Sr Legal Counsel

Sierra Space; Centennial (CO); On-site; USD 227,611 - 312,965; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with 150% match up to 6%

Medical, dental, and vision plans

3 weeks paid time off

Job summary

Sierra Space in Centennial, Colorado, is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to serve as a strategic business partner to executive leadership. You will manage high-stakes legal matters in the aerospace industry and provide mentorship to junior legal staff.

This role requires 8-12 years of legal experience, a Juris Doctor degree, and bar membership. Responsibilities include negotiating complex contracts, advising on corporate governance, and managing compliance programs.

The position offers a competitive salary range from $227,611 to $312,965 along with a generous benefits package.

Qualifications

• Active bar membership in good standing.
• Minimum of 8-12 years of progressive legal experience.
• Experience in aerospace or defense highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal counsel influencing executive decision-making.
• Lead drafting and negotiation of complex contracts.
• Manage outside counsel relationships and compliance programs.

Skills

Strategic legal counsel

Complex legal writing

Negotiation skills

Business acumen

Leadership

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

About the Role

Senior Legal Counsel at Sierra Space will serve as a strategic business partner and trusted advisor to executive leadership, independently managing high‑stakes legal matters while proactively mitigating risk and enabling business objectives in the aerospace industry. Reporting directly to the General Counsel, this role requires a seasoned legal professional with deep expertise who can autonomously balance complex legal considerations with commercial imperatives in a fast‑paced, innovative environment, while providing mentorship to junior legal staff and serving as a catalyst for organizational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal counsel that directly influences executive decision‑making on matters affecting company operations, risk management, growth initiatives, and long‑term business strategy.
• Lead the drafting, review, and negotiation of complex, high‑value commercial contracts and agreements—including master supplier agreements, technology licensing arrangements, joint venture structures, strategic partnerships, and commercial real‑estate transactions.
• Lead or play a key advisory role in M&A transactions, capital markets activities, and other strategic business transactions, providing comprehensive legal oversight from due diligence through integration.
• Serve as a strategic advisor on employment law matters, providing counsel on executive compensation, workforce restructuring, and complex HR initiatives with significant legal or business impact.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve company‑wide policies and procedures; assess effectiveness and drive enhancements aligned with evolving business needs.
• Manage and provide strategic direction to outside counsel relationships; evaluate performance, control costs, and ensure alignment with business objectives.
• Design, implement, and lead comprehensive compliance programs tailored to aerospace industry regulations; drive continuous improvement and proactively address emerging compliance risks.
• Advise senior leadership on corporate governance best practices; prepare materials for and support Board of Directors and committee meetings on sensitive and strategic matters.
• Proactively monitor legal and regulatory developments affecting the aerospace and defense sectors; translate implications into actionable guidance and strategic recommendations.
• Develop and execute enterprise‑wide legal risk mitigation strategies; build scalable frameworks that support organizational growth.
• Translate complex regulatory requirements into pragmatic operational plans and business processes; partner with cross‑functional teams to ensure seamless implementation.
• Champion a culture of ethics, integrity, and accountability throughout the organization; serve as a role model for professional excellence.
• Provide legal mentorship and guidance to junior legal staff; may supervise direct reports or coordinate legal workstreams.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active bar membership in good standing in relevant jurisdiction(s).
• Minimum of 8–12 years of progressive legal experience, with a combination of law firm and in‑house experience strongly preferred; aerospace, defense, or heavily regulated industry experience highly desirable.
• Proven track record of providing strategic legal counsel that influences business outcomes at the executive level; demonstrated ability to independently manage complex, multi‑faceted legal matters with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing cross‑functional legal projects and guiding teams through complex initiatives.
• Exceptional legal writing, negotiation, and advocacy skills with ability to distill complex legal issues into clear, actionable guidance for diverse stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Strong business acumen with demonstrated ability to balance legal risk against commercial objectives and deliver pragmatic, business‑focused counsel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep expertise in multiple legal disciplines, including complex commercial transactions, corporate governance, sophisticated employment matters, corporate and securities law, commercial real estate, intellectual property strategy, and regulatory compliance frameworks.
• Substantial experience advising on capital markets transactions and M&A—including public and private securities offerings, complex debt financings, public and private company acquisitions, joint ventures, spin‑offs, and corporate restructurings; proven ability to navigate intricate regulatory frameworks and shape transaction outcomes.
• Comprehensive, current knowledge of laws, regulations, and legal frameworks specific to aerospace and defense, including ITAR/EAR export controls, FAR/DFARS procurement regulations, FCC licensing, FAA regulations, and emerging commercial space law and policy.
• Track record of successfully managing outside counsel across multiple matters and practice areas; ability to set clear expectations, evaluate quality, and optimize legal spend.
• Strong financial and budget management acumen; experience managing significant legal budgets while maintaining rigorous quality standards.
• Experience designing and implementing enterprise‑wide compliance programs, conducting comprehensive risk assessments, and leading remediation efforts.
• Experience providing counsel to boards of directors, audit committees, and executive leadership on governance, fiduciary duties, and high‑stakes strategic matters.

Compensation

Pay Range: $227,611.00 – $312,965.50

Your actual base compensation will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on job‑related knowledge, skills, education, experience, internal equity, and market competitiveness.

Benefits

We also offer a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, and more.

Skills & Attributes

• Strategic and anticipatory thinking with ability to identify emerging legal and business issues before they become problems.
• Exceptional judgment, analytical rigor, and creative problem‑solving abilities in high‑pressure, ambiguous situations.
• Strong executive presence and leadership capabilities; ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive organizational change.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills; ability to build compelling legal arguments and deliver persuasive presentations to executive and board‑level audiences.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, work effectively under pressure, and consistently meet critical deadlines.
• Unwavering commitment to ethical standards, professional responsibility, and integrity.
• Proactive, solutions‑oriented approach that anticipates legal needs and delivers business‑enabling counsel.
• Collaborative and relationship‑focused work style with proven ability to build trust and credibility across all organizational levels and with external stakeholders.
• Embodies company values and holds self and others accountable to the highest standards of professional excellence.

Equity and Inclusion Statement

Sierra Space Corporation is an equal‑opportunity employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need special assistance or a reasonable accommodation related to applying for employment with Sierra Space or at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us.