General Counsel

About the role

Antares is on the lookout for its inaugural General Counsel, a pivotal role aimed at creating and overseeing the legal and compliance framework for the organization. This position is integral to the development and deployment of nuclear microreactors, guiding the process from early prototyping stages to full-scale commercial production. As a vital strategic partner to the CEO and the executive team, you will play a crucial role during a significant growth phase for the company.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Serve as the primary in-house legal authority, providing guidance to all departments, including engineering, operations, finance, and business development.
• Manage government contracts and federally funded projects, overseeing proposal evaluations, negotiations, and compliance with reporting and data rights.
• Act as the principal legal liaison for interactions and obligations with federal entities such as the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Defense (DoD).
• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of commercial agreements, including non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), vendor contracts, manufacturing agreements, and strategic partnerships.
• Provide legal expertise on nuclear regulatory issues, including licensing from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), DOE frameworks, and the handling of nuclear materials.
• Develop and implement the company's export controls compliance program, addressing International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR), along with associated policies, training, and data handling procedures.
• Oversee external legal counsel for specialized areas such as intellectual property, litigation, and corporate legal matters.
• Build the company's legal infrastructure, which includes document retention policies, contract lifecycle management, and corporate governance frameworks.
• Create standardized templates and negotiation guidelines for contracts to enhance the efficiency of legal processes as the company scales.
• Provide ongoing legal support, delivering practical advice that aligns business goals with legal compliance and risk management.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school and an active membership in the bar.
• A minimum of 12 years of legal experience in relevant fields.
• Proficiency in at least two of the following areas: government contracting, nuclear or regulated environments, or export controls.
• Demonstrated experience in managing government contracts, particularly under FAR/DFARS regulations and funded programs.
• Direct experience in establishing or leading an export controls compliance program, specifically related to ITAR and/or EAR.
• Familiarity with commercial contracts and regulatory challenges.

Nice to have

• Previous experience as a General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel within a rapidly growing technology or deep tech firm.
• Knowledge of NRC licensing, DOE contracting mechanisms (such as Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA) and Work for Others (WFO)), and regulations concerning nuclear materials.
• Experience in supporting board governance, venture financing, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions.
• A broad legal background across various domains, including contracts, intellectual property, and export compliance.
• Proven success in a startup environment, demonstrating the ability to manage ambiguity and a diverse range of responsibilities.

Skills & tools

• Familiarity with FAR/DFARS regulations
• Knowledge of ITAR and EAR compliance
• Understanding of NRC licensing processes
• Experience with DOE regulatory frameworks

Practical notes

• This position may require working extended hours and weekends to meet critical deadlines.
• Occasional travel to regulatory sites may be necessary.
• To comply with U.S. export regulations, applicants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees, or must be eligible to obtain the necessary authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Join Antares as we embark on an exciting journey in the nuclear technology sector. If you are a seasoned legal professional with a passion for innovation and compliance, we encourage you to apply for this unique opportunity to shape the future of our legal framework and contribute to groundbreaking advancements in energy technology.

About the company

Antares is the brightest star in the constellation of Scorpius. It has the Bayer designation α Scorpii, which is Latinised to Alpha Scorpii. Often referred to as "the heart of the scorpion", Antares is flanked by σ Scorpii and τ Scorpii near the center of the constellation.