Whistler Partners
General Counsel @ Aerospace Innovator
Whistler Partners, Los Angeles, California, United States, 90079
Whistler Partners provided pay range
This range is provided by Whistler Partners. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range $350,000.00/yr - $400,000.00/yr
Job Overview A pioneering advanced-technology aerospace organization is seeking a General Counsel who will operate as a core strategic business leader during a phase of rapid innovation, hardware development, and scaling. Working at the intersection of breakthrough engineering and national security, the company needs an executive who brings sharp commercial judgment, startup agility, and the ability to turn complexity into clarity.
The ideal candidate is fearless in the face of ambiguity, relentlessly iterative in solving novel problems, and energized by environments where answers are not yet obvious. They pair strong legal acumen with business instincts, hardware go-to-market insight, and a deep curiosity that drives them to understand new technologies, regulatory frameworks, and strategic landscapes quickly and in depth.
Key Responsibilities
Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO and executive team, shaping company strategy, operational priorities, and long-term planning.
Apply legal, commercial, and regulatory insight to help the organization make fast, informed decisions—balancing risk with speed and opportunity.
Lead the negotiation and structuring of complex commercial and government agreements that enable hardware development, production, and deployment.
Build scalable, adaptable frameworks that support high-velocity hardware go-to-market environments with demanding technical, regulatory, and customer requirements.
Establish and maintain constructive engagement with regulatory agencies and government partners.
Drive enterprise risk strategy, helping teams identify challenges early and turning constraints into catalysts for better solutions.
Develop cross-functional processes, tools, and training that enable the broader organization to operate confidently and compliantly at speed.
Model and cultivate a culture of fearless experimentation, iterative learning, and first-principles problem solving across legal, engineering, and business teams.
About You
J.D. from an accredited law school and active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.
Senior in-house counsel, deputy GC, GC, or executive legal/business leadership experience, ideally within a startup or high-growth environment.
Demonstrated ability to function as a business-first executive, influencing strategy and accelerating execution.
Experience supporting hardware development and go-to-market programs, particularly within technically complex or regulated environments.
Proven success building scalable systems and leading teams through ambiguous or rapidly evolving conditions.
Exceptional judgment, communication skills, and a natural tendency to dig deep, ask questions, and iterate toward better solutions.
A mindset that is both fearless and grounded—comfortable making decisions amid uncertainty while maintaining operational discipline.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with export controls (e.g., ITAR/EAR), aviation or transportation regulatory frameworks, or federal contracting (FAR/DFARS).
Background in aerospace, defense, industrial technologies, or other advanced hardware sectors.
Experience standing up or scaling legal and operational infrastructure in fast-paced, innovation-heavy environments.
U.S. Export Control Compliance This position requires access to information and items subject to U.S. export control regulations. Candidates must be a “U.S. person” under applicable definitions or otherwise eligible to obtain required authorizations.
Equal Opportunity Employer This organization is committed to equal employment opportunity. All employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs, without regard to any legally protected status.
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Whistler Partners by 2x
Seniority level Executive
Employment type Full-time
Job function Legal
Industries Defense and Space Manufacturing and Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing
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Base pay range $350,000.00/yr - $400,000.00/yr
Job Overview A pioneering advanced-technology aerospace organization is seeking a General Counsel who will operate as a core strategic business leader during a phase of rapid innovation, hardware development, and scaling. Working at the intersection of breakthrough engineering and national security, the company needs an executive who brings sharp commercial judgment, startup agility, and the ability to turn complexity into clarity.
The ideal candidate is fearless in the face of ambiguity, relentlessly iterative in solving novel problems, and energized by environments where answers are not yet obvious. They pair strong legal acumen with business instincts, hardware go-to-market insight, and a deep curiosity that drives them to understand new technologies, regulatory frameworks, and strategic landscapes quickly and in depth.
Key Responsibilities
Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO and executive team, shaping company strategy, operational priorities, and long-term planning.
Apply legal, commercial, and regulatory insight to help the organization make fast, informed decisions—balancing risk with speed and opportunity.
Lead the negotiation and structuring of complex commercial and government agreements that enable hardware development, production, and deployment.
Build scalable, adaptable frameworks that support high-velocity hardware go-to-market environments with demanding technical, regulatory, and customer requirements.
Establish and maintain constructive engagement with regulatory agencies and government partners.
Drive enterprise risk strategy, helping teams identify challenges early and turning constraints into catalysts for better solutions.
Develop cross-functional processes, tools, and training that enable the broader organization to operate confidently and compliantly at speed.
Model and cultivate a culture of fearless experimentation, iterative learning, and first-principles problem solving across legal, engineering, and business teams.
About You
J.D. from an accredited law school and active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.
Senior in-house counsel, deputy GC, GC, or executive legal/business leadership experience, ideally within a startup or high-growth environment.
Demonstrated ability to function as a business-first executive, influencing strategy and accelerating execution.
Experience supporting hardware development and go-to-market programs, particularly within technically complex or regulated environments.
Proven success building scalable systems and leading teams through ambiguous or rapidly evolving conditions.
Exceptional judgment, communication skills, and a natural tendency to dig deep, ask questions, and iterate toward better solutions.
A mindset that is both fearless and grounded—comfortable making decisions amid uncertainty while maintaining operational discipline.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with export controls (e.g., ITAR/EAR), aviation or transportation regulatory frameworks, or federal contracting (FAR/DFARS).
Background in aerospace, defense, industrial technologies, or other advanced hardware sectors.
Experience standing up or scaling legal and operational infrastructure in fast-paced, innovation-heavy environments.
U.S. Export Control Compliance This position requires access to information and items subject to U.S. export control regulations. Candidates must be a “U.S. person” under applicable definitions or otherwise eligible to obtain required authorizations.
Equal Opportunity Employer This organization is committed to equal employment opportunity. All employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs, without regard to any legally protected status.
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Whistler Partners by 2x
Seniority level Executive
Employment type Full-time
Job function Legal
Industries Defense and Space Manufacturing and Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing
#J-18808-Ljbffr