Description:
Astra's mission is to improve life on Earth from space by creating a healthier and more connected planet. Today, Astra offers one of the lowest cost-per-launch dedicated orbital launch services, and one of the industry's leading flight-proven electric propulsion systems for satellites, the Astra Spacecraft Engine.The Opportunity:
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.
How You'll Fulfill Your Mission
Mergers & Acquisitions
- 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.
- Regulatory & Compliance
- 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.
Why We Value You
- 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)
- 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.
The pay range for this role is: $198,150-264,176
