[Hiring] Space Systems Commercial & Legal Contracts Specialist @Satellogic

Role Description

Satellogic is seeking a commercially minded legal and contracts professional to support the development, negotiation and execution of complex international satellite and sovereign space mission agreements. Working directly with Satellogic’s Space Systems sales pod, as well as Legal, Finance, Engineering and Program Management teams, the successful candidate will play a key role in managing the contractual and legal aspects of satellite sales, constellation programmes and strategic partnerships.

The position combines commercial contract management, legal drafting, negotiation support and contractual risk assessment, ensuring Satellogic's commercial interests are protected while enabling the business to move efficiently from opportunity development through contract award and execution. This is a hands-on role suited to someone with a strong understanding of commercial contracts, preferably within aerospace, defence, technology or government procurement.

Key Responsibilities

• Contract Drafting & Negotiation
  • Prepare, review and negotiate commercial agreements relating to satellite sales, constellation programmes and associated services.
  • Support the drafting and negotiation of satellite procurement agreements, master supply agreements, NDAs, MoUs, teaming agreements and strategic partnership arrangements.
  • Review contractual terms covering liability, indemnities, warranties, intellectual property, acceptance criteria, payment milestones and termination provisions.
  • Identify contractual risks and recommend commercially practical solutions.
  • Support customer negotiations alongside the SVP of Space Systems and Satellogic's Legal team.
  • Ensure contracts accurately reflect agreed commercial and technical commitments.
• Sovereign Mission & Strategic Agreements
  • Support contractual structures for sovereign satellite programmes involving government customers, local industrial partners and prime contractors.
  • Assist with agreements covering local Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT), Technology Transfer (ToT), Transfer of Knowledge (ToK) and intellectual property licensing.
  • Review contractual requirements relating to localization, industrial participation, export controls and regulatory compliance, coordinating with specialist counsel where appropriate.
  • Support the development of commercial and contractual frameworks for joint ventures, strategic partnerships and local operating arrangements.
  • Help structure agreements that balance customer sovereignty requirements with Satellogic's commercial interests and intellectual property protections.
• Commercial & Legal Risk Management
  • Assess commercial and contractual exposure across international opportunities.
  • Identify risks associated with delivery schedules, performance guarantees, liquidated damages, payment security and customer acceptance.
  • Work with Finance and Legal to ensure appropriate contractual protections and approval processes.
  • Support the review of customer tender conditions and government procurement requirements.
  • Maintain clear records of negotiated terms, deviations and outstanding contractual issues.
  • Escalate material legal and commercial risks to the appropriate decision-makers.
• Bid, Proposal & Commercial Support
  • Review contractual requirements within RFPs, RFQs and government tenders.
  • Support the preparation of commercial proposals, contractual responses and BAFO submissions.
  • Coordinate with Engineering and Programme Management to ensure technical commitments are contractually achievable.
  • Assist in developing commercial terms, milestone payment structures and delivery conditions.
  • Support internal contract reviews and approval processes ahead of customer submissions.
• Contract Execution & Governance
  • Maintain oversight of contractual obligations following award.
  • Support the handover of executed agreements to Programme Management and delivery teams.
  • Track contract amendments, variations, milestone obligations and customer commitments.
  • Assist with contractual disputes, claims and change requests in coordination with Legal.
  • Maintain a structured contract repository and support improvements to contractual processes and templates.
  • Ensure appropriate contractual governance without unnecessarily slowing commercial execution.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of relevant experience in commercial contracts, legal operations, contract management or commercial law.
• A law degree or recognised legal qualification is strongly preferred; qualification as a practising solicitor or lawyer would be advantageous.
• Experience drafting, reviewing and negotiating complex commercial agreements.
• Good understanding of contractual risk allocation, liability, indemnities, intellectual property and payment protections.
• Experience working with government customers, defence contractors or complex technology suppliers.
• Strong commercial judgement and the ability to translate legal considerations into practical business recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to operate independently and work closely with senior commercial leadership.

Desirable Experience

• Aerospace, satellite manufacturing, defence or space industry experience.
• Government-to-business or government-to-government procurement exposure.
• Experience with technology transfer, licensing and international industrial partnerships.
• Familiarity with export controls, sanctions and cross-border contractual requirements.
• Experience supporting high-value international programmes, particularly in the Middle East and Europe.
• Understanding of contract structures involving local primes, subcontractors and sovereign customers.

Personal Attributes

• Commercially pragmatic: Understands that the objective is to enable business while managing risk.
• Legally astute: Able to identify contractual exposure and recommend proportionate protections.
• Confident: Comfortable engaging with customers, external counsel and senior executives.
• Independent: Capable of taking ownership of contract preparation and negotiations.
• Solution-oriented: Focused on resolving issues rather than simply highlighting obstacles.
• Detail-driven: Able to manage complex contractual requirements without losing sight of the wider commercial objective.

Measures of Success

• Faster preparation, review and negotiation of commercial agreements.
• Improved contractual protection and reduced commercial exposure.
• Effective management of legal and contractual issues during sovereign mission negotiations.
• Reduced reliance on senior commercial leadership for day-to-day contract administration.
• Successful transition of negotiated contracts into programme execution.
• Stronger coordination between Space Systems, Legal, Finance and Program Management.