Sr. Counsel, Datacenter Development & Infrastructure

Spacex; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX in Bastrop, Texas is seeking a Senior Counsel for Datacenter Development & Infrastructure to provide expert legal guidance on land acquisition, permitting, and the development of large-scale datacenter facilities.

You will draft and negotiate land purchases, PPAs, interconnection agreements, and EPC contracts, while advising on municipal, state, and federal regulatory requirements related to energy, water, and environmental permits for major infrastructure projects.

Qualifications

• J.D. or equivalent required and active bar admission in at least one U.S. state.
• Experience with real estate, land use, and large-scale infrastructure projects preferred.
• Knowledge of regulatory processes related to energy, water, environment, and permitting.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal guidance on land acquisition, development of datacenter infrastructure, and related utilities.
• Draft and negotiate land purchases, easements, PPAs, interconnection agreements, and EPC contracts.
• Advise on municipal, state, and federal permitting and regulatory requirements for large infrastructure projects.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to brief regulators and agencies on applicable matters.
• Negotiate complex construction and engineering-procurement-construction contracts for datacenter buildout.

Skills

Legal experience

Real estate & land use

Infrastructure development

Contract negotiation

Regulatory compliance

Education

J.D. 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 ofenabling human life on Mars.

SR. COUNSEL, DATACENTER DEVELOPMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide expert legal guidance on matters related to developing large-scale datacenter infrastructure and supporting utilities — acquisition and development of land, construction of datacenters and associated facilities, on‑site power generation (including gas turbines and backup systems), electrical transmission and distribution infrastructure, gas pipelines and fuel supply systems, water supply and wastewater treatment (especially for high‑density cooling), communications/fiber infrastructure, transportation access, and worker accommodations. This role also supports spaceport and other advanced critical infrastructure development projects as needed.
• Draft and negotiate land purchases, easements (including power line, gas pipeline, and utility rights‑of‑way), rights‑of‑way, leases, power purchase agreements (PPAs), interconnection agreements, fuel supply contracts, pipeline capacity agreements, and other real estate and commercial transaction documents required to bring datacenter and infrastructure projects fully online.
• Advise on municipal, county, State, and Federal requirements related to zoning, building and construction permitting, environmental reviews, power generation and utility interconnections, gas pipeline development and safety, water rights and wastewater treatment, air permitting for turbines/generation, and related infrastructure for datacenters and large industrial projects.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to brief county, State, and Federal regulators on applicable matters, including public utility commissions, environmental agencies, pipeline safety regulators, and permitting authorities.
• Negotiate complex construction contracts, engineering‑procurement‑construction (EPC) agreements, vendor and supply contracts related to datacenter buildout, power generation facilities (turbines, substations, switchgear), utility infrastructure (gas pipelines, high‑voltage power lines, water systems), fuel procurement and delivery, and spaceport development.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• JD or foreign equivalent from an ABA‑accredited law school.
• Active licensed attorney.
• 7+ years of legal experience.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 7+ years of experience with real estate, land use, and/or large‑scale power and utility infrastructure development issues, preferably including hyperscale datacenter or major industrial project development.
• Knowledge and/or experience with natural gas project development, power generation contracts and operations (including on‑site turbine generation), gas pipeline and fuel supply agreements, power purchase agreements (PPAs), utility interconnection processes, transmission planning, and mineral rights or surface use agreements.
• Familiarity with Texas regulatory environment, including Public Utility Commission requirements, Texas Railroad Commission rules for oil and gas operations, and air/water permitting for power generation facilities is highly desirable.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be admitted to the bar, in good standing, in at least one U.S. state.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to project sites and different offices for a week at a time.
• Must be willing to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed.
• This position is based in Bastrop, TX and requires being onsite – remote work not considered.

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 Affi​ctive Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out [e-mail].