What are the responsibilities and job description for the Legal Counsel - Business Aviation position at Standard Aero?
Build an Aviation Career You're Proud Of
At StandardAero, we use our ingenuity and know-how to find solutions for the simple to the most complex challenges in aviation. Together, we get the job done and done well. Our stability, resources, and respectful culture supports you in building a solid career with a great team you can count on day in and day out for the long term.
The Legal Counsel - Business Aviation role reports directly to StandardAero's Assistant General Counsel - Business Aviation and serves as a legal advisor to StandardAero's Business Aviation division. This role provides strategic and practical legal guidance across commercial contracting, regulatory compliance, risk management, and operational matters supporting global MRO operations. The position partners closely with division executives, operations, sales, supply chain, quality, finance, and HR to enable business objectives while managing legal, regulatory, and reputational risk.
This role requires a strong understanding of aviation operations, customer and supplier contracts, employment law, and regulated industrial environments, combined with the ability to operate as a trusted advisor in a fast-paced, customer-focused business.
Location: Scottsdale, AZ or Dallas, TX
What you'll do:
Commercial & Contracting Support
- Draft, review, analyze, and negotiate customer contracts, master service agreements, proposals and requests for proposals, pricing terms, warranties, indemnities, and liability frameworks.
- Advise on supplier and vendor agreements, including parts sourcing, tooling, and service providers.
- Support negotiation of long-term agreements with OEMs, operators, and fleet customers, as well as dealer agreements, intellectual property licensing agreements, agent and sales intermediary agreements, and non-disclosure agreements.
Regulatory & Compliance Oversight
- Review and analyze FAA, EASA, and international equivalent regulations and advise on aviation regulatory requirements and compliance obligations applicable to business aviation MRO operations.
- Partner with Quality, Safety, and Compliance teams to manage regulatory risk and audit responses.
- Support investigations, incident response, and corrective actions as needed. Serve as the division legal point of contact for anti-corruption and trade compliance matters, coordinating with corporate anti-corruption and trade compliance teams.
Risk Management & Dispute Resolution
- Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks related to operations, contracts, and customer relationships.
- Manage claims, disputes, and litigation, including discovery and e-discovery, lien filings, secured transactions, abandoned assets, and demand and response letters, in coordination with internal stakeholders and external counsel.
- Support insurance matters and risk transfer strategies.
Cross-Functional Partnership
- Collaborate closely with Finance on pricing structures, commercial risk, and revenue recognition considerations.
- Partner with HR on employee relations matters, investigations, litigation, and policy application within the division.
- Work with Supply Chain and Operations on sourcing, logistics, and performance issues.
Transactions & Strategic Initiatives
- Provide legal support for division-level strategic initiatives, including site expansions, customer programs, and integration activities.
- Support M&A activity impacting the Business Aviation Division, including diligence and integration planning.
Governance, Policies & Training
- Ensure division alignment with corporate legal policies, standards, and governance requirements. Develop and improve contract management and administration processes, policies, and procedures in coordination with the legal team and business stakeholders.
- Develop and deliver legal and compliance training tailored to business aviation operations.
- Promote a culture of integrity, accountability, and compliance.
Position Requirements:
- Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and active license to practice law.
- Minimum seven (7) years of relevant transactional legal experience in a law firm or in-house legal department.
- Strong experience with commercial contracts and operational legal support.
- Proven ability to partner with senior business leaders and influence outcomes.
- Excellent judgment, communication, writing, presentation, and problem-solving skills; ability to manage deadlines and balance competing priorities.
- Travel may be required up to 20% of the time.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in aerospace, aviation, manufacturing, or MRO environments.
- Familiarity with aviation regulatory frameworks and safety-critical operations.
- Experience supporting global or multi-site operations.
- Background in dispute management, investigations, or compliance programs. General knowledge of anti-bribery laws, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, U.K. Bribery Act, and Canadian Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act, and trade compliance matters, including ITAR, EAR, and global sanctions, preferred.
Benefits that make life better:
- Comprehensive Healthcare
- 401(k) with 100% company match; up to 5% vested
- Paid Time Off starting on day one
- Bonus opportunities
- Health- & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- Short- & Long-Term Disability
- Life & AD&D Insurance
- Learning & Training opportunities
StandardAero is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, pregnancy, age, national or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, genetic information, status as a protected veteran, and basis of disability status or any other federal, state or local protected class.