Legal Officer (Space Industry)

Legal Officer: Contracts & Compliance – Space Sector

Our client is seeking a legally trained professional to support its fast-paced and technically complex operations. As a Legal Officer, you will play a critical role in managing commercial contracts and ensuring compliance with international trade and export control regulations, particularly in relation to sensitive space technologies and dual-use goods.

This position requires a detail-oriented legal professional with a strong understanding of contract law and global export regimes, who thrives in environments where legal, technical, and commercial considerations intersect.

Job Purpose:
Support legal and operational integrity in the global space industry by managing commercial agreements and ensuring full compliance with international export control frameworks.

Key Responsibilities:
Contractual & Legal Support

• Draft, review, and negotiate NDAs, supplier agreements, and customer contracts.
• Ensure contractual terms are legally sound, commercially aligned, and risk-conscious.
• Work closely with engineering, procurement, and business development teams to align legal language with project objectives.
• Maintain and update contract templates; support automation of legal workflows.

Export Control & Trade Compliance

• Ensure adherence to EU Dual-Use Regulation, US EAR/ITAR, and other relevant international export control frameworks.
• Classify space-related technologies, components, and software for export control purposes.
• Conduct due diligence and restricted party screenings for international transactions.
• Advise on export licensing requirements and manage license applications.
• Monitor regulatory changes and geopolitical developments affecting trade compliance.

Compliance Program Development

• Help develop and implement internal policies, training, and awareness programs.
• Support internal audits, investigations, and reporting related to compliance.
• Coordinate with regulatory authorities and external legal counsel as required.

Required Qualifications:

• Law degree (LL.B or equivalent); specialization in international trade or commercial law is an advantage.

Required Experience:

• Proven experience in contract law and export compliance, ideally within the aerospace, defense, or space technology sectors.
• Strong knowledge of EU and US export control regimes (e.g., EAR, ITAR, dual-use regulations).
• Proficient in legal drafting and commercial negotiations.
• Fluent in English; additional languages (such as French or Dutch) are a plus.

Desirable Qualifications & Attributes:

• LL.M in international trade or commercial law.
• Experience with legal and compliance aspects of satellite systems or other space technologies.
• Familiarity with legal and compliance management tools.
• Highly organized, analytical, and detail-oriented.
• Comfortable working cross-functionally in a fast-evolving, high-stakes environment.
• Willingness to expand knowledge into technical and regulatory subject matter.
• Comfortable navigating legal grey areas with sound judgment and risk awareness.

If you are interested in this role, please apply today.
angela.olmo@newspacetechnical.com