Regulatory

Smith & Associates•Houston, TX

About The Position

Smith is the leading independent distributor of electronic components globally, supporting mission-critical supply chains across aerospace, defense, and advanced technology industries. As a trusted partner to government and defense organizations, we operate at the intersection of global commerce, regulatory complexity, and national security. We are seeking a Corporate Attorney with deep experience in aerospace and defense contracting to play a high-impact role advising leadership, shaping compliance strategy, and supporting complex global transactions. This role serves as a key legal advisor on government contracting, defense-related sales/procurement and export controls. You will partner cross-functionally with business, compliance, and supply chain teams to enable growth while managing regulatory risk in a dynamic, global environment.

Requirements

J.D. from an accredited law school and active bar membership.
Eligible for licensure as in-house counsel in Texas.
7+ years of relevant experience in government contracts, aerospace & defense, or export controls.
Strong working knowledge of ITAR, DPAS, FAR, DFARS, and U.S. export regulations.
Proven ability to balance legal risk with business objectives.
Ability to interact with multiple levels in an organization and in multiple jurisdictions.
Ability to work effectively with global legal and compliance teams, with an international mind-set.

Nice To Haves

Experience advising business stakeholders in a fast-paced, commercial environment preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as a strategic legal partner on government and defense contracting matters.
Advise on FAR/DFARS compliance, subcontracting, and sales strategy.
Lead the drafting, review, and negotiation of complex government and commercial agreements.
Interpret and provide guidance on ITAR, export controls, rated orders and DoD regulations.
Identify and proactively mitigate legal and compliance risks impacting business operations.
Develop and enhance scalable compliance frameworks and policies.
Partner with leadership to support growth initiatives within aerospace and defense sectors.
Draft, review and negotiate purchasing, sales and other government and commercial agreements, with focus on military and defense related procurements.
Deliver training and thought leadership on regulatory requirements to internal stakeholders.
Conduct legal research on regulatory requirements, government contracts and subcontracts.
Develop and implement risk mitigation and compliance framework for the military and defense group.