Contracts Counsel

About the role

Impulse Space's legal team is looking for a Contracts Counsel to support a fast-growing company across a broad range of contracts, including customer-facing commercial agreements, launch-related agreements, vendor and supplier agreements, leases and other business arrangements. The role reports to the Assistant General Counsel and adds experienced execution capacity to the team: independently handling day-to-day drafting, review and negotiation of assigned matters after alignment on strategy, while coordinating on material deviations, non-standard risk positions, novel issues and complex or high-stakes matters. It is an on-site position in Redondo Beach.

Key responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate agreements such as launch and mission services agreements, commercial customer agreements, launch provider agreements, vendor and supplier agreements, leases and confidentiality agreements.
• Prepare initial drafts, reviews and redlines, identify key legal and business issues and propose practical paths forward.
• Handle routine negotiations within established legal positions and agreed deal strategy, escalating material deviations, non-standard risk positions, novel issues and complex matters appropriately.
• Support customer contract work with the Assistant General Counsel, working with Business Development, Finance, Mission Management and others on deal structuring, negotiation preparation, execution and follow-up.
• Support internal stakeholders on contract interpretation and performance issues, including amendments, change requests, claims, disputes, renewals and terminations.
• Help create, maintain and improve contract templates, standard positions and playbooks, and assist with contract lifecycle tracking.
• Contribute to scalable legal processes, training and other projects, and help the legal team with additional practice areas as needed.

Required profile

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active U.S. bar membership.
• 6+ years of contracts experience in a law firm and/or in-house legal department, including drafting and negotiating commercial agreements.
• Ability to handle routine drafting and negotiations independently, with sound judgment on when to escalate risk.
• Sound business judgment and clear communication of legal and commercial risk, with a collaborative style in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• U.S. Person status or eligibility for an export license, as the role is subject to ITAR and EAR.

Preferred skills and experience

• In-house experience in a fast-paced startup or growth-stage company, preferably aerospace, defense, technology or engineering-driven.
• Experience supporting customer-facing services agreements, launch or satellite contracting, or other complex commercial transactions.
• Experience developing or improving contract templates, playbooks and tracking processes.

What we offer

• Salary of $175,000 - $215,000 per year, depending on role, level, location and market data.
• Possible long-term incentives in the form of stock options for full-time hires.
• Medical, vision and dental coverage, and access to a 401(k) retirement plan.