Counsel – Space Programs & Government Contracts

Overview

This role supports a satellite and spacecraft manufacturing business across the full contract lifecycle—from capture and proposal development through contract formation, program execution, disputes, and closeout.

The position can be based in Palo Alto, CA, or remotely within the US. Reporting to the General Counsel, the attorney will provide practical, business-oriented legal advice across customer contracts, supplier/subcontractor matters, and U.S. government contracting and compliance issues. The attorney will independently own assigned matters and may also support other affiliates as requested.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary legal advisor for assigned spacecraft programs and business matters.
• Advise program leadership on contract interpretation, performance obligations, schedule and cost issues, changes, claims, remedies, and risk mitigation.
• Draft, review, and negotiate U.S. government, commercial, and international customer agreements.
• Draft, review, and negotiate subcontracts, teaming agreements, and nondisclosure agreements.
• Advise Supply Chain and Program Management on supplier performance, changes, intellectual property and data rights, warranty, schedule, remedies, and other risk-allocation matters.
• Advise the business on the Federal Acquisition Regulation, DFARS, NASA FAR Supplement, and other government-contract requirements.
• Counsel stakeholders on contract administration, flowdown requirements, intellectual property and data rights, organizational conflicts of interest, and related compliance requirements.
• Partner with Security and Export Compliance on classified information, controlled unclassified information, cybersecurity requirements, export controls, and international program activities.
• Support government inquiries, audits, business-system reviews, internal investigations, mandatory-disclosure analyses, and disputes as needed.
• Collaborate with stakeholder functions including Contracts, Supply Chain, Program Management, Security, Export Compliance, Business Development, and executive leadership.
• Manage outside counsel on specialized matters as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship and eligibility to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited U.S. law school.
• Active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar and the ability to satisfy applicable in-house counsel registration requirements.
• Minimum of seven years of relevant legal experience gained in-house, in private practice, with the U.S. government, or through a combination of those settings.
• Demonstrated experience advising on U.S. government contracts, the FAR, and DFARS.
• Experience reviewing, drafting, and negotiating complex contracts.
• Demonstrated ability to independently own matters, collaborate across functions, and manage competing priorities.
• Ability to travel both domestically and internationally based on business needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting aerospace, defense, spacecraft, complex technology, or manufacturing programs.
• Experience with government and commercial prime contracts, subcontracts, and program execution.
• Knowledge of government intellectual-property regimes, including license rights involving software and technical data.
• Experience with export controls, cybersecurity, controlled unclassified information, or international transactions.
• Experience with internal investigations, government audits, ethics and compliance, or contract disputes.

Compensation & Benefits

Base pay (by location)

• Colorado: $142,000.00 - $236,000.00 annually
• New Jersey: $142,000.00 - $236,000.00 annually
• Delaware: $142,000.00 - $236,000.00 annually
• Washington, DC metropolitan area: $156,000.00 - $260,000.00 annually
• California: $163,000.00 - $271,000.00 annually

For all other states, geographic cost of labor is used to develop market-driven ranges.

Benefits

• Paid time off
• Health and welfare insurance
• 401(k) to eligible employees

Incentive

• Incentive eligible with a target based on contribution, company performance, and/or individual results achieved; specific plan and target amount will be determined based on the role and breadth of contributions.

Location

• Palo Alto, CA office, or remotely within the US

Equal Opportunity

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

Application Window

• Three days from the date the job is posted and remains posted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire.
• If reposted, it remains posted for three days from the repost date and continues until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire.