Associate/ Deputy General Counsel

Cytek Biosciences' mission is to enable the world to improve life through scientific innovation. We are committed to providing powerful solutions that allow scientists to rapidly and efficiently obtain deep biological insights through high-quality, high parametric datasets. Our products are used at many of the world's most renowned pharmaceutical companies, CRO firms, and academic research institutions. We are a growing company that is always looking for energetic, educated professionals.

Cytek is seeking an Associate/ Deputy General Counsel, Corporate Securities and Transactions to lead the company's SEC reporting, securities compliance, and corporate governance legal work, to lead its M&A practice, and to support its commercial transactions alongside the company's other commercial counsel. Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer, this role partners closely with the CFO, Finance, Investor Relations, the Board of Directors and its committees, and the commercial, operations, and corporate development teams.

The ideal candidate brings deep public company SEC experience in the life science tools, diagnostics, or research use only (RUO) space, along with a strong record of leading M&A transactions and experience negotiating sales, distribution, and procurement agreements. This is a hands-on leadership role for a practical, business-minded lawyer who can move between board-level disclosure judgments, strategic transactions, and commercial deal support.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform essential duties and responsibilities satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SEC Reporting and Securities Compliance

• Lead the legal preparation and review of SEC filings, including Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K, the annual proxy statement, registration statements (including Forms S-8 and S-3), and Section 16 filings.
• Review earnings releases, earnings call scripts, investor presentations, and other public statements for accuracy, consistency, and Regulation FD compliance.
• Draft and refresh risk factors and business disclosures specific to life science tools, diagnostics, and RUO products, including FDA and international regulatory status, product labeling and claims, reimbursement, export controls, supply chain, and international operations.
• Serve as a key member of the Disclosure Committee and support the company's disclosure controls and procedures and SOX compliance.
• Administer the insider trading policy, including pre-clearance, trading windows, and Rule 10b5-1 trading plans, and oversee compensation clawback policy compliance.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with stock exchange listing standards and track developments in securities law, SEC rulemaking, and governance practices.

Corporate Governance

• Support the Board of Directors and its committees, including agendas, materials, minutes, charters, and governance policies, and serve as Assistant Corporate Secretary as needed. Serve as a legal advisor to the Audit Committee, including on SEC reporting, internal controls, auditor independence, related person transactions, whistleblower matters, and internal investigations.
• Manage the annual meeting process, D&O questionnaires, director independence reviews, and shareholder and proxy advisor engagement.
• Provide legal support for equity compensation plans and related filings, partnering with Finance, Human Resources, Stock Administration, and outside advisors on equity and executive compensation matters and related disclosure.

Commercial Transactions

• Draft, negotiate, and manage customer-facing agreements, including terms and conditions of sale, quotes, sales agreements, service and maintenance agreements, tenders, and group purchasing and agreements.
• Structure and negotiate domestic and international distribution agreements, ensuring appropriate anti-corruption, export control, trade compliance, and RUO labeling and use restrictions.
• Negotiate procurement and supply agreements, including component and contract manufacturing, OEM, quality, and logistics agreements.
• Support collaboration, licensing, material transfer, and confidentiality agreements with academic, biopharma, and industry partners.
• Work with the company's commercial counsel to build and maintain contract templates, playbooks, and approval guidelines, and help train commercial and procurement teams on key terms and risk positions.

Mergers, Acquisitions, and Strategic Transactions

• Lead the legal workstream for acquisitions, strategic investments, and joint ventures from term sheet through closing and integration, including due diligence, transaction documentation, and internal and Board approvals. Support the Chief Legal Officer on strategic licensing transactions.
• Assess and prepare required SEC disclosures for material transactions.

Leadership and Management

• Select and manage outside counsel, including budgets and work quality.
• Supervise and develop legal team members and contract professionals as the team grows.
• Advise senior leadership on legal risk and practical, business-focused solutions.
• Provide legal support to Human Resources on employment matters, including policies, executive compensation and employment agreements, workplace investigations, terminations, and multi-state and international employment compliance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school and active membership in good standing in at least one U.S. state bar, with California bar admission or eligibility to register as California Registered In-House Counsel.
• 10+ years of experience preparing and reviewing SEC periodic and current reports, proxy statements, and registration statements for public companies, including at least 5 years in the corporate securities practice of a major law firm, with the balance in-house at a public company.
• Substantial experience advising and working directly with public company audit committees, including on financial reporting, disclosure controls, internal control over financial reporting, and engagement with the independent auditor.
• Experience in the life science tools, diagnostics, or RUO space, including drafting disclosures that address the regulatory framework for RUO and in vitro diagnostic products.
• Experience drafting and negotiating commercial agreements, including sales, distribution (domestic and international), and procurement and supply agreements.
• Demonstrated experience leading M&A and strategic transactions from diligence through closing.
• Thorough knowledge of the Securities Act, Exchange Act, Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Regulation S-K, Regulation FD, Section 16, stock exchange listing standards, and Delaware corporate law.
• Working knowledge of anti-corruption, export control, and trade compliance considerations in international sales and distribution.
• Sound judgment and the ability to communicate clearly with the Board, executives, and business teams.
• Ability to manage multiple transactions and filing deadlines at once in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with international transactions, including in Europe and Asia.
• Some familiarity with FDA, EU IVDR, and other international regulatory requirements affecting life science tools and diagnostics.
• Experience building contract processes, templates, and playbooks for commercial teams.
• Prior experience managing attorneys or contract professionals.
• Experience advising Human Resources on employment matters, including policies, employment agreements, investigations, and terminations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• This position works primarily in an office environment at Cytek's Fremont, California offices on a hybrid schedule.
• The role requires regular use of a computer and phone and extended periods of sitting.
• The role requires work beyond standard business hours during SEC filing periods, board meetings, and active transactions.

Cytek is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.