Counsel, Global Trade Compliance

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options / long-term incentives

Medical, vision and dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid parental leave

3 weeks paid vacation + 10+ holidays

Disability and life insurance

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Wellness programs

Job summary

SpaceX in Hawthorne, CA is seeking a Counsel, Global Trade Compliance to serve as a trusted advisor on OFAC sanctions and BIS export controls for AI services and datacenter projects.

You will work with legal and business teams to develop scalable compliance programs, review contracts, coordinate with government agencies, and ensure regulatory readiness for SpaceX's frontier technologies.

Qualifications

• JD from an ABA-accredited law school.
• 5+ years of trade compliance experience (sanctions and export controls).
• In-house counsel or top-tier law firm experience preferred.
• Experience advising on AI, machine learning, semiconductors and related dual-use tech under export regimes.
• Ability to design scalable compliance processes that leverage technology and AI tools.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice on OFAC sanctions and BIS export controls.
• Manage sanctions/export control documentation, policies, trainings, dashboards, and due diligence requirements.
• Support improvements of forms, policies, and processes to streamline AI services and datacenter projects.
• Advise on sanctions/export control terms in contracts for AI services and equipment procurement.
• Coordinate with US government agencies on export and sanctions matters.
• Investigate potential non-compliance and prepare internal investigation reports for senior management.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with business teams to analyze risks and develop trusted advisor relationships.

Skills

Sanctions compliance

Export controls

Legal advisory

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is 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.

COUNSEL, GLOBAL TRADE COMPLIANCE

In this role, you will serve as a trusted legal advisor for the SpaceXAI business on matters related to sanctions and export control compliance in the provision of frontier AI services. You will play a key role in building and streamlining trade compliance processes while providing practical, business-oriented guidance to internal stakeholders and the Legal team.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide expert advice on economic sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and export controls administered by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)
• Manage sanctions and export control compliance documentation, including policies, procedures, trainings, dashboards, and metrics; oversee restricted party screening and due diligence requirements
• Support continuous improvements of forms, policies, and processes to help streamline and simplify and scale business for AI services and datacenter projects
• Advise business teams on sanctions and export control compliance terms in commercial contracts for AI services and procurement of equipment and services
• Coordinate with relevant U.S. government agencies and officials on export and sanctions matters
• Investigate potential matters of non-compliance with U.S. sanctions laws and export control laws; prepare internal investigation reports for senior management; oversee corrective actions
• Collaborate cross-functionally with business teams across the company to analyze legal risks, devise creative solutions, and develop strong, trusted advisor relationships

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• JD from an ABA-accredited law school
• 5+ years of trade compliance experience (specifically, sanctions and export controls)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working as in-house counsel or for a top-tier law firm
• Experience advising on AI, machine learning, advanced computing, semiconductors, and other related dual-use software and technologies under U.S. export control regimes
• Proven ability to help design scalable compliance processes that leverage technology and AI tools to improve efficiency
• Ability to adapt and be responsive to rapid developments and changes in direction as well as work with technologies, products, and on novel legal issues

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be admitted to the bar, in good standing, in at least one U.S. State
• This position is based in Hawthorne, CA and requires being onsite - remote work not considered
• Must be able to work extended hours and weekends as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range: Level 3: $190,000.00 - $245,000.00

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.

• 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.
• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about 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 Affiantive Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].