Senior Commercial Counsel, Aerospace

Woodward is committed to creating a great workplace for all team members. Our company and its members are committed to acting with integrity, being respectful and accountable to one another, and staying humble and driven, while maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards.

We are steadfastly committed to attracting the best talent across our communities creating a rewarding workplace. Together we are fulfilling our purpose to design and deliver energy control solutions our partners count on to power a clean future.

Woodward supports our members’ wellbeing and regularly benchmarks with other companies in our industry to offer an extensive Total Reward package for this position. Salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

• Estimated annual base pay: $114,400.00(minimum) - $143,000.00(midpoint) - $171,000.00(maximum)
  • All members included in annual cash bonus opportunity.
  • 401(k) match (4.5%)
  • Annual Woodward stock contribution (5%)
  • Tuition reimbursement and Training/Professional Development opportunities for all members

• 12 paid holidays, including floating holidays.
• Industry leading medical, dental, and vision Insurance upon date of hire

• Vacation / Sick Time / Vacation Buy-up / Short Term Disability / Bereavement leave.
• Paid parental leave.
• Adoption Assistance
• Employee Assistance Program, including mental health benefits.
• Member Life & AD&D / Long Term Disability / Member Optional Life
• Member referral bonus

• Spouse / Child Optional Life / Optional AD&D / Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending
• Voluntary benefits, including:

• Home / Auto Insurance discounts
• Whole Life Insurance / Critical Illness Insurance / Legal Assistance / Military Leave

Are you ready to make your mark? If you’re a Senior Counsel, Commercial we have an exciting opportunity for you. Woodward, Inc. is seeking an experienced Senior Counsel, Commercial to provide strategic legal support for a broad range of commercial and transactional matters in its Aerospace business segment. The ideal candidate will have strong commercial contracting experience, preferably in the aerospace or manufacturing sector, and will collaborate closely with internal stakeholders across business units and geographies. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to Woodward’s mission while navigating a dynamic regulatory environment and partnering cross-functionally to enable business success. This role is hybrid, with in-office presence expected three days a week at one of our sites in Niles, Illinois; Rockford, Illinois; Fort Collins, Colorado; or Santa Clarita, California.

What You Will Be Doing

• Advice and Counsel: Serve as a senior level legal advisor for a portfolio of Aerospace segment business programs and contracts.
• Contract Drafting and Review: Review, interpret and support the negotiation of complex commercial agreements.
• Transaction Support: Support Advise on mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships, including due diligence, structuring, and integration support.
• Policy & Process Improvement: Contribute to the development of contract templates, negotiation guidelines, and training to enhance commercial practices.
• Dispute Management: Handle pre-litigation commercial disputes, coordinating with external counsel as needed to mitigate risks.
• Risk Assessment and Compliance: Support and implement corporate legal initiatives and policies within the commercial business segment.
• Legal Expertise in relevant regulatory, compliance, and contract matters.
• Strategic Thinking with the ability to balance legal risk and business objectives.
• Communication Skills to provide clear, concise legal guidance to technical and non-legal stakeholders.
• Problem-Solving Ability to resolve disputes and support decision-making.
• Business Acumen to align legal support with long-term business goals.
• Project Management to lead legal aspects of key commercial initiatives efficiently.

What We Are Looking For

• J.D. from an ABA accredited law school and licensed to practice in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 6+ years of experience in commercial law or a related area, preferably with experience in a corporate legal department or aviation/aerospace/manufacturing sector.
• Expertise with contract law, compliance, and regulatory frameworks relevant to the aerospace or industrial manufacturing with and international locations
• Familiarity with U.S. government contracting, and other regulatory frameworks applicable
• Familiarity with FAA, EASA or other airworthiness regulations is a plus
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.
• Strong negotiation skills and sound judgment in managing legal risk.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to explain complex legal issues to non-legal audiences.
• Experience supporting business negotiations and managing legal risk in a global environment.
• Ability to work independently and as a trusted advisor within a cross-functional team.

Application window is anticipated to close 30 days from original posting date.

This information is provided in compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act and is the company’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation range and benefits offered for this position. The compensation offered to the successful applicant may vary based on factors including experience, skills, education, location, and other job-related reasons.

This position requires use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be U.S. Persons within the meaning of the ITAR and EAR, or eligible to obtain all required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce. The ITAR defines a U.S. Person as a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident (i.e., 'Green Card holder'), or a protected person (e.g., asylee, or refugee).

Woodward is an Equal Opportunity Employer

EO/AA/M/F/Disabled/Protected Veterans

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