Commercial Counsel

SpaceX
Washington, DC
On-site

Who this role is best for

Best suited to in-house legal professionals with experience in tech and manufacturing, working in high-growth multinational environments and collaborating cross-functionally on procurement and supply chain issues.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with in-house legal experience in tech or manufacturing and a track record of advising supply chain teams
    — “Experience as an in-house lawyer, ideally within the tech and/or manufacturing sectors and with direct contact with Supply Chain, Purchasing, and Facilities Teams”
  • Legal professionals who have managed complex international procurement contracts and mitigated legal risks
    — “Identify and mitigate legal risk by implementing appropriate processes, trainings, and controls for the supported SpaceX teams”
  • Individuals who have demonstrated strategic thinking and can advise at all management levels
    — “comfortable advising all levels of management”

Things to consider

  • This role requires on-site presence in a SpaceX office and does not allow remote work.
    — “requires being onsite at a SpaceX office; remote work will not be considered”
  • Candidates must be eligible for U.S. Government export authorizations under ITAR requirements.
    — “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”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with AI and technology to streamline procurement processes in your resume and interviews.
    — “using AI and other technologies to improve efficiency and efficacy”
  • Emphasize your ability to provide creative solutions for legal and business challenges in high-growth environments.
    — “devise creative solutions, and develop strong, trusted advisor relationships”
  • Showcase your track record of managing legal issues for multinational companies, especially in procurement.
    — “Experience managing legal issues for a high-growth multinational company”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • Drafted and negotiated complex commercial contracts
  • Provided legal counseling throughout the procurement lifecycle
Typical background
5+ years of legal experienceJD or foreign equivalent from an accredited law school

Skills & requirements

Required

Contract DraftingNegotiationLegal AnalysisProcurement LawCross-functional Collaboration

Preferred

In-house Legal ExperienceAI In Legal Processes

Stack & domain

Contract DraftingNegotiationLegal AnalysisProblem-solvingPlanningCollaborationLegalProcurement

About the role

Original posting from SpaceX via Greenhouse

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.

COMMERCIAL COUNSEL

As a Commercial Counsel on the SpaceX Legal Team, you will enable SpaceX’s procurement of critical goods and services by providing legal review and solutions-based counseling to Supply Chain, Purchasing, Facilities and other cross-functional partners on complex legal and business issues in the United States and internationally.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Draft, negotiate, and review a range of commercial contracts, including purchase orders/agreements, service agreements, license agreements, long-term supply agreements, non-disclosure agreements , and other agreements related to the acquisition of goods and services

Identify and mitigate legal risk by implementing appropriate processes, trainings, and controls for the supported SpaceX teams

Provide legal analyses of applicable laws, regulations, and industry practices, particularly related to the procurement of goods and services

Work closely with Supply Chain, Purchasing, and Facilities Teams to provide legal counseling throughout all stages of the procurement lifecycle, including RFPs, RFQs, purchase agreements, license agreements and dispute resolution

Manage SpaceX’s form Purchase Order and Standard Terms and Conditions

Support continuous improvements of forms, policies, and processes to streamline and simplify procurements, including using AI and other technologies to improve efficiency and efficacy

Work cross functionally with business teams across the company to analyze legal risks, devise creative solutions, and develop strong, trusted advisor relationships

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

JD or foreign equivalent from an accredited law school

5+ years of legal experience

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Experience at a well-regarded law firm

Experience as an in-house lawyer, ideally within the tech and/or manufacturing sectors and with direct contact with Supply Chain, Purchasing, and Facilities Teams

Experience providing legal advice related to commercial procurement transactions, including international transactions, and ideally with Fortune 1000 companies

Experience managing legal issues for a high-growth multinational company

Experience building and maintaining relationships with clients in various geographies and comfortable advising all levels of management

Ability to communicate effectively with business stakeholders

Knowledge of applicable regulatory issues

Comfortability with and responsive to rapid developments and changes in direction as well as working with technologies and products and in practice areas without much precedence

The ideal candidate is diligent and proactive and has demonstrated excellent legal and business judgment, technical acumen, communication skills, and strategic thinking, along with the ability to work independently and cross-functionally

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be admitted to the bar, in good standing, in at least one U.S. State

This position is based in Washington, DC—though other SpaceX offices will be considered—and requires being onsite at a SpaceX office; remote work will not be considered

Must be able to work extended hours and weekends, as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:

Level 3: $190,000.00 - $255,000.00

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.

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 Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com. 

Source: SpaceX careers (Greenhouse)

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