Senior Counsel

SENIOR COUNSEL

Based on site at Rocket Lab's Headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Senior Counsel will play a key role in supporting the Legal Department and functional and program management teams across the organization. This role is ideal for a mid-level attorney with experience in contract drafting and negotiations, dispute resolution, and regulatory compliance. The successful candidate will provide strategic legal advice to senior management for a publicly traded company performing U.S. Government contracts, to ensure compliance and support the company’s growth and innovation.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO: 

Manage contractual and operational legal matters for the company, as well as provide legal support for mergers and acquisition transactions, litigation matters and other compliance requirements. This includes:

• Leadership & Strategic Advisory:
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and business unit and operational leadership; translate business objectives into clear legal strategies and pragmatic risk mitigation.
• Lead contract and trade compliance teams; set goals, coach performance, and foster a culture of accountability and inclusion.
• Manage external counsel relationships and budgets, focusing on reviewing legal bills and keeping costs under control.
• Establish and continuously improve legal processes, policies, and templates to scale support across the enterprise.
• Commercial and Government Contracts (Sales, Procurement, Operations):
• Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of agreements, including prime contracts with the US Government and subcontracts for work under US government prime contracts, Master Service Agreements, IP licensing, non-disclosure agreements, real property leases and strategic partnership agreements.
• Create and implement contract playbooks, fallback positions, templates, and clause libraries to streamline cycles.
• Collaborate with business teams to balance risk with speed-to-value; maintain visibility into obligations and renewals.
• Compliance and Trade Compliance (Sanctions, Export Controls, Customs & Ethics):
• Advise on global trade compliance frameworks (e.g., sanctions screening, EAR/ITAR classifications, licensing, technology transfers, restricted party screening, customs valuation/origin/marking).
• Develop and maintain policies, SOPs, and training; support audits and investigations; remediate findings.
• Monitor regulatory developments and industry trends; proactively update policies and training.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Enablement:
• Partner with Finance (pricing, revenue recognition, indemnities/limitations), IT/Security (data protection and controls), HR (employment matters), and Operations (Supply Chain, quality and logistics).
• M&A, Corporate Transactions & Due Diligence:
• Design and execute legal due diligence plans covering contracts, operations, IP, privacy/security, labor & employment, environmental, anti-bribery/anti-corruption, sanctions/export controls, material contracts, and litigation.
• Coordinate cross-functional integration (risk remediation, policy harmonization, contract novations, entity governance).
• Manage outside counsel efficiently, balancing cost, speed, and risk.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in the California State Bar or Registered In-House Counsel (RIHC).
• Minimum of 8 years of legal experience.
• Proven experience as in-house counsel or at a top-tier law firm.