Senior Counsel

At ispace U.S., we’re not just going to the Moon—we’re redefining how we get there. Our missions push the boundaries of human and robotic exploration, driven by our belief: “Expand our Planet. Expand our Future.” By providing cost‑effective lunar transportation, we are pioneering a future where space is within reach for scientific discovery, commercial ventures, and sustainable exploration. With locations in Japan, Luxembourg, and the United States, ispace is rapidly growing and leading the way in lunar exploration and development. Our U.S. branch is based in Englewood, Colorado, and focuses on high‑capacity payload lunar landers designed to support future lunar missions. Our team is made up of innovators, problem‑solvers, and visionaries committed to making space more accessible and fostering the next generation of space exploration. Let’s go to the Moon together! Our team is growing, and we are actively seeking talented individuals who share our passion for space. We are seeking an experienced Senior Counsel to serve as the lead legal advisor for our U.S. organization. This role combines hands‑on legal expertise with strategic leadership, supporting a rapidly growing business operating in the aerospace and defense sector. Reporting to the CEO and partnering closely with the global General Counsel and legal team, the Senior Counsel will lead complex legal matters across government contracting, commercial transactions, regulatory compliance, and corporate initiatives. This individual will play a critical role in shaping the legal infrastructure of the U.S. business as the company scales. This position is ideal for a senior attorney who thrives in a high‑growth, mission‑driven environment and enjoys partnering directly with executives, engineers, and business leaders to solve complex legal and strategic challenges. Ideally, this person would be located in Denver, CO or in the Washington D.C. area. A true rock star could do this job from anywhere! Responsibilities Strategic Legal Advisory: Serve as a senior legal advisor to U.S. business and technical leadership on a broad range of matters, including government contracts, commercial contracts, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and financing activities. Partner closely with the CEO and global General Counsel to support key business initiatives and provide practical legal guidance aligned with company objectives. Proactively identify and assess legal and regulatory risks affecting U.S. operations and develop practical mitigation strategies aligned with business goals. Support strategic partnerships, joint ventures, and other corporate transactions, as directed by the General Counsel. Government Contracting: Provide deep expertise on U.S. government contracting matters, including FAR/DFARS compliance, first‑tier subcontracting requirements, negotiations with prime contractors, intellectual property and data rights, and related cost accounting considerations. Advise program, engineering, and business development teams on contractual obligations and compliance considerations for government‑funded programs. Commercial Transactions: Lead and manage complex commercial negotiations end‑to‑end. Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of agreements, including services agreements, technology development agreements, vendor contracts, and strategic partnership agreements. Export Controls & Trade Compliance: Oversee the company’s export controls and trade compliance function, including ITAR and EAR compliance, providing legal guidance and strategic oversight while partnering with an established internal trade compliance expert and the global legal team to identify, assess, and mitigate regulatory risks. Legal Operations & Cross Functional Collaboration: Support international business requirements and compliance with foreign regulatory frameworks, assisting with cross‑border transactions and global legal alignment in coordination with the global legal team. Coordinate with and manage relationships with external counsel, regulators, and government agencies as needed, ensuring high‑quality and cost‑effective legal support. Lead the development and improvement of internal legal processes, templates, policies, and best practices for the U.S. business, building scalable legal infrastructure to support company growth. Communicate complex legal concepts clearly and accessibly to non‑legal stakeholders, including executives, engineers, and business development leaders. Contribute to mentoring junior legal or compliance staff as the team grows. Required Qualifications Experience in the aerospace, defense, or advanced technology sectors Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA‑accredited law school and active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction Ability to obtain in‑house counsel registration in Colorado if not currently licensed in the state 7+ years of legal experience with law firm and/or in‑house experience Experience advising on U.S. government contracting matters, including familiarity with FAR and DFARS Experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements Working knowledge of export controls and trade compliance, including ITAR and EAR Strong understanding of corporate law, commercial transactions, and regulatory compliance Ability to independently manage complex legal matters and provide practical, business‑oriented advice Strong communication skills with the ability to advise executives and collaborate with technical and business teams What Makes You Stand Out Deep familiarity with government contracting environments, including subcontracting with prime contractors 10+ years of legal experience with law firm and/or in‑house experience Experience supporting ITAR/EAR compliance programs or export‑controlled technologies Experience advising on strategic partnerships, joint ventures, or international transactions Familiarity with CFIUS or FOCI considerations Experience helping build or scale legal functions in a growing organization Experience in engineering, computer science, physics, or a related field $185,000 - $265,000 a year Benefits Health Coverage: Competitive medical, vision, and dental plans, with 100% company‑paid options available for employees. Hybrid Work: Flexibility to work remotely and in‑office, depending on your role and the stage of our program. Commuter Perks: Company‑paid RTD EcoPass for buses and light rail. Lunch Perks: Monthly stipend to enjoy meals from our café. Paid Time Off: 18 vacation days, 6 sick days, and 17 paid holidays. Retirement: 401(k) plan with company matching. Travel: Opportunities for domestic and international travel. Stock Options: Participation in our stock option program. Learning & Development: Ample opportunities to grow, including lunch‑and‑learns, skills training, and stipends for professional development. Team Culture: A fun and casual environment with regular team gatherings, including monthly engagement events to connect and unwind. At ispace, we believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences, even if you don’t meet every listed requirement. If you’re passionate about our mission and think you can contribute, we encourage you to apply. Your unique skills and experiences may be exactly what we need to grow and succeed together. To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR.here. ispace is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with ispace 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. All applicants who are offered employment with ispace US will be subject to a background investigation. Offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a background investigation conducted in accordance with Company policies and all applicable laws. ispace Technologies, US, Inc. is a drug‑free workplace. ispace Technologies, US, Inc. participates in the E‑Verify program. #J-18808-Ljbffr Medium