Description

About ForterraAt Forterra, we are unleashing autonomy at scale to transform the battlefield. Our mission is to build the foundational platforms that enable an intelligent ecosystem to coordinate, adapt, and execute with speed and precision even in the uncertainty and disruption of modern conflict. In an era marked by rapid technological change and evolving threats, we design for flexibility, survivability, and operational dominance.Forterra delivers weapons, sensors, and battlefield effects through integrated autonomous networks reaching operational areas faster, safer, and without placing human lives at risk. Our systems operate with distributed control, dynamic routing, and real-time responsiveness, enabling sustained advantage across complex mission environments.

About the role

Forterra is seeking a highly skilled Counsel to join its Legal team with primary responsibility for supply chain, while assisting with Growth, Operations, and Technology Transactions. This role requires deep experience supporting complex hardware and software supply chains in regulated environments, including the defense industrial base. The Counsel will serve as a key legal partner to supply chain, operations, engineering, and finance, providing practical, risk-based guidance across sourcing, manufacturing, logistics, and vendor relationships. 

The ideal candidate brings both strategic insight and hands-on execution, with the ability to independently manage complex negotiations, design scalable contracting frameworks, and advise on supply chain risk, compliance, and resilience in a rapidly evolving environment. 

What you'll do

Independently draft, negotiate, and manage a broad range of supply chain and technology agreements, including supplier master agreements, long-term supply agreements, contract manufacturing, subcontracting, logistics, and professional services / consulting agreements. Serve as the primary legal advisor to supply chain and operations, leading supplier negotiations and advising on sourcing strategies and commercial risk allocation, including indemnification, liability, IP ownership, and termination. Advise on legal and regulatory requirements impacting Forterra's supply chain, including ITAR, EAR, DFARS, Buy American Act, TAA, counterfeit parts prevention, and supplier cybersecurity requirements. Support supplier diligence, onboarding, and risk assessments, including evaluation of financial stability, geopolitical risk, sanctions exposure, and compliance posture. Develop and maintain standard supply chain contract templates, playbooks, training, and escalation frameworks to support efficient scaling of operations. Partner cross-functionally with engineering, quality, security, and program teams on manufacturing readiness, product changes, obsolescence, and end-of-life planning. Provide guidance on intellectual property protection and licensing in supplier and manufacturing relationships, including background IP, foreground IP, and data rights. Support government and prime contractor programs by aligning supplier terms with customer flow-down requirements and program obligations. Advise on disputes, claims, demands, and supplier performance issues, working closely with internal stakeholders to achieve timely and practical resolutions. Monitor legal, regulatory, and industry developments affecting defense and advanced technology supply chains and proactively advise leadership on emerging risks and mitigation strategies. Assist with broader transactional, commercial, and corporate matters, as needed. 

Minimum Qualifications

6+ years of relevant hands-on experience, including significant experience advising on supply chain, manufacturing, and technology transactions, preferably in the defense, aerospace, robotics, or advanced manufacturing sectors. Demonstrated expertise in negotiating complex supplier and service agreements, as well as familiarity with government contracting. Strong working knowledge of export controls, defense procurement regulations, and supply chain compliance requirements. Proven ability to operate independently while partnering closely with cross-functional business teams. High integrity, strong attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. Comfort working with evolving technologies, hardware / software integration, and mission-critical systems. Candidates must also be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. 

Preferred Qualifications

Currently holds an active secret clearance A combination of both law firm and in-house experience, preferably in defense Experience with international or cross-border transactions involving defense technology 

Location

On-Site in Arlington, VA

 

The salary range for this role is an estimate and is based on a wide variety of compensation factors. The salary offered to candidates will vary based on a variety of factors including (but not limited to) relevant work experience, education, specialized training, critical expertise, training, and more. Equity in Forterra is included in most of our full-time, high-demand roles and is therefore considered part of Forterra's overall compensation package. In addition to base salary and equity, Forterra offers competitive benefits for full-time employees including:

Premium Healthcare Benefits: Three plan options, including an HSA-eligible plan, with Forterra covering 80% of the plan premium for you and your dependents.  Basic Life/AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance plans 100% covered by Forterra, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a winter break in December.Competitive paid time off (PTO) offering 20 days accrued per year.A minimum of 7 weeks fully paid parental leave for birth/adoption. A $9k annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.Fully stocked beverage refrigerators with all the Celsius your little heart desires. 401(k) retirement savings plan, including traditional, Roth 401(k), and after-tax deferral with company match up to 4%.

Your recruiter will be able to share more information about our salary and benefits offering during the hiring process.

CLEARANCE ELIGIBILITY - This position may require eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. For more information about U.S. Security Clearances: click here.   

Forterra is an equal-opportunity employer, providing and promoting equal employment opportunity in all personnel practices. Forterrans are unique, talented individuals who are united through a shared passion to deliver autonomous systems that enable national resilience and a robust supply chain.  

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any factor, including veteran and disability status, and criminal history, in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Forterra is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.

To see Forterra's candidate data privacy policy, please visit Forterra Legal | Job Applicant Privacy Notice. 

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