Senior Counsel

SENIOR COUNSEL

Based on site at Rocket Labs 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. • 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. • Experience in negotiating contracts, non-disclosure agreements and IP licenses.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• 10+ years of experience strongly preferred. • Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to articulate and effectively communicate information to various levels of management and program teams. • Experience managing a team of professionals. setting goals, coaching performance, and fostering a culture of 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 the compliance requirements of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and the Export Administration Regulations. • Demonstrate initiative and the ability to take on greater responsibilities with potential for leadership opportunities over time. • Capable of adapting to fast-paced changes, shifting priorities, evolving directions, and addressing unique legal challenges.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to obtain a DoD Top Secret security clearance. • Domestic and International travel as necessary to support business needs. • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus. • Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing. • Must be physically able to commute to buildings. • Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise.