Legal Counsel

About the role

Cape is building a new model for how secure mobile networks operate at scale, and the Legal Counsel will be central to that execution. You will own the full lifecycle of legal work across the business, from initial concept to execution and ongoing management. This role requires a generalist mindset, comfortable shifting between regulatory strategy, contract drafting, and policy analysis without warning. You will act as a trusted advisor to commercial, engineering, and government teams, translating complex legal constraints into actionable business decisions. The position demands a high degree of ownership, where you identify problems before they arise and build processes to prevent future friction. You will be instrumental in establishing the legal foundation that allows Cape to move with speed while maintaining rigorous compliance. This is a role for someone who wants to build a function from the ground up and see the direct impact of their work on the company's trajectory.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Orchestrate end-to-end management of corporate agreements, ensuring execution of MSAs and NDAs aligns with Cape's velocity and risk appetite.
• Partner with the federal and enterprise sales teams to negotiate and finalize government contracts, navigating complex procurement requirements and clauses.
• Drive the development and maintenance of internal legal templates, standardizing processes for confidentiality, commercial, and regulatory documentation.
• Lead proactive monitoring of regulatory obligations, including telecommunications licensing and FCC compliance, to mitigate potential exposure.
• Collaborate with engineering and product leadership to assess legal risks associated with new features, AI implementations, and network architectures.
• Manage a portfolio of outside counsel relationships, directing strategy and controlling costs while maintaining high standards for service delivery.
• Provide day-to-day legal support to internal stakeholders, covering employment matters, vendor agreements, and operational reviews.
• Analyze emerging privacy and security regulations, translating technical requirements into policies and controls for the organization.
• Serve as a cross-functional problem solver, engaging with leadership to align legal strategy with business objectives and growth plans.
• Establish key performance indicators for the legal function, tracking metrics related to contract cycle time, risk reduction, and stakeholder satisfaction.

Requirements

• Admission to the bar in good standing and possession of a Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• Current and active membership in good standing with the bar association of at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Typically, a minimum of 6-8 years of post-JD legal experience, including foundational training at a top-tier law firm.
• Demonstrated ability to operate independently in fast-paced, ambiguous environments where playbooks are rarely provided.
• A proven interest in applying legal expertise within a high-growth technology or infrastructure startup environment.
• Comfort engaging directly with senior executives, engineers, and external experts to dissect complex problems and co-create solutions.
• Experience with government contracting processes, federal acquisition regulations, and technology-related procurements is essential.
• Strong judgment and discretion when handling sensitive information related to national security, privacy, and commercial strategy.
• Willingness to be the first point of ownership for initiatives that have not previously been addressed within the company.
• Commitment to leveraging technology and AI tools to enhance legal workflows, improve accuracy, and scale operational capacity.

Nice to have

• Prior experience in the telecommunications, infrastructure, or highly regulated industry sectors.
• Familiarity with privacy frameworks and data protection regulations impacting global communications.

Practical notes

• This is a full-time role based in Arlington, VA.
• Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship for this position.
• The role requires travel to customer and government sites as needed.
• Cape provides the necessary tools and technology to perform remote duties if required under policy.
• The start date is aligned with business needs and should be coordinated with the hiring manager.