Legal Counsel

Job Description

At BAE Systems Australia

• Do interesting work that MATTERS
• ENJOY what you do
• GROW your career
• Be YOU

We work in a thriving sector – one that puts us at the forefront of exciting and meaningful work. Every day we push boundaries to produce some of the world’s most innovative and groundbreaking technology. Individually we all contribute to our success. Collectively we make the impossible possible.

Recognised for delivering projects of global and national significance that help keep Australia safe, it is our shared passion that shapes our culture, and our people that make it a great place to work.

About the OPPORTUNITY

We have an exciting opportunity for a Legal Counsel.

The Legal Counsel is responsible for the implementation of legal solutions to assist BAE Systems Australia in a fast-moving complex working environment. The position is accountable for business legal support and compliance.

This role operates as part of the broader legal team providing timely and relevant legal support, striking the right balance between managing risk and delivering competitive customer solutions, but is a dedicated role within a specific program with responsibility for supply chain and procurement contracting support.

This is a part‑time position, working 3 days per week. Based out of our Flinders Street (South Australia), you will play a visible and high‑impact role in a growing sector, with the opportunity to influence, innovate, and drive real change.

Key responsibilities include:

The Legal Counsel will be part of the specific program and broader legal team, depending on complexity the output might be done independently or in collaboration with other team members:

• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts to support commercial, supply chain, and procurement activities.
• Providing legal support to assist the Company manage its intellectual property rights and obligations and maintaining a culture of delivering the highest standards of legal, regulatory and ethical compliance (including security export controls and business ethics) and compliance with mandated company policies
• Maintaining current knowledge of relevant legislation and regulations; preparing, reviewing and enhancing legal functional tools such as precedent documents, legal policies and training materials; supporting implementation of legal policies and processes, including anti-bribery and corruption, conflict of interest, probity, ethics and code of conduct

About YOU

To be successful in this role, the Legal Counsel will possess:

• Law Degree and other requirements enabling admission to practice in Australia
• Recent working experience, post qualification, at a law firm and/ or relevant in-house role
• Eligible to obtain and maintain a Defence security clearance

• Experience in Contract, Commercial, and Intellectual Property law (required)
• Experience in ethics, WHS obligations, Dispute Resolution and regulatory compliance (desirable)
• Solid commercial and drafting skills
• Contract review and negotiation experience from a legal perspective
• Experience providing legal support on a variety of transactions

We believe in hiring for potential, we know that some candidates hesitate if they don’t tick all the boxes. If this role interests you, but you don’t meet all the criteria, we still encourage you to apply.

About US

You will be joining a workplace that truly cares about your wellbeing.

Our people are diverse and we value the variety of perspectives this brings, we know that a culture that is inclusive and fosters a sense of belonging is a place we can all make the most of our unique talents and be our best.

As Australia’s largest defence company in a rapidly growing sector, you will be connected into a global team and encouraged to explore where your career might take you whether that is a traditional career path or squiggly one, there are infinite possibilities for you at BAE Systems Australia.

BAE Systems recognises the sacrifices of those who have served our Nation and their families. We support our veteran community through our internal veteran network (VetNet Australia) and strong charitable partnerships, internal offerings including reserve service leave, a Veteran Mentoring Program and other exclusive offerings available through our strategic partners.

We welcome applicants from all people regardless of sex, gender identity, race, ethnicity, disability, pregnancy, age, or other lived experience; and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for all positions.

We are proud to be recognised as an employer of choice for women by WORK180.

Awarded the Benchmarcx ‘Top Employer for Candidate Experience Excellence 2026′. As a member of the Circle Back Initiative we commit to respond to every applicant.

To learn more about our competitive employee benefits, flexibility, other employment opportunities and what to expect from our recruitment process please visit: www.baesystemscareers.com.au

Clearances

As a Defence security clearance is required for this role, applicants must be Australian citizens and either possess or be eligible to obtain and maintain appropriate clearances. Further information regarding security clearances.