Principal, Counsel (Aviation)

Principal, Counsel (Aviation)

Location: Texas (Greenville / Plano / Rockwall County / Waco) Full Time

Work Environment

• Hybrid/on-site presence across Texas locations (Greenville, Plano, Rockwall County, Waco)
• Occasional travel required
• High-impactrole supporting ISR sector operations

Ideal Candidate

An experienced aviation legal professional with deep expertise in aircraft transactions and government contracting. The ideal candidate is a proactive legal partner who can navigate complex regulatory environments, mitigate risks, and support business growth while maintaining strong compliance and ethical standards. The Principal, Counsel (Aviation) serves as a strategic legal advisor and business partner within the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) sector. This role provides proactive legal guidance on complex aviation, government contracting, and business operations matters, ensuring compliance, risk mitigation, and alignment with corporate objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Advisory & Business Partnership

• Act as a trusted advisor to leadership on legal, regulatory, and business risks
• Provide strategic counsel aligned with organizational and sector objectives
• Support international and domestic operations with legal expertise

Contracts & Transactional Law

• Draft, review, negotiate, and interpret complex agreements including:
  • Aircraft purchase agreements
  • Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) agreements
  • Government and commercial contracts
• Provide guidance on contract provisions, risk allocation, and compliance

Risk Management & Compliance

• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal and operational risks
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, local, and international laws
• Align business practices with corporate policies and regulatory frameworks

Dispute Resolution & Legal Strategy

• Lead dispute resolution strategies and negotiations
• Conduct legal research and analysis on complex matters
• Develop and present legal strategies to leadership

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with operations, supply chain, and subcontract teams
• Ensure contractual risks are properly flowed down to suppliers and subcontractors
• Engage with customers and external stakeholders on legal matters

Continuous Legal Oversight

• Monitor ongoing legal and regulatory issues
• Stay updated on evolving laws, aviation regulations, and defense industry trends

Must-Have Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
• Active license to practice law (Texas preferred or ability to obtain)
• Ability to obtain DoD Secret Security Clearance (US Citizenship required)
• 10+ years of legal experience in aviation, aerospace, or defense sectors
• Extensive experience with:
  • Aircraft purchase agreements
  • Maintenance Repair & Overhaul (MRO) contracts
  • Complex commercial and government contracts

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong experience with U.S. DoD and government contracting
• Experience supporting international aviation transactions
• Excellent negotiation, drafting, and dispute resolution skills
• Strong ethical standards and compliance-driven mindset
• Ability to operate in high-growth, complex environments

Core Competencies

• Aviation & Aerospace Law
• Government Contracts (DoD)
• Contract Negotiation & Drafting
• Risk Management & Compliance
• Legal Strategy & Advisory
• Stakeholder & Cross-functional Collaboration
• Dispute Resolution

Government Careers

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