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.
DIRECTOR OF LEGAL, GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS
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 Washington, DC 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.
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
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
- 10+ years managing government contracts cradle to grave and/or serving as legal counsel on government contracting issues
- 5+ years in a people leadership role
- Experience managing complex federal contracts in regulated industries such as aerospace, defense, or technology
- Experience with classified contracts and security clearances
- Certification in government contracting, such as CPCM or CFCM
- Extensive knowledge of government contracts, FAR, DFAR, NASA FAR Supplement, and Other Transaction Agreements
- Strong negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across levels
- Demonstrated leadership in building and mentoring high-performing teams
- High ethical standards, attention to detail, and commitment to compliance excellence
- Admitted to the bar and in good standing in at least one U.S. state
- Ability to work onsite in Washington, DC; remote work is not considered
- Ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed
- U.S. citizenship due to government contract obligations
- Active TS/SCI clearance
- Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
- Eligibility under ITAR requirements or ability to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations
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.
