Federal Contracts Lawyer

About us
We are EnduroSat! A fast-growing space scale-up at the forefront of satellite innovation, specializing in advanced software-flexible satellites for commercial, governmental, and scientific endeavors.

• This is more than a job, it’s a mission

  We are making space universally accessible and redefining what's possible.

• We get things done

  We take ownership of what we do and we work hard to make a difference.

• We are fearless

  Transparency is our only way forward. We dare to address and resolve issues head-on.

• We learn from our mistakes

  We deliver, take informed risks, and evolve to achieve our goals. We compare with the best version of ourselves

What is the role?

As an experienced Federal Contracting Lawyer you will become the founding legal leader for our US operations. In this role, you will own the entire contracting process - from proposal through award, negotiation, execution, and closeout - while building the legal function from the ground up and, over time, growing and managing your own team.

You will be the go-to expert on the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), ensuring EnduroSat remains fully compliant as we scale our work with the US Government and major Defense primes. You will also need a strong grasp of how Government agencies and large Defense contractors structure and execute deals, including teaming agreements, subcontracts, and public procurement processes.

Some of your daily tasks will include

• Managing the full lifecycle of federal contracts, from proposal and negotiation through award and closeout
• Ensuring compliance with FAR, DFARS, and related federal procurement regulations
• Advising on export control matters under ITAR/EAR in the context of government and defense contracting
• Negotiating terms directly with government agencies (e.g., DoD, NASA) and prime/subcontractors in the defense industry
• Structuring and reviewing teaming agreements, subcontracts, NDAs, and IP/licensing terms tied to government work
• Advising executive leadership on legal risk, deal structure, and procurement strategy
• Supporting proposal development with legal review for public procurement bids
• Monitoring changes in federal acquisition policy and regulatory updates that impact the business
• Laying the groundwork to build, hire, and eventually lead a broader legal team as the company scales

What do you need?

• J.D. and active license to practice law in the US (California Bar preferred)
• 7+ years of experience in federal contracting law, government contracts, or related legal work within the Aerospace/Defense industry
• Deep working knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and DFARS
• Hands-on experience with ITAR/EAR export control compliance
• Proven experience negotiating and structuring contracts with federal agencies and/or large Defense primes
• Familiarity with the public procurement process end-to-end
• Ability and willingness to build and eventually manage a legal team
• Strong negotiation, drafting, and stakeholder management skills

Personal skills

• Critical thinking and problem-solving mindset
• A quick learner, proactive, self-starter
• Excellent communication skills
• A team player with a positive attitude
• Comfortable operating with a high degree of ownership in a fast-scaling environment

What do we offer?

• Health insurance coverage
• Matching 401k plan
• Collaboration with the EnduroSat offices with occasional international travel

This role is based in Los Angeles area, at the center of the largest space and defense cluster in the United States - putting you within reach of our customers, launch providers, and partners across California. The position will be primarily on-site and in person at the office, with occasional travel visiting our headquarters in Europe.

Salary range: $180,000 - $240,000 per year. The salary will likely be within this range although it may differ based on experience level or other factors.

At EnduroSat, we embrace diversity and strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone is treated with fairness and respect. We are committed to equal employment opportunities without discrimination against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, this position is suitable for people with disabilities in accordance with the People with Disabilities National Regulation Act, ensuring accessibility and accommodation in the workplace.