Provide strategic legal counsel on U.S. government and defense contracts across the full lifecycle. Advise on FAR/DFARS, negotiate prime/subcontracts, support compliance (cost accounting, audits, data rights, cybersecurity), manage contract performance, disputes, and outside counsel, and develop scalable processes, templates, and training to support government contracting activities.
As Senior Associate, Government Contracts, at Impulse, you will serve as our in-house subject-matter expert on government contracting, providing strategic legal counsel across the full lifecycle of U.S. government and defense programs. This is a senior, high-impact role for a seasoned government contracts attorney who thrives with autonomy — advising executives, negotiating complex agreements, managing compliance obligations, and helping a fast-moving commercial space company operate effectively in a highly regulated market. You will play a central role in shaping how Impulse engages with government customers and defense prime contractors, balancing risk management with the speed of execution our business demands.
NOTE: This position is on-site (either Redondo Beach or Washington DC)
NOTE: This position is on-site (either Redondo Beach or Washington DC)
Responsibilities
- Serve as legal advisor on U.S. government contracts and subcontracts, including prime and subcontractor relationships
- Advise on FAR, DFARS, and related agency regulations, including clause applicability and flow-down requirements
- Partner with Business Development, Program Management, Finance, and Operations on government-related pursuits, contract negotiations, execution, and longterm compliance
- Review, negotiate, and support: government contracts and task orders; subcontracts with defense primes and government suppliers; teaming agreements, CRADAs, and other collaboration agreements
- Provide guidance on compliance topics including cost accounting, audits, data rights, cybersecurity obligations, and procurement integrity
- Support internal stakeholders on contract performance issues, modifications, claims, disputes, and terminations
- Develop scalable processes, templates, and training related to government contracting compliance
- Collaborate with Business Development, Legal and Compliance teams to ensure systems support regulatory requirements
- Retain and manage outside counsel and consultants (and associated budgets) as needed for specialized government contracting matters
Minimum Qualifications
- J.D. from an accredited law school and active U.S. bar membership
- 10+ years of government contracts law experience, in a law firm and/or in-house
- 5+ years of demonstrated experience in aerospace and/or defense
- Comprehensive knowledge of FAR/DFARS and foundational government contracting principles
- Sound business judgment and the ability to draft contract language, provide practical risk-based guidance, and navigate novel legal questions with clarity
- Strong communicator with the presence and confidence to engage senior leadership and external counterparts
- Comfortable operating in fast-paced, high-growth environments where priorities shift and self-direction is essential
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Previous working experience at a law firm
- 5+ years of demonstrated law experience supporting defense, or national security programs as it pertains to space
- Familiarity advising across both the prime contract and subcontract levels
- Demonstrated background with commercial space, launch vehicles, or in-space transportation
Additional Information:
Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.
Impulse Space’s spacecraft manufacturing business is subject to U.S. export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). This position requires applicants to be either U.S. Persons (i.e., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent U.S. resident (green card holder), an individual granted asylum in the U.S., or an individual admitted in U.S. refugee status) or persons eligible to obtain an export license from the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, or other applicable U.S. government agencies. Learn more about the ITAR here.
Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.
Impulse Space’s spacecraft manufacturing business is subject to U.S. export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). This position requires applicants to be either U.S. Persons (i.e., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent U.S. resident (green card holder), an individual granted asylum in the U.S., or an individual admitted in U.S. refugee status) or persons eligible to obtain an export license from the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, or other applicable U.S. government agencies. Learn more about the ITAR here.
Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space 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.
About
Impulse Space, the in-space transportation company founded by Tom Mueller, is opening access beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with its fleet of in-space transportation vehicles. The high-energy Helios vehicle unlocks orbits beyond LEO with its powerful Deneb engine, dropping off payloads in MEO, GEO, heliocentric, lunar, and other planetary orbits. The flight-proven Mira vehicle uses a nontoxic, high-impulse chemical propulsion system to offer orbital transport, constellation deployment, and precision reentry services to customers throughout LEO. Led by a team that delivered the most reliable rockets in history, Impulse provides economical and efficient in-space transportation by reliably and rapidly getting customers where they want to go.
Impulse Space El Segundo, California, USA Office
El Segundo, CA, United States, 90245
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