Senior Corporate Counsel
Axiom Space is a human space exploration company, building era-defining space infrastructure and delivering technology-driven solutions that will empower civilization to transcend Earth. Beginning with Axiom Station, successor to the International Space Station, the company is pioneering a next-generation orbital settlement that will foster groundbreaking innovation and research in microgravity and drive the global space economy of tomorrow. Today, guided by the vision of leading humanity's expansion off planet, Axiom Space is the principal provider of commercial human spaceflight services and developer of advanced spacesuits for the Moon and beyond. For more information about Axiom Space, visit www.axiomspace.com.
Axiom Space fosters a work environment inclusive of all perspectives. We are the pioneers of commercial space, leading the transformation of low-Earth orbit into a global space marketplace. Our mission-driven team is seeking a Senior Corporate Counsel who is fueled by high accountability and ownership, growth mindset, and driven to understand our world, science/technology, and life itself, for the benefit of all on Earth and beyond.
POSITION SUMMARY
Axiom Space seeks a Senior Corporate Counsel to serve as a senior legal leader and trusted advisor to the General Counsel and leadership team. This role helps set legal strategy, oversees key legal functions, manages risk, and ensures compliance with applicable laws and regulations while enabling business objectives. The Senior Corporate Counsel frequently acts on behalf of the General Counsel and may manage specialized legal matters or portfolios.
KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Legal Leadership & Strategy
Serve as a strategic advisor to the General Counsel and leadership on legal, compliance, and risk matters
Help define and execute the company's overall legal strategy in alignment with business goals
Act as the General Counsel's delegate when required
Corporate Transactions
Lead or support major corporate transactions such as financing, M&A, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships
Oversee subsidiary governance and entity management
Compliance & Risk Management
Oversee ethics and compliance with applicable federal, state, and international laws and regulations
Identify, assess, and mitigate legal and compliance risks across the organization
Partner with HR, Finance, Security, HR, and Commercial Operations on investigations, audits, and policy development
Commercial & Operational Legal Support
Provide legal guidance on commercial contracts, including customer, vendor, supplier, and technology agreements
Advise on employment, labor, and risk management (as applicable)
Provide legal support for finance function of the business
Develop and standardize contract templates and playbooks to support scale and efficiency
Team & Vendor Management
Lead, mentor, and develop paralegals, and legal operations professionals
Manage outside counsel relationships, budgets, and performance
Drive continuous improvement in legal processes, tools, and metrics
Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Education & Experience
Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
Active license to practice law in Texas
Typically, 10+ years of legal experience, with a mix of law firm and in-house roles preferred
Significant experience advising senior leadership and managing complex legal matters
Experience in a highly-regulated industry
Prior people leadership and/or functional ownership strongly preferred
Public company financial reporting experience preferred
Government contracts or international operations experience preferred
Security clearance preferred
Experience leading compliance function preferred
Enterprise Risk Management experience preferred
Functional Competencies
Strong business judgment and ability to balance legal risk with commercial objectives
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Proven ability to operate in a fast-paced, evolving environment
Uncompromising integrity and discretion
Collaborative leadership style with executive presence and influencing skills
Strong project management discipline, highly organized, and takes ownership.
Forges strong partnership with Finance, HR and other Executive leaders.
Uses sound judgement to problem-solve proactively, positively impacting hard challenges
Demonstrated organization skills to meet tight deadlines with high quality results
Strong agility and adaptability to integrate quickly into a small team.
Core Skills
Passion for space and the mission.
Entrepreneurial, growth mindset.
High EQ and ability to collaborate within teams and cross-functionally.
Tech-solutioning in using systems and tools to move smarter and faster.
Core Competencies
Embody our core values of Leadership, Innovation, and Teamwork. In addition, to perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
Accountability
Technical Rigor
Execution Discipline
Pride of Delivery
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Generally, an office environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Requirements
Must be able to complete a U.S. government background investigation.
Management has the discretion to select at any level for which the position is advertised.
Proof of U.S. Citizenship or US Permanent Residency is a requirement for this position.
Must be willing to work evenings and weekends as needed to meet critical milestones.
Axiom Space is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Axiom Space does not discriminate on the basis of race, regional color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.