Senior Counsel, OPX

Why the Senior Counsel, OPX Role at Westinghouse Deserves Your Attention

In the rapidly evolving landscape of global energy, the legal profession is no longer confined to boardrooms and litigation suites. It now sits at the heart of strategic decisions that power nations and shape the future of sustainable infrastructure. Westinghouse Electric Company, a name synonymous with nuclear innovation, is currently seeking a Senior Counsel for its Operating Plants (OPX) business unit. This is not just another in-house legal opening—it is a career-defining opportunity for legal professionals who want to combine commercial acumen, cross-border expertise, and a front-row seat to the nuclear renaissance.

While the job posting appears on LinkedIn in Spanish, the working language is English, and the role spans Europe, with a base in Madrid or another Westinghouse European office. The title may say San Sebastián de los Reyes, but the role is flexible and hybrid, reflecting the modern legal department's approach to talent acquisition.

Decoding the OPX Business Unit and the Future of Nuclear Energy

To understand the weight of this role, one must first appreciate what OPX stands for. The Operating Plants business unit is Westinghouse's global arm for servicing existing nuclear power plants. This includes fuel technologies, outage management, maintenance services, engineered solutions, instrumentation and control systems, and capital project execution. In other words, it is the unit responsible for keeping the world's nuclear fleet safe, efficient, and operational.

“Our Legal organization plays a critical role in advancing this mission.”

This statement from the job description underscores that legal counsel at Westinghouse are not just service providers; they are business partners. For a Senior Counsel, this means working across the full project lifecycle—from offer stage and contract negotiation to execution and dispute resolution. The role demands more than a command of black-letter law; it requires strategic thinking, risk assessment, and the ability to influence commercial decisions in real time.

The Strategic Skillset Westinghouse Demands from Its Senior Counsel

Let’s break down the qualifications and responsibilities to understand what Westinghouse truly values. The ideal candidate is a qualified attorney with at least five years of experience in commercial and business law, ideally gained in-house within a major international company. Admission to practice in a European country is a non-negotiable requirement, with a second European jurisdiction being a plus.

Experience in the nuclear sector is preferred, but not mandatory. What matters more is demonstrated expertise in drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements, including FIDIC and NEC4 contracts—standard forms in engineering and construction projects. This is a key differentiator for lawyers coming from infrastructure, energy, or construction backgrounds.

Core Responsibilities That Define the Role

• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements with domestic and international customers, suppliers, and partners.
• Provide timely, practical, and risk-informed legal advice to internal clients, balancing commercial objectives with legal safety.
• Identify enterprise-level legal risks and devise mitigation strategies while supporting business goals.
• Lead internal governance processes, including legal review and approval of transactions.
• Supervise external counsel and collaborate with cross-functional legal teams (Contracts, IP, Compliance).
• Stay current on legal developments and deliver training to internal clients.
• Operate effectively in a highly international and dynamic environment, demonstrating agility, adaptability, and responsiveness to evolving business needs.

Beyond these tasks, the role demands soft skills: agility, adaptability, and the ability to operate in a highly international and dynamic environment. The reporting line to the Assistant General Counsel in Madrid indicates a collaborative structure, while the hybrid work model suggests trust and autonomy.

How to Position Yourself as the Ideal Candidate

If you are a lawyer with a background in commercial law and a thirst for high-stakes work, how can you stand out? Here are some strategic steps to align your profile with what Westinghouse is looking for:

1. Master the Contractual Toolkit

Familiarity with FIDIC (Fédération Internationale Des Ingénieurs-Conseils) and NEC4 (New Engineering Contract) is almost mandatory today for energy and infrastructure lawyers. If you haven't worked with these forms, invest in professional development courses. Highlight any experience with EPC contracts, supply agreements, or joint ventures in your CV.

2. Showcase In-House Experience

While law firm experience is valuable, the job posting explicitly prefers in-house experience. If you are coming from a firm, emphasize your secondments or your work on cross-functional teams. Demonstrate that you have sat on the business side and understand the pressures of meeting commercial targets without compromising legal integrity.

3. Build a Multi-Jurisdictional Profile

Admission in multiple European jurisdictions is a plus. If you have the ability to practice in more than one country, flaunt it. Also, language skills matter: fluency in English is required, and proficiency in another foreign language is an asset. Spanish, given the location, would be a significant advantage.

4. Understand the Nuclear Energy Landscape

You don't need to be a nuclear physicist, but understanding the regulatory environment—including nuclear safety standards, export control laws, and international nuclear liability frameworks—will make you stand out. Read up on the latest developments in the sector, especially around small modular reactors (SMRs) and plant lifetime extensions.

“At Westinghouse, innovation is in our DNA. We are creative. We think differently. We reimagine the possible across the nuclear industry every day.”

That's the mindset they want. Position yourself as a forward-thinking professional, not just a legal technician.

What Working at Westinghouse Really Offers

The benefits section of the job description is unusually detailed, indicating that Westinghouse understands what motivates senior professionals. In Spain, employees can expect attractive compensation, a hybrid work model, and high flexibility and autonomy. The company also provides private health insurance, life insurance, a lunch allowance, and an Employee Assistance Program for confidential counseling. Professional development opportunities are highlighted, along with community service events and team-building activities.

For a Senior Counsel, this means a supportive environment that values work-life balance. The hybrid model is particularly appealing for lawyers who need focused time for complex contract drafting but also thrive on collaborative in-person discussions. Westinghouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer, reinforcing its commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Why This Role Could Be Your Career Catalyst

Joining Westinghouse at this moment in time is a smart move. The nuclear industry is experiencing a renaissance, driven by the need for clean, reliable baseload power in the fight against climate change. Governments across Europe are extending the life of existing reactors and investing in new technologies. Legal counsel who understand the commercial and regulatory complexities of this sector will be in high demand for decades.

The Senior Counsel, OPX role offers a unique blend of transactional work, strategic advising, and international exposure. You will work with project teams, commercial operations, global supply chain, and external partners, giving you a 360-degree view of how a global energy giant operates. The varied nature of the work—from negotiating FIDIC contracts to managing claims and governance—ensures that no two days are the same.

Reporting directly to the Assistant General Counsel for OPX Legal, this position offers visible impact. For those with ambitions of becoming a General Counsel, it is a strategic stepping stone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the application deadline?

The job posting as retrieved does not specify a deadline. It was listed as “2 days ago” on LinkedIn, which means you should apply as soon as possible. Westinghouse may close applications once a sufficient number of candidates is found.

Q2: Do I need to be based in Spain to apply?

No. The role is based in Madrid or at any Westinghouse office across Europe, with a hybrid work schedule. However, you must be admitted to practice law in a European country. Candidates with rights to work in the EU will have a clear advantage.

Q3: What if I don't have nuclear industry experience?

Nuclear experience is preferred but not mandatory. The posting emphasizes strong commercial law skills, contract negotiation experience (especially with FIDIC/NEC4), and the ability to provide risk-informed advice. If you have a background in energy, infrastructure, or large-scale engineering projects, you are a strong contender.

Q4: How can I apply for this position?

The original application link is not available in the provided content. Visit Westinghouse's careers page (www.westinghousenuclear.com) or search for “Senior Counsel, OPX” on LinkedIn. Applying through the official portal is recommended.