Legal & IP Counsel – In‑house role for defense AI startup

About the role

Alta Ares is seeking its first in‑house Legal & IP Counsel to build and lead the legal function for a fast‑growing AI‑driven defence company. Reporting directly to the CEO and COO, you will protect the company’s intellectual property, negotiate commercial agreements with defence clients, and ensure solid corporate and regulatory foundations as the business scales internationally.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and manage the IP strategy, including patents, trade secrets, software copyrights and know‑how across all product lines.
• Lead patent filing processes with external attorneys, draft invention disclosures, and maintain the patent portfolio.
• Define and enforce internal IP protection policies, employee assignment clauses and open‑source usage governance.
• Conduct IP due‑diligence for partnerships, licensing deals and potential acquisitions.
• Monitor competitive IP landscape and flag freedom‑to‑operate risks.
• Draft, review and negotiate commercial contracts, MOUs, teaming agreements, NDAs, subcontracting and licensing agreements.
• Own the contract lifecycle: template creation, negotiation support, execution tracking and renewals.
• Advise on defence procurement contracts across French DGA, NATO, EU institutions, UK MOD and US DoD frameworks.
• Review and negotiate grant agreements under EU defence funding mechanisms (EDF, EUDIS, Horizon Europe).
• Identify and mitigate contractual risk in multi‑party, multi‑jurisdiction arrangements.

Required profile

• Qualified lawyer with experience in intellectual property, commercial contracts and corporate law.
• Proven track record handling IP strategy and patent processes for technology‑focused companies.
• Familiarity with defence procurement regulations and multi‑jurisdictional contract negotiations.
• Ability to set up legal processes, templates and infrastructure from scratch.
• Strong analytical skills and discretion in a high‑sensitivity environment.

Required skills