Senior Legal Counsel: Space & Government Contracts

Rocket Lab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 214,000 - 285,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Top-tier medical plans

Dental and vision coverage

Paid vacation and sick time

401(k) with company match

Stock-based compensation/merchandise

Job summary

Rocket Lab, a leading space company, seeks a Senior Legal Counsel II based at its Long Beach, CA headquarters. You will support the Legal Department across strategic initiatives, government contracting, and compliance while advising senior management on risk and growth opportunities.

You will lead contract negotiations, manage outside counsel, and develop scalable legal processes to support rapid expansion and diverse programs with government and commercial partners.

Qualifications

• Experience as in-house counsel or top-tier firm.
• Contract drafting, negotiations, and IP licenses.
• Knowledge of FAR/DFAR and government contracting processes.
• Ability to obtain DoD Top Secret clearance.
• Strong communication with senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal advice to senior management overseeing US Government prime contracts and related subcontracts.
• Lead contract playbooks, templates, and negotiation strategies for commercial and government deals.
• Manage external counsel, budgets, and timelines to balance cost, speed, and risk.
• Develop and maintain legal policies, training, and compliance programs across the enterprise.
• Collaborate with Finance, IT, HR, and Operations to align legal risk with business goals.
• Coordinate due diligence for M&A and corporate transactions and integration efforts.

Skills

In-house counsel experience

Contract drafting & negotiations

Regulatory compliance

Leadership & advisory

Gov contracts knowledge

Security clearance (DoD TS)

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Rocket Lab, a leading space company, seeks a Senior Legal Counsel II based at its Long Beach, CA headquarters. You will support the Legal Department across strategic initiatives, government contracting, and compliance while advising senior management on risk and growth opportunities.

You will lead contract negotiations, manage outside counsel, and develop scalable legal processes to support rapid expansion and diverse programs with government and commercial partners.