General Counsel Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

About Electra

At Electra, we're building the EL9 - a nine-passenger, hybrid-electric aircraft that takes off and lands in 150 feet. Our Ultra Short technology unlocks thousands of new operating locations and enables what we call Direct Aviation: quiet, point-to-point regional travel that gets people from where they are to where they want to go, without the congestion of major airports or the noise of conventional aviation.

A global company, headquartered in Manassas, VA, Electra is backed by Lockheed Martin, Honeywell, and Safran, has filed for FAA Part 23 type certification, and carries 2,000+ intent to purchase from operators worldwide. We're a team of ~100 people moving fast toward first EL9 test flights in 2027 and certification by late 2029 or 2030. Every hire matters at this stage - and this role is no exception.

The Role

As Electra's General Counsel, you'll be the company's most senior legal leader, building and running the legal function as we move from certification to commercialization. You'll report directly to the CEO, sit on the leadership team, and own every major legal workstream: corporate governance, securities and financing matters, commercial and supplier contracts, government contracting (FAR requirements), IP protection and licensing, employment law, litigation and risk management, and compliance matters (to include ITAR/EAR export control, FCPA and ethics.).

This is a build role. You'll establish the legal function's structure, select and manage outside counsel across specialty areas, and create the policies and processes that let Electra scale responsibly as we grow toward commercialization: from first flight to certification to production. You'll work closely with the CEO, CFO, VP of People Operations, and the full leadership team, and you'll be a direct partner to the Board on governance and disclosure matters.

What You'll Do

• Serve as chief legal advisor to the CEO, executive team, and Board of Directors on all corporate, regulatory, and risk matters
• Build and lead Electra's internal legal function, including hiring and managing legal staff and directing outside counsel across specialty areas
• Own corporate governance, including Board and committee support, corporate records, and equity administration
• Lead legal work on capital raises, financing transactions, and investor agreements in partnership with the CFO, including the potential for IPO preparation
• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements, including supplier, customer, partnership, and consulting agreements
• Manage legal execution of strategic transactions, to include support and incentive agreements with government entities and transactions with industry partners
• Oversee export control compliance (ITAR/EAR), including classification determinations, licensing, and training in partnership with People Operations and Engineering
• Advise on FAA regulatory matters and support certification-related legal work in coordination with the certification and engineering teams
• Manage government contracting and FAR compliance as Electra's government-facing programs and partnerships expand
• Oversee intellectual property strategy, including patent, trademark, and trade secret protection
• Manage litigation, disputes, and claims, including selection and oversight of outside litigation counsel
• Partner with People Operations on employment law matters, policy development, and workforce compliance
• Build and maintain a company-wide compliance program, including policies, training, and reporting mechanisms
• Advise on risk management and insurance strategy across the business

What You Bring

• D. and active bar membership in good standing; Virginia bar admission or ability to obtain in-house counsel registration
• 20+ years of legal experience, including significant in-house experience; general counsel or deputy general counsel experience strongly preferred
• Strong background in corporate law, securities, and M&A; experience supporting financing rounds or capital markets transactions
• Experience managing outside counsel across multiple specialty areas and jurisdictions
• Demonstrated ability to build legal function infrastructure - policies, processes, and governance - at a growth-stage company
• Excellent judgment and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal issues into clear guidance for non-legal executives
• Comfort operating as a hands-on, early legal hire in a fast-moving, resource-constrained environment
• US Person (Citizen or Permanent Resident) required

Bonus Points

• Experience in aerospace, aviation, or defense, including familiarity with FAA regulatory processes
• Direct experience with ITAR/EAR export control compliance and licensing
• Experience with FAR and government contracting (GovCon) requirements
• Experience advising a company through an IPO or late-stage private financing
• Familiarity with hardware or IP-intensive businesses and associated licensing and protection strategies

Compensation

Compensation for this role will be shared during the interview process and is based on experience, market benchmarks, and internal equity. Electra posts good-faith compensation ranges in compliance with applicable state pay transparency laws.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and equity
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance; STD, LTD, and life insurance
• Generous PTO, sick leave, and company holidays
• Paid winter break
• 401(k) with immediate vesting
• Free catered lunches, coffee, snacks, and drinks at our Manassas headquarters
• Free on-site parking