Director of Legal, Government Contracts

About the role

As a Director of Legal, Government Contracts, you will lead a team of seasoned government contract professionals while also independently managing some of the company's most critical government contracts and advising the company on related legal issues. You will ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations and help mitigate risks associated with the company's government engagements. You will be responsible for the full lifecycle of government contracts, including proposal development, negotiations, and adherence to FAR, DFAR and all other relevant statutes and regulations.

The ideal candidate will have the ability to develop and maintain productive relationships with both mission partners within customer organizations and internal SpaceX teams across a range of technical and corporate functions. They will also thrive in a fast-paced environment and be comfortable with independent decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Support SpaceX's relationship with its government customers by, among other things, building and maintaining relationships with government stakeholders, industry partners, and internal teams
• Lead a team of government contract professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Manage SpaceX's contracts, to include prime contracts and subcontracts, with government agencies such as NASA, DoW, FAA, and others
• Oversee contract proposal process, including bid preparation, cost/pricing analysis, and risk assessments to maximize win rates
• Manage contract performance, modifications, disputes, complex legal issues, and audits
• Serve as the primary point of contact for government contracting officers and auditors
• Monitor changes in federal laws, regulations, and government policies, advise senior company leadership on the potential impacts of such changes, and recommend proactive measures
• Prepare reports and metrics on contract performance, compliance status, and key risks for executive review

Basic Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
• 10+ years in a combination of (i) managing government contracts cradle to grave and (ii) serving as legal counsel on government contracting issues
• 5+ years in a people leadership role
• Experience managing complex federal contracts in regulated industries (e.g., aerospace, defense, or technology)
• Experience with classified contracts and security clearances

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Certification in government contracting (CPCM, CFCM) highly desirable
• Extensive knowledge of government contracts and contract types, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation (DFAR), NASA FAR Supplement (NFS), and Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs)
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to handle fast, high-pressure situations
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to influence and collaborate at all levels
• Demonstrated leadership in building and mentoring high-performing teams
• High ethical standards, attention to detail, and commitment to compliance excellence

Additional Requirements

• Must be admitted to the bar, in good standing, in at least one U.S. State
• This position is based in Hawthorne, CA 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
• US citizenship required due to government contract obligations
• Active TS/SCI clearance preferred; alternatively, ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

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.