In-House Legal Counsel

Astra•Alameda, CA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a highly skilled and commercially minded In-House Legal Counsel to join our growing Company. In this role, you will serve as a trusted advisor to business leaders across the organization, providing strategic legal guidance on a broad range of matters critical to an aerospace company operating in a complex regulatory and commercial environment. You will be expected to manage matters independently, apply sound judgment in fast-moving situations, and collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Finance, HR, Operations, and Executive leadership. This is a high-impact, high-visibility role for a seasoned attorney ready to take on meaningful work in a mission-driven industry.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school and active membership in the California State Bar.
7–10 years of legal experience, with a combination of top-tier law firm and in-house counsel experience strongly preferred.
Demonstrated M&A transaction experience, including due diligence, drafting, and negotiations.
Extensive contracts experience across commercial, technology, and/or government/defense agreements.
Hands-on experience with vendor and supplier negotiations at scale.
Proficiency with Carta for equity management, including cap table maintenance, option administration, and 409A coordination.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, actionable business guidance.
Proven ability to prioritize and manage a high-volume, diverse workload with minimal supervision.
Proven examples of AI tool use for efficiency and workflow automation (Chat GPT, Claude)

Nice To Haves

Experience in aerospace, defense, aviation, or a highly regulated technology industry.
Familiarity with ITAR, EAR, FAR/DFARS, and/or FAA regulatory frameworks.
Experience supporting a venture-backed or publicly traded company through growth stages.
Background in securities law, corporate governance, or financing transactions.

Responsibilities

Lead and support all phases of M&A transactions, including due diligence, deal structuring, negotiation, and post-closing integration.
Coordinate with external counsel, investment bankers, and senior leadership on strategic transactions.
Assess legal risks associated with target companies, including IP, regulatory compliance, and contractual obligations.
Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements including development contracts, licensing agreements, NDAs, SaaS agreements, and government/defense contracts.
Develop and maintain standard contract templates and playbooks to support efficient business operations.
Advise internal stakeholders on contract interpretation, obligations, and risk mitigation strategies.
Manage legal aspects of vendor and supplier relationships, including negotiation of procurement agreements, master service agreements, and statements of work.
Partner with the Supply Chain and Procurement teams to identify and mitigate legal and commercial risks in the vendor ecosystem.
Resolve vendor disputes and escalations in alignment with company interests and contractual rights.
Administer and maintain the company's equity program using Carta, including option grants, RSUs, exercises, and 409A valuations.
Ensure compliance with applicable securities laws in connection with equity issuances and secondary transactions.
Serve as the primary legal point of contact for board and investor equity-related matters.
Provide guidance on federal and state aerospace regulatory requirements, including FAA, ITAR, and EAR compliance.
Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and assess impact on business operations.
Support the development and implementation of internal compliance policies and training programs.
Provide timely, practical legal advice on employment, fundraising, IP, data privacy, litigation management, and corporate governance matters.
Manage relationships with outside counsel, oversee legal spend, and ensure efficient use of external resources.
Support board meetings, prepare resolutions, and maintain corporate records.