Deputy General Counsel

Merlin Labs

. Partner closely with the Chief Legal Officer to lead the company’s legal strategy and day-to-day execution across a public company environment.

Posted 4/21/2026full-timeBoston • Massachusetts • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorLeadWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Partner closely with the Chief Legal Officer to lead the company’s legal strategy and day-to-day execution across a public company environment.
Lead M&A transactions, joint ventures, and other strategic initiatives from term sheet through closing, including diligence, drafting and negotiating definitive agreements, and coordinating outside counsel. Support the CLO on capital markets transactions as needed.
Lead key regulatory and compliance efforts, particularly within aerospace, aviation, and autonomous systems frameworks, and support the ongoing development of global compliance programs including ethics, anti-corruption, and insider trading policies.
Own day-to-day commercial legal activities, serving as the primary point of contact for inbound contract requests from the business and independently drafting and negotiating teaming agreements, technology licenses, NDAs, and other commercial agreements; partner with and support government contracts professionals in connection with government prime contracts and subcontracts (including FAR/DFARS compliance).
Manage and mentor members of the legal team, oversee strategic consultants (including advisors engaged in support of business development, government affairs, and other external-facing initiatives), and coordinate external counsel to ensure high-quality, efficient legal support.
Support the CLO on public company securities law and corporate governance matters, including SEC reporting, Regulation FD compliance, and Board and committee work, working alongside the supporting paralegal on governance processes, with a meaningful opportunity to develop depth in these areas over time.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.
8+ years of legal experience, including a combination of top-tier law firm and in-house experience, with meaningful in-house exposure to a publicly traded or high-growth company.
Demonstrated ability to independently lead M&A transactions and complex commercial negotiations, including drafting and redlining definitive agreements with limited outside counsel support.
Comfort advising executive leadership and working collaboratively in a lean legal function where ownership and initiative are expected.
Experience drafting and negotiating a broad range of commercial agreements, including teaming agreements, government subcontracts, technology licenses, and strategic partnership arrangements.
Background in highly regulated industries such as aerospace, aviation, defense, or advanced technology.
Strong business acumen with the ability to balance legal risk with practical outcomes.
Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills with strong attention to detail.

Benefits

Comp & perks

catered lunches featuring a rotating menu of delicious options
an assortment of snacks to keep you fueled throughout the day
a selection of beverages, including coffee, tea, and other drinks
top-notch benefits package (health, dental, life, unlimited vacation, and 401k with match)

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

M&A transactionsdrafting agreementsnegotiating agreementscommercial agreementsgovernment contractsFAR complianceDFARS complianceSEC reportingcorporate governancelegal strategy

Soft Skills

leadershipcommunicationorganizational skillsattention to detailcollaborationinitiativebusiness acumenmentoringadvising executive leadershipindependent decision-making

Certifications

Juris Doctor (JD)active membership in U.S. state bar