General Counsel

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community. Job Summary The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) seeks an accomplished legal executive to serve as its next General Counsel.

Reporting directly to the President, the General Counsel serves as the Institute's chief legal officer and a trusted strategic advisor to the President, Board of Trustees, and senior leadership. The General Counsel is responsible for overseeing all legal matters affecting Caltech, including the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which Caltech manages for NASA. The role requires exceptional judgment, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to navigate complex legal, regulatory, institutional, and reputational issues in support of Caltech's research and educational mission.

As a member of the Institute's senior leadership, the General Counsel is expected to contribute beyond traditional legal advice, providing practical, thoughtful counsel on matters of institutional strategy, governance, risk, and organizational leadership. OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL The Office of General Counsel serves as a trusted legal resource to the Institute and provides counsel across a broad range of legal and strategic matters.

The office currently includes eleven attorneys, a Director of Legal Operations, and administrative support professionals located on both the Caltech and JPL campuses. The General Counsel is responsible for leading, developing, and supporting the legal team while fostering a culture of responsiveness, collaboration, sound judgment, and client service. The next General Counsel will inherit a strong and respected legal function and will have the opportunity to build upon that foundation as the Institute's legal needs continue to evolve.

Essential Job Duties The General Counsel serves as the Institute's chief legal officer and is responsible for overseeing all legal matters affecting Caltech and JPL. Key responsibilities include: Serving as a strategic advisor to the President, Board of Trustees, senior leadership team, and other institutional leaders. Leading and managing the Office of General Counsel, including the development of legal strategy, allocation of resources, and professional growth of team members.

Advising on governance matters involving the Board of Trustees, its committees, and Institute leadership, including the administration of applicable conflict-of-interest policies. Providing counsel on matters involving research, federal funding, research security, intellectual property, technology transfer, data privacy, labor and employment, student affairs, free expression, immigration, tax, real estate, and regulatory compliance.

Overseeing significant litigation, investigations, claims, and disputes affecting the Institute and JPL. Advising on institutional risk and helping leadership assess legal, operational, reputational, and strategic considerations associated with major decisions. Providing legal oversight and strategic counsel regarding the NASA prime contract for the operation of JPL, including its negotiation and administration, and supporting relationships with NASA and other federal agencies.

Serving as a key liaison between Caltech's campus leadership and JPL on legal, contractual, governance, and institutional matters. Working collaboratively with faculty, administrators, researchers, trustees, and external stakeholders across a highly decentralized and intellectually rigorous environment. Managing relationships with outside counsel and ensuring the efficient delivery of legal services. Promoting a culture of responsiveness, collaboration, sound judgment, and client service within the Office of General Counsel.

Candidate Profile The successful candidate will be an accomplished lawyer and leader with a record of handling complex legal, regulatory, and institutional issues. Equally important, they will possess the judgment, credibility, and interpersonal skills necessary to serve as a trusted advisor in a dynamic and highly visible environment. The ideal candidate will demonstrate: Exceptional Judgment The ability to analyze complex issues, assess risk thoughtfully, and provide clear, practical advice.

The successful candidate will be comfortable navigating ambiguity and helping institutional leaders make difficult decisions in circumstances where there may be no perfect answer. Strategic Perspective An ability to understand the broader objectives of the institution and provide counsel that advances those objectives while appropriately addressing legal and reputational considerations. The General Counsel should be a problem solver and trusted thought partner, not simply a technical legal advisor.

Intellectual Curiosity A genuine interest in science, technology, research, and innovation, coupled with the ability to quickly understand unfamiliar subject matter and engage thoughtfully with highly accomplished faculty, researchers, and institutional leaders. Leadership A demonstrated ability to lead and develop high-performing teams, build trust, foster collaboration, and create a culture of excellence and accountability.

Relationship Building Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish credibility across a broad range of constituencies, including trustees, senior administrators, faculty, researchers, government officials, and external partners. Communication Skills The ability to communicate complex legal issues clearly, concisely, and effectively to both legal and non-legal audiences. The successful candidate will be an active listener, thoughtful counselor, and persuasive communicator.

Institutional Judgment An appreciation for the unique culture of mission-driven organizations and the ability to exercise sound judgment in matters involving governance, public scrutiny, competing interests, and institutional priorities. Basic Qualifications Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school. Admission to the California Bar or ability to obtain admission within one year of appointment. Significant legal experience involving complex legal, regulatory, governance, or institutional matters.

Demonstrated ability to provide strategic legal counsel to senior organizational leadership. Ability to satisfy applicable background investigation requirements and obtain any security clearance required for the position. Preferred Qualifications While no single career path is required, competitive candidates will typically bring significant experience advising complex organizations on high-stakes legal, regulatory, governance, or operational matters.

Candidates may come from a variety of environments, including: Research universities and academic medical centers Federal, state, or local government Corporate legal departments Law firms Other mission-driven or highly regulated organizations Experience in one or more of the following areas may be particularly valuable: Research institutions or federally funded research environments Government contracts and federal regulatory matters Internal investigations, enforcement actions, and complex litigation Board governance and executive leadership advising Fiduciary oversight, institutional risk management, and crisis leadership Intellectual property, technology, or innovation-focused organizations NASA, national laboratories, FFRDCs, UARCs, or similar research enterprises Managing and developing sophisticated legal teams Required Documents Resume.