General Counsel

About the role

Picogrid is seeking a General Counsel to lead all legal and compliance functions as we scale our technology into active operations around the world. You will be the company's first dedicated legal hire, reporting directly to a co-founder and sitting at the table for every significant decision: government contracts, commercial deals, export compliance, fundraising, and corporate governance.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the company's primary legal advisor across all functions: government contracts, commercial agreements, corporate governance, employment, IP, and regulatory compliance.
• Own Picogrid's export compliance program, including ITAR and EAR, ensuring Picogrid stays ahead of a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.
• Assist government contracts across the full procurement lifecycle, from proposal review and contract award through performance and closeout, with fluency in FAR/DFARS, OTAs, and SBIRs.
• Partner with the go-to-market and program teams to support proposal strategy, contract structuring, and customer negotiations.
• Support fundraising and strategic transactions alongside finance and leadership.
• Manage outside counsel relationships effectively, scoping work, controlling cost, and maintaining quality.
• Monitor regulatory and policy developments relevant to Picogrid's business, including ITAR/EAR revisions, NDAA provisions, and acquisition reform, and translate implications for the leadership team.
• Advise on employment matters and sensitive HR situations as they arise.

Required Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school; active bar membership in at least one U.S. state.
• 8+ years of legal experience, with significant time in-house at a defense technology, aerospace, or government contracting company.
• Prior experience as General Counsel or senior counsel with broad ownership of a company's legal portfolio.
• Hands-on experience with ITAR and EAR, including classification analysis, license applications, and compliance program management.
• Substantive government contracts experience, including FAR/DFARS, contract vehicles, and data rights.
• Judgment and initiative to own complex matters end-to-end with limited resources and no legal team behind you.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience building legal and compliance infrastructure at a venture-backed company.
• Familiarity with CMMC, CUI handling requirements, and information security frameworks relevant to DoW contractors.
• Background supporting Series A+ fundraising and M&A diligence.
• Active security clearance, or eligibility and willingness to obtain one.
• Experience with non-traditional contract vehicles, including OTAs and SBIRs.
• A genuine interest in defense technology and the mission it supports.