Associate Counsel – Legal & Contracts (Entry to Mid Level) at OKSI – St. Petersburg, Florida

This role supports Opto-Knowledge Systems’ legal and contracting functions with a focus on contract execution, compliance tracking, and document control. We are seeking candidates with practical contract experience in an in-house or commercial environment. This position is not a partner track or broad litigation role, and is structured for professionals with 3-7 years of contracts or commercial legal support experience.

This position is not a broad general counsel or litigation role. It is designed for candidates who want to apply their legal training in an operational, contract-focused environment and who are comfortable supporting day-to-day business needs rather than serving as the organization’s primary legal authority.

• Review, draft, and support execution of commercial and government contracts using established templates and guidelines
• Assist with contract negotiations under defined parameters and internal review processes
• Support compliance with contractual obligations, flow-downs, and internal policies
• Maintain organized contract records, trackers, and documentation
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders such as purchasing, finance, and program teams to support contract lifecycle activities
• Assist with identifying contract risks and escalation items for appropriate internal review
• Support interactions with outside counsel as needed under direction
• Help improve consistency, organization, and efficiency in contract processes

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction, or ability to obtain licensure as required
• Three to seven years of experience in contracts-focused legal work
• Experience reviewing and supporting commercial, vendor, or government contracts
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple contracts and deadlines
• Clear written and verbal communication skills

• In-house legal or operational legal experience
• Experience supporting government or defense-related contracts
• Familiarity with FAR/DFARS concepts (training or exposure acceptable)
• Experience working closely with procurement or program teams

• Full-time position
• Onsite or hybrid, depending on location and business needs
• Standard business hours

• Salary range: $70,000 to $100,000 annually.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage fully paid by the employer for employees.
• Three weeks of vacation to start
• Automatic company contribution to 401K – 5% of earned wages (no matching required)
• Educational assistance and professional development opportunities
• In-office (St. Petersburg) or remote work (United States) available (position dependent)

Additional Requirements:

• You must have, or be eligible to obtain, a U.S. Department of Defense Secret security clearance. You will be subject to government security investigations and must be able to access classified information. The inability to obtain a security clearance will result in you being ineligible for the position.

We are an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. We provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in the application and hiring process. The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. This employer participates in E-Verify.

This employer participates in E-Verify.