Legal Specialist & Compliance Officer

Arkadia; Almazora; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work 8 days per month

Accommodation support on relocation

University campus facilities access

Job summary

Arkadia, a space propulsion company based in Castellón de la Plana, is seeking a Legal Specialist & Compliance Officer to oversee contracts, export controls, IP, and regulatory compliance for international growth.

You will work with ESA, Spanish Space Agency and other partners, ensuring governance and risk management across projects while supporting rapid, compliant expansion in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• University degree in Law (Bachelor of Laws or equivalent).
• 3+ years in legal compliance and export controls.
• Experience negotiating commercial contracts and NDAs.
• Strong knowledge of EU Dual Use and ITAR/EAR.

Responsibilities

• Oversee legal and compliance aspects across contracts, export controls, IP strategy, and regulatory obligations.
• Draft, negotiate, and manage commercial agreements with clients and partners.
• Provide guidance to development, finance and commercial teams on risk and governance.
• Support insurance, liability contracts, and regulatory filings for aerospace projects.

Skills

Legal knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Contract negotiation

IP knowledge

English proficiency

Spanish proficiency

Education

Bachelor of Laws

Job description

Arkadia, established in 2020, is a pioneering force in the space industry. We have a clear vision: to make space exploration sustainable, accessible, and innovative. We are an in-space propulsion company, developing and commercializing the most performing chemical systems using green propellants, the real alternative to traditional storable propulsion.Our headquarters are located in Castellon de la Plana on the Costa Azahar. We operate a 100% privately managed orbital engine Test Center at Castellón Airport, the first of its kind in Europe. This facility provides agility, flexibility and speed for tailored, rapid propulsion developments and for testing of engine prototypes and products.At Arkadia, we trust in every member of our team as we specialize in developing cutting-edge propulsion systems. Our company culture is built on collaboration, innovation, and personal growth. We offer a friendly and stimulating work environment where you can thrive. We value work-life balance, which is reflected in flexible schedules and ongoing professional development opportunities. If you are seeking an opportunity to contribute to the future of space exploration, join us on this exciting journey!As aLegal Specialistand Compliance Officerat Arkadia, you will play a key role in ensuring the companyoperateswithin the legal and regulatory framework while supporting international growth and commercial activities.You willbe responsible foroverseeing the legal and compliance aspects of Arkadia's operations across the following areas:Commercial contracts and agreements, leading the drafting, negotiation, and management of contracts with private clients, institutional partners, and government agencies (e.G., ESA,Spanish Space Agency), including NDAs, service agreements, R&D contracts, and insurance documentation.Export controls and licensing, managing the compliance ofArkadia's propulsion systems andcomponentswith applicable regulations (e.G., EU Dual Use Regulationor USITAR/EAR)and ensuring proper authorization for international transfers.Compliance management,establishing, maintaining, andmonitoringinternal compliance policies and procedures to mitigate legal and regulatory risk.Intellectual property support,assistingin the protection, registration, and management of patents, trademarks, and other IP assets, providing guidance on freedom-to-operate and IP strategy.Legal support for business operations, advising on corporate governance, regulatory obligations, and risk management across projects, commercial activities, and partnerships.Contract documentation management,maintaining, organizing, and updating all company contracts and legal records to ensure accuracy, accessibility, and compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements.What you'll needUniversity degree in Law (Bachelor of Laws or equivalent)3+ years of experience in legal compliance, commercial contracts, and export controls, ideally within technology, aerospace, ordefensesectors.Experience innegotiating and managingcontracts,includingcommercial agreements, consortiumagreementsand insurance-related documents.Strong understanding of international export control regimes (EU Dual Use, ITAR/EAR, etc).Knowledge of intellectual property law, including trademarks, patents, and licensing.Excellent skills inEnglish andSpanish.Ability to manage multiple legal matters simultaneously andprovidepractical guidance todevelopment, financial andcommercialteams.Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.Comfortable taking ownership in a fast-paced, growing organization.Nice to haveExperience in the space sector or high-technology industries.Familiarity with the space regulatory environment, including EU Space Regulation and national legislation (e.G.,Anteproyectode Ley deActividadesEspaciales).Experience with institutional contracts (ESA, national agencies, or government frameworks).Advanced knowledge of compliance frameworksandpractices.Master's degreeor similarin International Trade, Space Law, or related fields.Previousexperience with insurance and liability contracts for aerospace ordeep-tech. companies.Why Arkadia?Because here you will:Work alongside a passionate and highly skilled space teamHave real technical ownership and visibility across disciplinesStay close to hardware and test campaignsEnjoy flexibility and a collaborative atmosphereBenefit from up to 8 days of remote work per monthReceive onboarding and accommodation support if relocatingBenefit from the facilities and ecosystem of the university campus where we are based

Legal Specialist & Compliance Officer • Almassora, Kingdom Of Spain, ES