Associate General Counsel, Labor and Employment

Amentum is a global leader in advanced engineering and innovative technology solutions, trusted by the United States and its allies to address their most significant and complex challenges in science, security and sustainability. Headquartered in Virginia, we have more than 53,000 employees in approximately 80 countries across all 7 continents.

Amentum seeks an Associate General Counsel of Labor and Employment to lead the company’s labor and employment legal function, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and international employment laws and regulations. This role will serve as the primary legal advisor on all workforce-related matters, including labor relations, employee benefits, litigation, workplace policies, and government contracting compliance. The position requires expertise in employment law for federal contractors, including compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), Service Contract Act (SCA), Davis-Bacon Act, OFCCP regulations, and other applicable laws. This is a HYBRID or REMOTE role, we prefer a candidate local to Chantilly or Herndon, VA who can work on-site when needed. US Citizenship is required.

We are seeking a candidate with in-house GovCon experience and law firm experience. 12+ years of labor and employment law experience, preferably with a combination of working in-house for a government contractor and also having law firm experience.

Key Responsibilities:

Legal Advisory & Compliance:

• Provide strategic legal counsel on labor and employment law matters, including hiring, compensation, employee relations, investigations, discipline, and termination. 
• Ensure compliance with U.S. and international labor laws, including federal contractor requirements (e.g., FAR, DFARS, SCA, DBA, OFCCP). 
• Advise on wage and hour compliance, employee classification, and workplace safety (OSHA). 
• Develop and implement company-wide labor and employment policies. 

Labor Relations & Union Negotiations:

• Serve as the primary legal advisor on collective bargaining agreements and union negotiations. 
• Manage labor disputes, grievances, and arbitrations. 
• Lead union avoidance strategies while ensuring compliance with labor laws. 
• Represent the company in dealings with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). 

Litigation & Risk Management:

• Oversee and manage employment-related litigation, arbitration, and administrative proceedings. 
• Respond to and defend against claims from the EEOC, DOL, OFCCP, and other regulatory bodies. 
• Partner with HR and Ethics & Compliance to conduct internal investigations of workplace misconduct, discrimination, harassment, and whistleblower complaints. 
• Assess risks associated with employment policies and decisions, providing recommendations to mitigate potential liabilities. 

Mergers, Acquisitions & Business Operations:

• Advise on labor and employment aspects of M&A transactions, including due diligence and workforce integration. 
• Provide guidance on employee-related risks in government contract bids, transitions, and contract compliance. 
• Ensure compliance with labor provisions in federal, state, and local government contracts. 

Training & Internal Collaboration:

• Develop and deliver training to HR, managers, and executives on employment law compliance, workplace investigations, and risk mitigation strategies. 
• Partner with HR, Compliance, and Business Leaders to align labor and employment policies with corporate goals. 
• Stay updated on evolving labor laws and regulations, advising executive leadership on necessary policy updates. 

Qualifications & Experience:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school. 
• Member in good standing of a U.S. state bar
• Ability and willingness to obtain/maintain a security clearance. 
• US Citizenship is required.
• 12+ years of labor and employment law experience, preferably with a combination of working in-house for a government contractor and also having law firm experience. 
• Extensive experience advising government contractors on employment-related compliance (SCA, DBA, OFCCP, EEO, etc.). 
• Proven track record handling labor relations, including union negotiations, collective bargaining, and labor disputes. 
• Experience managing employment litigation, investigations, and regulatory matters. 
• Experience with executive agreements to include employment and separation agreements.
• Strong background in advising publicly traded companies on employment law matters, including SEC disclosure requirements related to workforce risks. 

Skills & Competencies:

• Deep knowledge of federal and state employment laws, with emphasis on government contracting labor regulations. 
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across business functions. 
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills. 
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment with multiple priorities. 
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal. 

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a publicly traded government services company. 
• Familiarity with international labor laws affecting global government contractors. 
• Prior government agency experience (e.g., DOL, NLRB, OFCCP) is a plus. 

 Work Environment & Travel:

• Hybrid or remote work options with occasional travel to corporate offices, operational sites, and hearings.  Candidates located in the DC Metro area are highly desired.
• Ability to handle high-pressure situations, including urgent legal matters. 

Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed,  marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal laws and supplemental language at Labor Laws Posters.