Legal Counsel

Location

Torrance, CA; Washington D.C.

Employment Type

Full time

Location Type

On‑site

Department

Legal

About Northwood Space

Northwood is on a mission to build a data highway between earth and space and bring the benefits of space to the masses through innovations in space communications technologies. If you like building quickly and seeing your work deployed in locations around the globe with real impact, we want you at Northwood.

Role

Northwood is seeking a Legal Counsel to support the buildout of our global ground network. This role sits at the intersection of legal, policy, and technical competencies, and will play a key role in enabling the company’s international deployment. You’ll work closely with teams across engineering, product, and operations, to strategize our growth and help translate legal complexity in multiple jurisdictions into practical, actionable guidance that enables the business to move forward with confidence. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who is excited about space, comfortable with ambiguity, and eager to take ownership in a fast‑paced startup environment.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with cross‑functional stakeholders—including engineering, sales, and go‑to‑market teams—to strategize execution of complex business opportunities and translate complex legal concepts into practical advice that enables teams to move forward confidently and quickly.
• Support operations across multiple regulatory regimes, both domestic and international, ensuring the company navigates these forums effectively to avoid risk and expand opportunities as regulations evolve.
• Assist with global market entry efforts, regulatory licensing, filings, and advocacy with regulatory agencies and government bodies, helping shape outcomes where it matters.
• Draft, negotiate, and review a wide range of commercial agreements in support of our global network, including customer and vendor contracts, NDAs, and government contracts, to close deals efficiently while safeguarding the company’s interests.
• Develop and refine internal legal processes, playbooks, and templates to improve efficiency and consistency and help set up a successful foundation for scalable legal operations as the company grows.

Basic Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an ABA accredited law school and active membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 4+ years of relevant legal experience; a mix of government, law firm, and/or in‑house experience is a plus.
• Working knowledge of U.S. regulatory processes (e.g., agency rulemakings, licensing, compliance frameworks).
• Excellent analytical thinking, communication, and organizational skills.
• A proactive, solutions‑oriented mindset with the ability to operate in a fast‑moving environment.