In-House Legal Counsel

Job description

The Opportunity We are seeking a highly skilled and commercially minded In-House Legal Counsel to join our growing Company. In this role, you will serve as a trusted advisor to business leaders across the organization, providing strategic legal guidance on a broad range of matters critical to an aerospace company operating in a complex regulatory and commercial environment. You will be expected to manage matters independently, apply sound judgment in fast-moving situations, and collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Finance, HR, Operations, and Executive leadership. This is a high-impact, high-visibility role for a seasoned attorney ready to take on meaningful work in a mission-driven industry. How You'll Fulfill Your Mission Mergers & Acquisitions Lead and support all phases of M&A transactions, including due diligence, deal structuring, negotiation, and post-closing integration. Coordinate with external counsel, investment bankers, and senior leadership on strategic transactions. Assess legal risks associated with target companies, including IP, regulatory compliance, and contractual obligations. Contracts & Commercial Agreements Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements including development contracts, licensing agreements, NDAs, SaaS agreements, and government/defense contracts. Develop and maintain standard contract templates and playbooks to support efficient business operations. Advise internal stakeholders on contract interpretation, obligations, and risk mitigation strategies. Vendor Negotiations Manage legal aspects of vendor and supplier relationships, including negotiation of procurement agreements, master service agreements, and statements of work. Partner with the Supply Chain and Procurement teams to identify and mitigate legal and commercial risks in the vendor ecosystem. Resolve vendor disputes and escalations in alignment with company interests and contractual rights. Equity & Cap Table Management Administer and maintain the company's equity program using Carta, including option grants, RSUs, exercises, and 409A valuations. Ensure compliance with applicable securities laws in connection with equity issuances and secondary transactions. Serve as the primary legal point of contact for board and investor equity-related matters. Regulatory & Compliance Provide guidance on federal and state aerospace regulatory requirements, including FAA, ITAR, and EAR compliance. Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and assess impact on business operations. Support the development and implementation of internal compliance policies and training programs. General Legal Advisory Provide timely, practical legal advice on employment, fundraising, IP, data privacy, litigation management, and corporate governance matters. Manage relationships with outside counsel, oversee legal spend, and ensure efficient use of external resources. Support board meetings, prepare resolutions, and maintain corporate records. Why We Value You Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school and active membership in the California State Bar. 7–10 years of legal experience, with a combination of top-tier law firm and in-house counsel experience strongly preferred. Demonstrated M&A transaction experience, including due diligence, drafting, and negotiations. Extensive contracts experience across commercial, technology, and/or government/defense agreements. Hands-on experience with vendor and supplier negotiations at scale. Proficiency with Carta for equity management, including cap table maintenance, option administration, and 409A coordination. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, actionable business guidance. Proven ability to prioritize and manage a high-volume, diverse workload with minimal supervision. Proven examples of AI tool use for efficiency and workflow automation (Chat GPT, Claude) Desired Multipliers Experience in aerospace, defense, aviation, or a highly regulated technology industry. Familiarity with ITAR, EAR, FAR/DFARS, and/or FAA regulatory frameworks. Experience supporting a venture-backed or publicly traded company through growth stages. Background in securities law, corporate governance, or financing transactions. The pay range for this role is: $198,150-264,176 Salary and Benefits We're competitive in compensation and offer equity as part of the package. We have great benefits that include health, vision, dental, and 401K in comparison to other startups. We provide lunch and there's plenty of snacks and drinks to get you through the day. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. ITAR Requirements: This position requires compliance with U.S. Government space technology trade restrictions, specifically the International Trafficking in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and additional regulations governing satellite, launch vehicle, missile, and other related technologies. All jobs restricted by these regulations will be contingent upon the applicant’s status as a documented U.S. Person or their ability to receive a trade license from the cognizant government agency; in addition to any required company background checks and in compliance with applicable U.S. and California laws. Similarly, positions requiring the ability to work on government contracts or a security clearance are also contingent upon the applicants ability to receive the appropriate clearance and be allowed to work on U.S. government contracts. © Astra Space Operations, LLC. All rights reserved, Astra is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We encourage people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives to apply. San Francisco Applicants: Astra will consider applicants with arrest and conviction records (criminal histories) in a manner consistent with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. Astra’s mission is to improve life on Earth from space by creating a healthier and more connected planet. Today, Astra offers one of the lowest cost-per-launch dedicated orbital launch services, and one of the industry’s leading flight-proven electric propulsion systems for satellites, the Astra Spacecraft Engine.