Legal Counsel, Export Control
HelsingWashington, District of Columbia, United States · Posted 2 days agoDescription
Who we are
Helsing develops artificial intelligence-enabled capabilities to protect and defend democracies. We are growing our US operations, cultivating an ambitious and committed team of mission-driven professionals to apply their skills to solve challenging problems.
The role
As Helsing grows its presence in the United States and deepens its work with the US Government, we require a Legal Counsel to own the export control function and contribute across a broader legal remit. This role sits within Helsing's US entity and is central to how we operate responsibly and competitively in the US market.
You will be Helsing's subject matter expert on US export controls, trade compliance, and technology transfer. You will work closely with our engineering, business development, and government affairs teams to ensure that the way we develop and deploy our technology is legally sound and operationally enabling.
This is a hands-on role. You will be doing the work, building the frameworks, and sitting at the table when it matters. You will also serve as a critical bridge between Helsing's US entity and its European operations — helping to manage the cross-border legal complexity that comes with being a transatlantic defense technology company.
Beyond export control, you will contribute to the broader legal function — supporting commercial contracting with US Government customers and defense primes, employment matters, and general corporate legal work as the US entity scales.
The day-to-day
- Own Helsing's US export control compliance program, with primary focus on ITAR (USML classifications, TAA and MLA licensing, DS-2032 registrations) and EAR (CCL classifications, BIS licensing, deemed export controls)
- Advise on the classification of Helsing's AI software and technology under the USML and CCL, including navigating the evolving controls landscape around AI, software, and emerging technologies
- Manage license applications and interactions with DDTC and BIS; maintain Helsing's ITAR registration and associated compliance obligations
- Design and implement technology transfer controls, including for cross-border collaboration with Helsing's European teams and partners — understanding the US-nexus implications of working with a transatlantic company
- Build and deliver internal training programs; develop scalable compliance policies and procedures appropriate to a fast-growing defense technology company
- Advise on OFAC sanctions considerations as they intersect with Helsing's business
- Support due diligence on partnerships, customer relationships, and corporate transactions from a trade compliance perspective
- Monitor regulatory developments — including evolving AI-specific export controls — and assess their implications for Helsing's products and strategy
- Draft, negotiate, and advise on contracts with US Government agencies, defense primes, and commercial partners, including familiarity with FAR/DFARS and government contracting frameworks
- Contribute to building Helsing's US legal infrastructure as the entity scales
You should apply if you
- Meaningful experience in US export controls (ITAR and EAR) gained in-house, at a law firm, or within a government or regulatory context
- Deep familiarity with the defense or defense technology sector and you are comfortable operating close to classified and sensitive programs
- The ability to give clear, actionable advice under uncertainty and time pressure - Helsing moves fast and needs a lawyer who enables the mission
- Experience working directly with engineering or product teams to build compliance frameworks that are rigorous without being operationally paralyzing
- Comfort operating in a lean, fast-moving environment where you will need to build as much as you advise
- JD from an accredited US law school; admitted to practice in DC, VA, MD, and/or WV
- US citizen (required — this role involves access to export-controlled information and supports a business operating in the national security space)
Note: We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all the listed qualifications; ability and impact cannot be summarized in a few bullet points.
Nice to have
- Familiarity with European export control regimes — particularly German export control law (AWG/AWV) and EU Dual-Use regulations — or experience advising a European company operating in the US market
- Understanding of the compliance interface between ITAR/EAR and foreign export control frameworks, including Technology Assistance Agreements with transatlantic dimensions
- Experience with FOCI (Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence) considerations and mitigation structures
- Prior in-house experience at a defense, aerospace, or defense technology company
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