Commercial Counsel

SpaceX; Washington; On-site; USD 190,000 - 255,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

SpaceX seeks a Commercial Counsel to support procurement of goods and services. You will review and negotiate purchase orders, service and license agreements, and NDAs while managing standard terms and mitigating legal risk across US and international spend.

You will partner with Supply Chain, Purchasing, and Facilities, advising on regulatory issues, RFPs, and dispute resolution. This is a dynamic in-house role requiring strong business judgment and independence.

Qualifications

• JD or foreign equivalent from an accredited law school.
• 5+ years of legal experience.
• Experience advising on commercial procurement transactions, including international deals.
• In-house or law firm experience with Supply Chain, Purchasing, and Facilities teams preferred.

Responsibilities

• Draft, negotiate, and review commercial contracts (POs, service, licenses, NDAs).
• Identify and mitigate legal risk with processes, trainings, and controls for procurement teams.
• Provide legal analyses of laws, regulations, and industry practices for procurement.
• Counsel throughout procurement lifecycle: RFPs, RFQs, POs, licenses, dispute resolution.
• Manage SpaceX’s form Purchase Order and Standard Terms and Conditions.
• Improve forms, policies, and processes, including AI-based efficiencies.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to analyze risks and advise management.

Skills

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory knowledge

Communication skills

Education

JD or foreign equivalent

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

COMMERCIAL COUNSEL

As a Commercial Counsel on the SpaceX Legal Team, you will enable SpaceX’s procurement of critical goods and services by providing legal review and solutions-based counseling to Supply Chain, Purchasing, Facilities and other cross-functional partners on complex legal and business issues in the United States and internationally.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Draft, negotiate, and review a range of commercial contracts, including purchase orders/agreements, service agreements, license agreements, long-term supply agreements, non-disclosure agreements , and other agreements related to the acquisition of goods and services
• Identify and mitigate legal risk by implementing appropriate processes, trainings, and controls for the supported SpaceX teams
• Provide legal analyses of applicable laws, regulations, and industry practices, particularly related to the procurement of goods and services
• Work closely with Supply Chain, Purchasing, and Facilities Teams to provide legal counseling throughout all stages of the procurement lifecycle, including RFPs, RFQs, purchase agreements, license agreements and dispute resolution
• Manage SpaceX’s form Purchase Order and Standard Terms and Conditions
• Support continuous improvements of forms, policies, and processes to streamline and simplify procurements, including using AI and other technologies to improve efficiency and efficacy
• Work cross functionally with business teams across the company to analyze legal risks, devise creative solutions, and develop strong, trusted advisor relationships

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• JD or foreign equivalent from an accredited law school
• 5+ years of legal experience

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience at a well-regarded law firm
• Experience as an in-house lawyer, ideally within the tech and/or manufacturing sectors and with direct contact with Supply Chain, Purchasing, and Facilities Teams
• Experience providing legal advice related to commercial procurement transactions, including international transactions, and ideally with Fortune 1000 companies
• Experience managing legal issues for a high-growth multinational company
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with clients in various geographies and comfortable advising all levels of management
• Ability to communicate effectively with business stakeholders
• Knowledge of applicable regulatory issues
• Comfortability with and responsive to rapid developments and changes in direction as well as working with technologies and products and in practice areas without much precedence
• The ideal candidate is diligent and proactive and has demonstrated excellent legal and business judgment, technical acumen, communication skills, and strategic thinking, along with the ability to work independently and cross-functionally

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be admitted to the bar, in good standing, in at least one U.S. State
• This position is based in Washington, DC—though other SpaceX offices will be considered—and requires being onsite at a SpaceX office; remote work will not be considered
• Must be able to work extended hours and weekends, as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range: Level 3: $190,000.00 - $255,000.00

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affiant Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].