Coherent

Senior Counsel Defense Contracts, Legal

Coherent • $130K — $180K *
Washington, DC 20011In-Person
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
1 month ago
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BA or BS in business or related field preferred; experience in FARs, DFARs, defense contracting, CMMC.
  • Juris Doctorate required.
  • 7-10 years of relevant legal experience.
  • Experience in a public company within the defense or related sector preferred.
  • Advanced knowledge of international trade regulations related to government contracting.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as primary legal counsel for U.S. government contracting compliance.
  • Advise on DoD and federal agency contract management and compliance.
  • Provide legal guidance on cybersecurity compliance related to government contracts.
  • Support proposal development and contract negotiations for government-related programs.
  • Draft and negotiate various agreements relevant to government contracts.
  • Collaborate with engineering and IT teams to ensure regulatory compliance.
  • Liaise with government agencies on contractual matters and support internal compliance audits.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work options.
  • Opportunities for professional development and training.
  • Engagement with internal teams across various departments.
  • Execution of applicable ISO quality and environmental standards.
Full Job Description
Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities
  • Serve as primary legal counsel on U.S. government contracting matters, including compliance with FAR, DFARS, and related agency supplements
  • Advise on DoD and federal agency contracts, including contract formation, administration, and compliance obligations
  • Provide legal guidance on CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) requirements and broader cybersecurity compliance obligations tied to government contracts
  • Support proposal development, contract negotiations, and risk assessments for government programs
  • Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of agreements, including prime contracts, subcontracts, teaming agreements, and NDAs
  • Partner with engineering, IT, supply chain, and program management teams to ensure compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements
  • Advise on flow-down requirements and support subcontractor compliance strategies
  • Liaise with U.S. government agencies, including DoD and Department of State, on contractual and regulatory matters
  • Support internal audits, investigations, and compliance reviews related to government contracts
  • Provide training to internal teams on FAR/DFARS requirements, CMMC readiness, and evolving regulatory expectations
  • Monitor and interpret regulatory changes and assess impact to the business
  • Provide training on CMMC to key stakeholders


Education & Experience
  • BA or BS in business or related field preferred; experience in FARs, DFARs, defense contracting, CMMC.
  • Juris Doctorate
  • 7-10 years legal experience
  • Experience working in a public company in the defense or related sector preferred.

Skills
  • Advanced knowledge of international trade regulations including FARs, DFARs, defense contracting, CMMC FARs, DFARs, defense contracting, CMMC, etc.
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both oral and written
  • Individual must possess strong organizational, multitasking, and problem-solving skills and maintain flexibility in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment
  • Customer service oriented with both internal and external customers
  • Individual must be proficient with Microsoft Office products & a PC based environment
  • Interact and communicate effectively with others and manage multiple tasks simultaneously

Working Conditions
  • Working conditions typical of a climate controlled and professional office environment.
  • This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Requirements
  • Onsite / Hybrid work
  • The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

About Coherent

Coherent, Inc. is a global leader in providing laser-based solutions to a broad range of commercial and scientific research customers. The company designs, manufactures, and markets lasers, laser-based systems, precision optics, and related accessories for a diverse group of customers. Coherent's markets include scientific research, OEM components and instrumentation, microelectronics, materials processing, and life sciences. The company's products are used in a wide range of applications. Coherent was founded in 1966 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California.
Learn more about Coherent
Size
5,085 employees
Market Cap
$4.6 billion
Industry
Manufacturing & Automotive
Net Income
-$419.7 million
Founded
1966
5 Year Trend
+27.8%
Revenue
$1.2 billion
NASDAQ
COHR
* Ladders Estimates

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