Legal Counsel

Aalto; Farnborough; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the aerospace sector is seeking a Legal Counsel to support its growth and development of HAPS products. This role involves drafting and negotiating contracts, ensuring compliance, and supporting international expansion in a dynamic environment. The ideal candidate will have experience in commercial, corporate, and technology law, along with strong analytical and negotiation skills. Join a passionate team committed to innovation and making a meaningful impact from the stratosphere.

Benefits

Flexible working

Bonus scheme

Competitive pension plan

Qualifications

• 4-8 years of post-qualification experience with a reputable international law firm.
• Strong understanding of contract law and corporate governance.
• Interest in technology and the aerospace sector is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide variety of commercial contracts.
• Ensuring regulatory compliance and managing legal risks.
• Supporting international business expansion and corporate governance.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Drafting

Negotiation

Education

Law degree (LLB or equivalent)

Qualified solicitor of England and Wales (or equivalent)

Job description

AALTO is a global leader in the stratosphere. We design, manufacture and offer Earth observation and connectivity services using our record-breaking Zephyr High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) solar-electric unmanned aircraft, capable of staying in the stratosphere for days, weeks, and months at a time.

Powered entirely by the sun, Zephyr operates above 60,000 feet, high above conventional air traffic. As a new layer in Earth observation and connectivity ecosystems, Zephyr is positioned between satellites and more conventional terrestrial assets – filling in the operational gap between the two layers, while remaining a complementary solution capable of working in a system of systems.

Services delivered with Zephyr can empower government and commercial customers with capabilities to see and sense or connect from the stratosphere – making a meaningful impact on the ground, from the skies.

Join #TeamAALTO as we create this new, up-and-coming frontier, and be a part of a highly-skilled, innovative and passionate group of people working together to make sure “the future is stratospheric.”

Job purpose:

We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Legal Counsel to work closely with AALTO’s General Counsel in supporting the company’s journey towards the commercialisation of its HAPS product and services offering internationally. In this role, you will play a critical part in shaping AALTO’s legal and compliance strategy, ensuring regulatory compliance, and mitigating legal risks as the business scales globally. You will be responsible for providing high-quality, commercially-focused legal support across a broad range of activities, including drafting and negotiating complex commercial contracts, advising on corporate, regulatory, and intellectual property matters, and supporting international expansion. This position offers the opportunity to make a tangible impact in a fast-paced, innovative environment at the intersection of technology and aviation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Working closely with General Counsel to build a best in class legal and compliance department.
• Structuring, drafting, reviewing, negotiating and executing a wide variety of commercial contracts to enable commercialisation and international business expansion (from NDAs and preliminary agreements through to complex supply contracts, customer contracts, strategic partnership agreements, licences, etc).
• Monitoring, analysing and addressing/advising on industry laws and regulations to enable business-wide compliance and risk/opportunity management.
• Supporting international business expansion working closely with local country managers and operational teams
• (corporate establishment, governance, regulatory matters, real estate, HR, local country contracting, etc).
• Working alongside business teams on strategic initiatives/projects.
• Establishing, managing and updating corporate policies.
• Conducting legal research on a wide variety of legal matters.
• Working with external counsel on relevant matters.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Law degree (LLB or equivalent).
• Qualified solicitor of England and Wales (or equivalent).
• 4-8 years of post-qualification experience gained with a reputable international law firm (preferably in commercial, corporate, IP or technology law).
• Strong understanding of contract law principles, corporate governance, and ethics & compliance.
• Interest in technology (including legal tech) and the aeronautics/aerospace sector highly desirable.
• Inhouse experience a bonus.
• Excellent analytical, communication, drafting and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic and international environment with multiple
• stakeholders.

At AALTO, we offer an exceptional work environment that values your well-being and rewards your dedication. As part of our team, you'll experience the freedom of flexible working that enable you to achieve a healthy work-life balance. We believe in recognizing your hard work and commitment, which is why we provide a fantastic bonus scheme that rewards your contributions. Additionally, we understand the importance of financial security and support your future with a competitive pension plan. When you join us, you become part of a workplace that not only encourages your professional growth but also cares about your personal fulfilment and financial stability.

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