SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
COUNSEL, GLOBAL TRADE COMPLIANCE
In this role, you will serve as a trusted legal advisor for the SpaceXAI business on matters related to sanctions and export control compliance in the provision of frontier AI services. You will play a key role in building and streamlining trade compliance processes while providing practical, business-oriented guidance to internal stakeholders and the Legal team.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide expert advice on economic sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and export controls administered by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)
- Manage sanctions and export control compliance documentation, including policies, procedures, trainings, dashboards, and metrics; oversee restricted party screening and due diligence requirements
- Support continuous improvements of forms, policies, and processes to help streamline and simplify and scale business for AI services and datacenter projects
- Advise business teams on sanctions and export control compliance terms in commercial contracts for AI services and procurement of equipment and services
- Coordinate with relevant U.S. government agencies and officials on export and sanctions matters
- Investigate potential matters of non-compliance with U.S. sanctions laws and export control laws; prepare internal investigation reports for senior management; oversee corrective actions
- Collaborate cross-functionally with business teams across the company to analyze legal risks, devise creative solutions, and develop strong, trusted advisor relationships
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- JD from an ABA-accredited law school
- 5+ years of trade compliance experience (specifically, sanctions and export controls)
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience working as in-house counsel or for a top-tier law firm
- Experience advising on AI, machine learning, advanced computing, semiconductors, and other related dual-use software and technologies under U.S. export control regimes
- Proven ability to help design scalable compliance processes that leverage technology and AI tools to improve efficiency
- Ability to adapt and be responsive to rapid developments and changes in direction as well as work with technologies, products, and on novel legal issues
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be admitted to the bar, in good standing, in at least one U.S. State
- This position is based in Palo Alto, CA and requires being onsite - remote work not considered
- Must be able to work extended hours and weekends as needed
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay Range:
Level 3: $190,000.00 - $245,000.00
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.
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.
SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX 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.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [email protected].
Skills Required
- JD from an ABA-accredited law school
- 5+ years of trade compliance experience (sanctions and export controls)
- Admission to the bar, in good standing, in at least one U.S. State
- Ability to be onsite in Palo Alto, CA (remote work not considered)
- Ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed
- Meet ITAR nationality/authorization requirements (U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or eligible for State Department authorization)
- Experience working as in-house counsel or at a top-tier law firm
- Experience advising on AI, machine learning, advanced computing, semiconductors, or related dual-use technologies under U.S. export controls
- Proven ability to design scalable compliance processes leveraging technology and AI tools
- Ability to adapt to rapid developments and novel legal issues
SpaceX Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about SpaceX and has not been reviewed or approved by SpaceX.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity grants are a core part of total compensation, with periodic company-run tender offers that create liquidity before any public listing. These mechanisms can make the equity component feel materially valuable in practice.
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Healthcare Strength — The package includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, with on-site clinics and health resources at major sites. This breadth of coverage is presented as a strong element of the offering.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Major locations feature on-site amenities such as fitness facilities, food/coffee, clinics, and other conveniences. These lifestyle perks enhance day-to-day value alongside cash and equity.
SpaceX Insights
What We Do
SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches the world’s most advanced rockets and spacecraft. The company was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk to revolutionize space transportation, with the ultimate goal of making life multiplanetary. SpaceX has gained worldwide attention for a series of historic milestones. It is the only private company ever to return a spacecraft from low-Earth orbit, which it first accomplished in December 2010. The company made history again in May 2012 when its Dragon spacecraft attached to the International Space Station, exchanged cargo payloads, and returned safely to Earth — a technically challenging feat previously accomplished only by governments. Since then Dragon has delivered cargo to and from the space station multiple times, providing regular cargo resupply missions for NASA.
