Sr. Counsel, Datacenter Development & Infrastructure

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Starbase (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Sr. Counsel to lead legal matters around the development of large-scale datacenter infrastructure and related facilities, including land acquisition, permitting, and power systems.

The role requires negotiating complex contracts and coordinating with regulators for spaceport and other critical infrastructure projects. Based in Starbase, TX, the ideal candidate will have a JD from an ABA‑accredited school, active bar status, and at least seven years of relevant experience,

Qualifications

• JD or foreign equivalent from an ABA‑accredited law school.
• Active licensed attorney.
• 7+ years of legal experience.
• Experience with real estate, land use, and large-scale power and utility infrastructure development.
• Knowledge of Texas regulatory environment; PUC and related permits is highly desirable.
• Willingness to travel occasionally.
• On-site role based in Starbase, TX.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal guidance on developing large-scale datacenter infrastructure and related facilities.
• Draft and negotiate land purchases, easements, PPAs, interconnection agreements, and other real estate/transaction documents.
• Advise on zoning, permitting, environmental reviews, and interconnection processes for datacenter projects.
• Collaborate with regulators and internal stakeholders on applicable requirements.
• Negotiate EPC and other construction and utility contracts for datacenter build-out and spaceport development.

Skills

Real estate & infra law

Contract negotiation

Zoning & permitting

Regulatory compliance

Education

JD or foreign equivalent from an ABA‑accredited law school

Job description

Sr. Counsel, Development & Infrastructure

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.

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 build‑out, 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, 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 Starbase, TX and requires being onsite – remote work not considered.
• 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.

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 affirmative action plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process, should reach out to [e-mail].