General Counsel / Chief Legal Office / Chief Compliance Officer

About Deep IsolationDeep Isolation is a leading innovator in nuclear waste disposal, providing a safe and cost-effective solution to the world’s unresolved problem of how to dispose of spent fuel and high-level radioactive waste (HLW) using deep boreholes. Deep Isolation has government customers and prospects in the US, UK, EU, Asia, and the Middle East. Our growing team of employees and associates works remotely, meeting in person 3–4 times per year. The company values scientific integrity, operational excellence, stakeholder engagement, and entrepreneurial spirit.Candidates will join a fast-paced, mission-driven start-up company transitioning into the public markets. This is an opportunity to work with a collaborative team on one of the world’s most important environmental challenges in a flexible and empowering culture emphasizing accountability, teamwork, and innovation. Position SummaryThe General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer (GC) will serve as the senior legal and ethics advisor to Deep Isolation, leading all legal, compliance, and governance functions as the company transitions to operating as a public reporting entity and prepares for an uplisting to NASDAQ.This individual will play a central role in establishing the company’s legal infrastructure, managing public company readiness, and ensuring global compliance across its subsidiaries and operations. As the first in-house legal hire, the GC will act as a trusted advisor to the CEO, executive team, and Board of Directors, overseeing all aspects of corporate governance, SEC reporting, the corporate ethics program and regulatory compliance. The role will also lead contract management, intellectual property protection, and risk mitigation, while collaborating with outside counsel and internal stakeholders to support the company’s growth and strategic partnerships.This position is ideal for an experienced, business-minded attorney who thrives in a dynamic, mission-driven environment and is motivated by the opportunity to build, grow and lead the legal function of a company tackling one of the world’s most important environmental challenges. The GC will serve as the sole in-house attorney until the company expands its legal team, handling multiple projects and working with outside counsel. Core Functions• Lead and own all legal, governance and compliance functions, ensuring readiness for the planned NASDAQ uplist and sustainable long-term public company operation.• Serve as Corporate Secretary to the Board of Directors and its committees, managing agendas, minutes, resolutions, and charters. • Design, implement, and oversee a robust, risk-based compliance and ethics program, including policies, training, and a mechanism for internal reporting and investigations, that satisfies DOJ guidelines and NASDAQ listing standards. • Oversee the drafting, review, and negotiation of a broad range of commercial contracts, including government agreements, technology licenses, partnerships, and NDAs.• Manage intellectual property matters, including licensing and protection strategies. • Oversee compliance with domestic and international regulatory requirements related to nuclear, environmental, and commercial operations, including export controls. • Advise on mergers, acquisitions, and strategic transactions, ensuring appropriate risk assessment and due diligence. • Collaborate with external counsel to ensure effective representation in specialized areas such as securities, litigation, and international law, managing the legal budget and external firm performance.• Provide guidance to the CEO and executive team on legal implications of strategic and operational decisions. • Develop and implement internal legal processes, policies, and compliance programs that support scalable growth. Required Qualifications• Expertise in corporate law, SEC filings, and public market compliance (10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, proxy statements). • Direct experience designing, implementing, or significantly enhancing an enterprise-wide compliance and ethics program. • Strong experience with contract negotiation, licensing, and regulatory compliance.• Demonstrated ability to manage external counsel and work cross-functionally with technical and business teams. • Proven success advising boards and executive teams on strategic legal and governance matters. • Capable of thriving in a fast-paced, lean, and expanding hybrid workplace. Preferred Qualifications• Prior experience leading or directly managing a public listing transaction (e.g., Uplisting, IPO) is strongly preferred. • Experience in regulated sectors such as energy, nuclear, environmental, or government contracting.• Exposure to international operations and multi-jurisdictional compliance environments including EU procurement or EU State-Aid compliance. • Familiarity with IP licensing, IP management, export controls, and public-private partnership frameworks. • Prior experience supporting companies during a public listing transaction. Education & Experience• 15+ years of progressive legal experience, including significant in-house experience (preferably as General Counsel or Deputy) and direct C-Suite exposure to public company governance and reporting.• Minimum: Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school and active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction. • Preferred:Advanced coursework or certifications in corporate governance, securities law, or environmental regulation. Other• Strong communication and collaboration skills. • Self-motivated with the ability to work independently in a remote team. • Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively collaborate in a dynamic team environment. • Adaptability in a fast-paced, startup environment.• Ability to manage deadlines and prioritize tasks. • Ability to travel domestically or internationally. Deep Isolation is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. Apply tot his job