Deputy General Counsel, National Security
About The Position
Red Cell Partners is hiring a mission-driven Deputy General Counsel to support its national security companies and join a high-performing legal team. The role provides business-minded legal support and leadership to enable innovation and growth across new and existing national security companies. Reporting directly to the General Counsel, the Deputy General Counsel will advise and help build national security companies, with broad exposure to Red Cell’s work. The position owns the national security portfolio end-to-end, setting legal strategy and risk posture, making decisions on most matters, and escalating issues that belong with the General Counsel. The role serves as the senior legal voice for supported companies and works with employees at every level, from engineers to C-suite leaders and boards. The work includes addressing facility clearance questions, reviewing organizational conflict of interest mitigation plans, negotiating prime-subcontractor agreements, and supporting new incubations from formation through equity issuance and company development. The position also offers exposure to emerging AI technologies, both through company incubations and internal teams’ use of new tools. Red Cell describes its culture as hard-working, respectful, high-standard, and good-humored.
Requirements
- J.D. and current license to practice in good standing in a U.S. jurisdiction.
- At least 12 years of legal experience.
- At least 8 years working with defense technology companies, government contractors, other national security companies, or in government.
- Eligibility to obtain a U.S. security clearance.
- Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating government contracts, including FAR- and DFARS-based contracts, SBIRs, OTAs, and other non-traditional government acquisition vehicles.
- Familiarity with defense technology regulatory regimes, including ITAR/EAR export controls, CMMC, and CFIUS/FOCI.
- Ability to exercise sound independent judgment on ambiguous, high-stakes questions, set direction, and take initiative.
- Team-oriented, high-energy, and proactive approach.
Nice To Haves
- Law firm and in-house experience touching national security, defense, or government contracting.
- Experience with government contract types for software or SaaS.
- Experience supporting venture-backed or high-growth startups.
- Active U.S. security clearance.
- Experience using AI legal technology or other productivity tools.
- Experience leading a legal function or practice area, advising boards and executives directly, owning risk decisions, and mentoring more junior lawyers.
Responsibilities
- Advise and help build Red Cell’s national security companies, providing business-minded legal support and leadership.
- Own the national security legal portfolio end-to-end, including setting strategy and risk posture and making decisions on most matters.
- Escalate matters to the General Counsel when appropriate.
- Serve as the senior legal voice for supported companies and advise engineers, executives, and boards.
- Address facility clearance questions and review organizational conflict of interest mitigation plans.
- Draft, review, and negotiate prime-subcontractor agreements and other government contracts.
- Support new national security incubations from entity formation and equity issuance through company development.
- Lead a legal function or practice area and mentor more junior lawyers.
Benefits
- Career-track opportunity with potential for rapid advancement as the firm grows.
- 100% employer-paid comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families.
- 14 weeks of paid maternity and paternity leave at normal pay.
- Unlimited PTO, with management approval.
- Professional development and continued learning opportunities.
- Optional 401(k), FSA, and equity incentives.
- Mental health benefits through Tara Mind.
- Cost-effective GLP-1 solutions through Crux.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
