Corporate Counsel (Spacecraft Licensing)

True Anomaly; Denver, Long Beach, Washington (CO, CA, District of Columbia); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% Employer-Sponsored Healthcare

Generous Time Off

Equity

401k and Roth 401k options

Learning & Development Opportunities

Job summary

True Anomaly, Inc. in Denver seeks a Corporate Counsel, Spacecraft Licensing to own regulatory filings with FCC, NOAA, NTIA, and ITU for spacecraft and ground station licenses.

You will work closely with systems engineering, mission operations, and communications teams to translate technical inputs into timely, defensible submissions. The role also covers drafting and negotiating contracts, advising internal clients, and helping shape the legal department’s processes.

Qualifications

• High attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines simultaneously.
• Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial contracts.
• Active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Direct experience preparing, reviewing, and submitting spacecraft and/or ground station FCC and NOAA license applications to tight timelines.
• Strong presentation skills and ability to distill complex regulatory concepts into clear, accessible reports and briefings for internal audiences.
• Experience supporting NTIA applications.
• Familiarity with FCC and NOAA commercial remote sensing regulations.
• Ability to work effectively with engineering and technical teams, translating complex technical information into clear regulatory filings and translating regulatory requirements into practical guidance for non-legal stakeholders.
• Experience preparing and managing POAMs.
• 3–7 years of legal experience, with a preference for a mix of law firm and in-house experience.
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to produce precise, well-organized regulatory submissions and legal documents.
• Experience in-house at a technology or aerospace company.
• Experience in the commercial space, aerospace, or satellite communications industry.
• Familiarity with spectrum coordination and ITU filing processes.
• Ability to obtain or maintain a TS//SCI security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the legal aspects of spacecraft and ground station licensing across all missions, coordinating with systems engineering, mission operations, and communications teams to translate technical inputs into regulatory filings.
• Manage license portfolios, track compliance obligations, and serve as the go-to resource for regulatory requirements and timelines.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of agreements, including vendor and supplier contracts, program subcontracts, teaming agreements, NDAs, and consulting agreements.
• Advise internal stakeholders across program management, systems engineering, communications and IT, mission operations, facilities management, security, finance, and supply chain on legal matters as they arise.
• Coordinate with export compliance and other Legal Department functions on overlapping regulatory concerns.
• Contribute to process improvements, templates, playbooks, and other shared resources within the legal department.
• Support NTIA, FCC, NOAA, and ITU coordination and license proceedings as required.
• Maintain a licensing tracker and compliance calendar; monitor rulemaking and policy developments and advise stakeholders on impacts.

Skills

Attention to detail

Contract drafting

Bar admission

Spacecraft licensing

Regulatory reporting

NTIA filings

FCC/NOAA regs

Cross-functional collaboration

POAMs

Experience (3-7 yrs)

Written communication

In-house experience

Space industry

Spectrum/ITU filings

Security clearance

Education

J.D.

Job description

• The Corporate Counsel, Spacecraft Licensing will serve as True Anomaly’s primary in-house legal authority on spacecraft and ground station licensing, owning the preparation, submission, and management of license applications before the FCC, NOAA, and other applicable regulatory bodies
• This role reports to the Senior Associate General Counsel and is a key member of a small, collaborative legal department
• Spacecraft licensing is the core of this role. You will lead the legal aspects of the company’s spacecraft and ground station licensing efforts across all missions, working closely with systems engineering, mission operations, and communications teams to translate technical requirements into complete, timely, and defensible regulatory filings
• You will manage license portfolios, track compliance obligations, and serve as the go-to resource for stakeholders across the company on licensing requirements and timelines
• Beyond licensing, you will also support general corporate legal functions — reviewing and negotiating contracts, advising internal clients, and contributing to the legal department’s broader workload
• The ideal candidate is energized by the opportunity to own a specialized regulatory function while also operating as a versatile member of a lean legal team
• Manage the full lifecycle of spacecraft licensing for all True Anomaly missions, including NTIA, FCC, NOAA, and other applicable license applications, modifications, renewals, and amendments
• Serve as the company’s internal subject matter expert on FCC experimental, STA and Part 25 licenses; NOAA commercial remote sensing regulations; and other regulatory frameworks governing spacecraft and ground station operations
• Support ground station coordination and RF platform development from a regulatory and licensing perspective
• Prepare, coordinate, and submit license applications on tight timelines, working with systems engineering, mission operations, and communications teams to gather and validate technical inputs
• Support NTIA and ITU coordination and applications as required
• Prepare and manage Plans of Action and Milestones (POAMs) to ensure compliance with license conditions and regulatory requirements
• Ensure alignment across the organization on regulatory and RF compliance requirements, identifying and driving closure on gaps
• Monitor and track post-license compliance obligations, including reporting requirements, operational conditions, and modification triggers
• Maintain a licensing tracker and compliance calendar to provide visibility into application status, deadlines, and upcoming obligations
• Monitor FCC, NOAA, and other relevant agency rulemaking, proposed rules, and policy developments that may affect the company’s current or planned licensing posture, and proactively advise stakeholders on potential impacts
• Develop and maintain relationships with relevant regulatory agency staff to support effective engagement on current and future applications
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of agreements, including vendor and supplier contracts, program subcontracts, teaming agreements, NDAs, and consulting agreements
• Advise internal stakeholders across program management, systems engineering, communications and IT, mission operations, facilities management, security, finance, and supply chain on legal matters as they arise
• Coordinate with other Legal Department functions, including export compliance, on matters of overlapping regulatory concern
• Contribute to legal department process improvements, templates, playbooks, and other shared resources
• Support additional projects and initiatives as needed under the direction of the Senior Associate General Counsel

Benefits

• 100% Employer-Sponsored Healthcare: We’ve got you covered! Our comprehensive healthcare package is fully sponsored, ensuring you and your loved ones stay healthy and worry-free, so you can focus on shaping the future of space security.
• Generous Time Off: We believe in working hard and recharging fully. Our generous vacation policy gives you the flexibility to take the time you need to relax, explore, and come back energized to take on new challenges.
• Equity: Own an equity stake in True Anomaly as you build something transformative. With equity options, you’re not just working for True Anomaly; you’re an owner. As an essential part of our growth and future success, we want you to share in the upside potential!
• 401k and Roth 401k options: Plan for tomorrow with our 401K and Roth 401K options that put you in control of your financial future.
• Learning & Development Opportunities: Your growth fuels our innovation. We’re committed to providing you with the resources and training to expand your skills, spark new ideas, and advance your career with us.

Qualifications

• High attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines simultaneously
• Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial contracts
• Active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
• Direct experience preparing, reviewing, and submitting spacecraft and/or ground station FCC and NOAA license applications to tight timelines
• Strong presentation skills and ability to distill complex regulatory concepts into clear, accessible reports and briefings for internal audiences
• J.D. from an accredited law school
• Experience supporting NTIA applications
• Familiarity with FCC and NOAA commercial remote sensing regulations
• Ability to work effectively with engineering and technical teams, translating complex technical information into clear regulatory filings and translating regulatory requirements into practical guidance for non-legal stakeholders
• Experience preparing and managing POAMs
• 3–7 years of legal experience, with a preference for a mix of law firm and in-house experience
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to produce precise, well-organized regulatory submissions and legal documents
• Experience in-house at a technology or aerospace company
• Experience in the commercial space, aerospace, or satellite communications industry
• Familiarity with spectrum coordination and ITU filing processes
• Ability to obtain or maintain a TS//SCI security clearance