
• US Person (Citizen or Permanent Resident) required

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace, aviation, or defense, including familiarity with FAA regulatory processes
• Direct experience with ITAR/EAR export control compliance and licensing
• Experience with FAR and government contracting (GovCon) requirements
• Experience advising a company through an IPO or late-stage private financing
• Familiarity with hardware or IP-intensive businesses and associated licensing and protection strategies

Benefits

• Competitive salary and equity
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance; STD, LTD, and life insurance
• Generous PTO, sick leave, and company holidays
• Paid winter break
• 401(k) with immediate vesting
• Free catered lunches, coffee, snacks, and drinks at our Manassas headquarters
• Free on-site parking