About this opportunity
SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP lists this Counsel, Global Trade Compliance opportunity in northern, Kentucky. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
COUNSEL, GLOBAL TRADE COMPLIANCE
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.
SpaceX’s rapid growth has created an opportunity to add a Global Trade Compliance Counsel to the Legal team. This person will serve as an attorney subject matter expert for export controls across SpaceX launch, satellite, and AI programs and provide critical support for various Global Trade Compliance matters including anti‑corruption and anti‑boycott compliance as needed. This attorney will also play a leading role on the Global Trade Compliance Team in liaising with internal and external stakeholders and helping to oversee and improve SpaceX’s global trade compliance policies and procedures.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Provide expert advice and guidance concerning the requirements and obligations for handling export‑controlled commodities, material, software, technical data, and defense services under the International Traffic and Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administrations Regulations (EAR)
Drive continuous growth and improvement for SpaceX’s export compliance program under the ITAR and the EAR; draft and update policies and procedures, close control gaps and utilize technology tools (such as artificial intelligence) to optimize export compliance
Partner with engineering teams on jurisdiction and classification determinations for hardware, software, and technology used in rocket and satellite systems
Support engagement with the Departments of State and Commerce on regulator interpretations and required authorizations
Prepare and manage export and sanctions licenses and use of license exceptions and exemptions as applicable
Lead investigations into potential matters of non‑compliance with trade regulations, including preparing investigation reports, implementing corrective actions, and determining reporting requirements
Conduct and participate in internal compliance audits and support continuous improvements of policies and procedures to help streamline and simplify
Develop strong, trusted advisor relationships with internal SpaceX business partners
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
JD from an ABA‑accredited law school
3+ years of experience in a corporate legal department or law firm advising on U.S. federal regulatory matters, including export controls, sanctions, national‑security or trade matters
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
Comprehensive and up‑to‑date knowledge of U.S. export laws and regulations and U.S economic sanctions
Experience advising on multiple trade compliance disciplines, including non‑U.S. export control laws (e.g., EU/UK), anti‑bribery/anti‑corruption, or antiboycott laws and regulations
Experience drafting advisory opinion or other legal opinion requests to the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Treasury, and other federal agencies
Experience conducting and reviewing due diligence and providing legal risk analysis.
Experience leading or supporting internal compliance reviews and investigations
Comfortable owning an ambiguous problem end‑to‑end; takes initiative to find practical solutions
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 - remote work not considered
Must be able to work extended hours and weekends as needed
COUNSEL, GLOBAL TRADE COMPLIANCE
SpaceX’s rapid growth has created an opportunity to add a Global Trade Compliance Counsel to the Legal team. This person will serve as an attorney subject matter expert for export controls across SpaceX launch, satellite, and AI programs and provide critical support for various Global Trade Compliance matters including anti‑corruption and anti‑boycott compliance as needed. This attorney will also play a leading role on the Global Trade Compliance Team in liaising with internal and external stakeholders and helping to oversee and improve SpaceX’s global trade compliance policies and procedures.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Provide expert advice and guidance concerning the requirements and obligations for handling export‑controlled commodities, material, software, technical data, and defense services under the International Traffic and Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administrations Regulations (EAR)
Drive continuous growth and improvement for SpaceX’s export compliance program under the ITAR and the EAR; draft and update policies and procedures, close control gaps and utilize technology tools (such as artificial intelligence) to optimize export compliance
Partner with engineering teams on jurisdiction and classification determinations for hardware, software, and technology used in rocket and satellite systems
Support engagement with the Departments of State and Commerce on regulator interpretations and required authorizations
Prepare and manage export and sanctions licenses and use of license exceptions and exemptions as applicable
Lead investigations into potential matters of non‑compliance with trade regulations, including preparing investigation reports, implementing corrective actions, and determining reporting requirements
Conduct and participate in internal compliance audits and support continuous improvements of policies and procedures to help streamline and simplify
Develop strong, trusted advisor relationships with internal SpaceX business partners
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
JD from an ABA‑accredited law school
3+ years of experience in a corporate legal department or law firm advising on U.S. federal regulatory matters, including export controls, sanctions, national‑security or trade matters
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
Comprehensive and up‑to‑date knowledge of U.S. export laws and regulations and U.S economic sanctions
Experience advising on multiple trade compliance disciplines, including non‑U.S. export control laws (e.g., EU/UK), anti‑bribery/anti‑corruption, or antiboycott laws and regulations
Experience drafting advisory opinion or other legal opinion requests to the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Treasury, and other federal agencies
Experience conducting and reviewing due diligence and providing legal risk analysis.
Experience leading or supporting internal compliance reviews and investigations
Comfortable owning an ambiguous problem end‑to‑end; takes initiative to find practical solutions
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 - remote work not considered
Must be able to work extended hours and weekends as needed
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay Range:
Level 3: $190,000.00 - $255,000.00
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job‑related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long‑term incentives, in the form of company stock or long‑term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long‑term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.
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 Aff… or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to
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Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
Blind or low vision
Cancer (past or present)
Cardiovascular or heart disease
Celiac disease
Cerebral palsy
Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
Diabetes
Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
Intellectual or developmental disability
Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
Neurodivergence, for example, attention‑deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
Short stature (dwarfism)
Traumatic brain injury
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Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.