VP of Legal/General Counsel

Who we are

Neros is a defense technology company rebuilding America’s drone industrial base. We design and manufacture high-performance unmanned systems that are tested in combat, iterated at startup speed, and built at massive scale. Our team culture is fast, hands-on, and obsessed with closing the gap between design and deployment.

As drones transform the character of warfare, Neros is delivering the systems the West needs to compete on the modern battlefield and deter the adversaries of democracy. We’re hiring engineers, operators, and builders who want to move fast, take on extreme ownership, and get capability into the hands of warfighters in months, not years.

What you will be doing

We are seeking a highly experienced General Counsel to lead all legal and compliance functions at Neros. This role will be responsible for shaping and overseeing our legal strategy across export compliance (EAR, ITAR), government contracting (FAR, DFARS), corporate governance, fundraising, and M&A. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in defense and dual-use technologies, combined with the ability to understand and advise on complex technical subjects. As a member of the leadership team, the General Counsel will play a key role in guiding Neros through rapid growth while ensuring we remain compliant, secure, and aligned with our mission.

Responsibilities

• Serve as chief legal advisor to the executive team and board of directors

• Lead all aspects of export compliance (EAR, ITAR) and related licensing, policies, and training

• Oversee government contracting and compliance with FAR, DFARS, and related requirements

• Ensure compliance with Secret and Top Secret program requirements

• Manage corporate governance, board processes, and company policies

• Advise on fundraising, venture financing, and M&A transactions

• Negotiate, draft, and review key contracts, including with government and defense partners

• Build and oversee legal processes to support rapid growth and product development

• Manage outside counsel and ensure cost-effective, high-quality legal services

• Partner closely with technical and business leaders to ensure legal alignment with product and operational decisions

You should have the following

• J.D. from an accredited law school and admission to at least one U.S. state bar

• 10+ years of legal experience, with a mix of top law firm and in-house roles preferred

• Deep expertise in export compliance (EAR, ITAR) and defense-related government contracting (FAR, DFARS)

• Strong grasp of technical subject matter in defense, aerospace, or advanced technology domains

• Experience operating within Classified environments

• The ability to obtain US Top Secret (TS) security clearance

• Experience with corporate governance, fundraising, and M&A transactions

• Exceptional judgment, strategic thinking, and communication skills

• Ability to operate independently in a fast-paced, mission-driven startup environment

US Salary Range

$250,000 – $300,000+

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are considered art of Neros' total compensation package.

We’re an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all applicants without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status