Senior Legal Counsel II

Rocket Lab•Long Beach, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel II to support its Legal Department and functional and program management teams. Based at the company’s headquarters in Long Beach, California, this mid-level attorney will advise senior management and support a publicly traded company performing U.S. Government contracts, helping ensure compliance while supporting company growth and innovation. The role covers contractual and operational legal matters, mergers and acquisitions, litigation, and other compliance requirements. It also includes leadership of contract and trade compliance teams, management of external counsel, and development of scalable legal processes, policies, and templates. The counsel will draft and negotiate commercial and government agreements, advise on global trade compliance, and collaborate with Finance, IT/Security, HR, and Operations. The role also leads legal due diligence and coordinates cross-functional integration for corporate transactions. The position is based onsite in Long Beach, California, and may involve domestic and international travel as needed. The role may require prolonged sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, as well as occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
Active membership in the California State Bar or Registered In-House Counsel (RIHC).
Minimum of 15 years of legal experience.
Proven experience as in-house counsel or at a top-tier law firm.
Experience negotiating contracts, non-disclosure agreements, and IP licenses.
Ability to obtain a DoD Top Secret security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with management and program teams at various levels.
Experience managing a team of professionals, setting goals, coaching performance, and fostering accountability and inclusion.
Extensive knowledge of Government contracts and contract types, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation (DFAR).
Experience supporting DoD and NASA prime contracts and/or subcontracts supporting DoD and NASA programs.
Familiarity with compliance requirements under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and the Export Administration Regulations.
Initiative and ability to take on greater responsibilities, with potential for leadership opportunities over time.
Ability to adapt to fast-paced changes, shifting priorities, evolving directions, and unique legal challenges.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally as necessary to support business needs.

Responsibilities

Advise senior leadership and business unit and operational leaders, translating business objectives into legal strategies and practical risk mitigation.
Lead contract and trade compliance teams; set goals, coach performance, and foster accountability and inclusion.
Manage external counsel relationships and budgets, including review of legal bills and cost control.
Establish and improve legal processes, policies, and templates to scale legal support across the enterprise.
Manage contractual and operational legal matters and provide legal support for mergers and acquisitions, litigation, and compliance requirements.
Draft, review, and negotiate U.S. Government prime contracts, subcontracts under U.S. Government prime contracts, Master Service Agreements, IP licenses, non-disclosure agreements, real property leases, and strategic partnership agreements.
Develop contract playbooks, fallback positions, templates, and clause libraries; collaborate with business teams to balance risk and speed-to-value and track obligations and renewals.
Advise on global trade compliance, including sanctions screening, EAR/ITAR classifications, licensing, technology transfers, restricted-party screening, and customs valuation, origin, and marking.
Develop and maintain compliance policies, SOPs, and training; support audits and investigations, remediate findings, and update policies and training in response to regulatory developments.
Partner with Finance on pricing, revenue recognition, indemnities, and limitations; IT/Security on data protection and controls; HR on employment matters; and Operations on supply chain, quality, and logistics.
Design and execute legal due diligence plans covering contracts, operations, IP, privacy and security, labor and employment, environmental matters, anti-bribery and anti-corruption, sanctions and export controls, material contracts, and litigation.
Coordinate cross-functional integration for transactions, including risk remediation, policy harmonization, contract novations, and entity governance.
Manage outside counsel efficiently while balancing cost, speed, and risk.
Travel domestically and internationally as necessary to support business needs.

Benefits

Company stock as part of total compensation.
Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount on company stock.
Medical plans, including HMO, PPO, and a zero-cost HDHP option with a significant company HSA contribution.
Dental coverage.
Vision coverage.
Paid vacation and sick time.
11 paid holidays.
Flexible spending and dependent care accounts.
Paid parental leave.
Disability insurance.
Life insurance.
401(k) retirement plan with company match.
Subsidized EV charging.
Onsite fitness centers where available.
Discounted gym memberships.
Complimentary snacks and beverages.
50% employee discount on the company merchandise store.
Other employee discounts.