VP, Legal

Job description

Who We Are GITAI is a vertically integrated space and defense company building the next generation of hardware for low-Earth-orbit missions. At our core is the space robotics technology that has defined GITAI from the beginning. A small, highly capable engineering team applies that foundation across satellite buses, in-orbit servicing robotics, and mission hardware for applications such as Earth observation. Today, a major focus of our work is supporting U.S. national security missions, particularly through proliferated LEO satellite constellations and other next-generation space systems. We design, build, integrate, and test much of our hardware in-house. Electrical, mechanical, software, manufacturing, integration, and test teams work closely together, allowing a small team to own complete systems rather than isolated components. This vertical integration helps us move quickly, learn directly from hardware, and shorten the path from architecture to a working system. We are still early. The systems, the company, and the market are all being built at the same time. Requirements change, technical problems are often ambiguous, and many answers do not yet exist. We are looking for exceptional engineers and operators who want broad ownership, can work across disciplines, and are willing to stay close to the hardware until the mission succeeds. Your Mission The VP, Legal will help build and operate the legal function behind GITAI’s next stage of growth as a space robotics company. This role reports to GITAI’s General Counsel and works closely with leadership, program management, engineering, finance, HR, security, and outside counsel. The mission is to make legal work a practical operating function for the business, not a slow approval layer. This is not a pure advisory role. You will draft, redline, negotiate, organize, escalate, and close. You will handle legal issues close to the actual work: U.S. government programs, commercial contracts, export-controlled technical data, suppliers, strategic partnerships, corporate governance, fundraising support, employment matters, and the operating risks that come with building real hardware for space and defense applications. GITAI needs a legal leader who can protect the company without stopping the company. The right person can make sound risk calls under time pressure, write clearly, negotiate directly, and build legal systems that are strong enough for government and defense work but light enough for an early-stage startup. What You’ll Drive Help the General Counsel build a legal function that enables GITAI to move faster, close better deals, and take smart risks as the company scales. Review, interpret, and advise on RFPs, purchase orders, customer terms, supplier terms, contract documents, and agency requirements. Support proposal, negotiation, and execution work for government, commercial, and strategic programs by identifying key business and legal terms early. Draft, redline, and negotiate agreements with customers, suppliers, contractors, consultants, partners, and other third parties. Translate legal issues into clear business choices: what we can accept, what we should negotiate, what needs escalation, and what should stop the deal. Work closely with program management, engineering, procurement, finance, HR, security, and leadership to keep contracts, customer obligations, supplier commitments, and internal execution aligned. Help structure practical positions on deliverables, acceptance terms, payment terms, IP rights, data rights, confidentiality, liability, indemnity, warranty, termination, cybersecurity, export control, and security requirements. Build and improve contract templates, negotiation playbooks, approval paths, tracking systems, and internal guidance so the company can move with speed and discipline. Support new customer opportunities, supplier relationships, strategic partnerships, and new business initiatives from early review through negotiation and execution. Manage outside counsel efficiently, using them for specialized judgment while keeping ownership of the business context inside GITAI. Prepare clear risk summaries, deal recommendations, and decision materials for the General Counsel, senior management, board stakeholders, customers, auditors, and outside advisors as needed. What We’re Looking For We are looking for a business-minded legal professional who can work close to the company’s actual execution. The right person is not only a legal reviewer, but someone who can help structure deals, clarify risk, and support fast decision-making in a technical, high-growth environment. You should have: J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school and an active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction. 5+ years of legal experience at a law firm, in-house legal department, or both, with meaningful exposure to corporate, commercial, transactional, technology, or other business-facing legal matters. At least 1 year of in-house legal experience at a venture-backed startup. Strong contract judgment, including experience reviewing, interpreting, and advising on RFPs, purchase orders, customer terms, supplier terms, and other business-critical legal documents. Ability to translate legal issues into practical business judgment, including what to accept, what to negotiate, what to escalate, and when to stop a deal. Clear communication and strong stakeholder management skills, including the ability to work directly with executives, engineers, program managers, finance, HR, security, customers, suppliers, and outside counsel. Ability to manage outside counsel efficiently while keeping ownership of the business context inside the company. High ownership and willingness to draft, redline, negotiate, organize, and close work directly. U.S. citizenship is required, as this role may require eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance. Strong plus: Experience with technology, robotics, aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, government contracting, or another highly technical industry. Experience reviewing RFPs, purchase orders, or contract documents from U.S. government agencies or defense-related customers. Deep knowledge of U.S. foreign investment and export control rules, including ITAR, EAR, CFIUS-related issues, controlled technical data, foreign person restrictions, and technology access controls. Experience with government contracts, commercial transactions, regulatory matters, litigation management, intellectual property, cybersecurity requirements, FAR/DFARS, data rights, or security obligations. Experience owning or helping operate a compliance function in a company where legal, security, export control, and business execution had to move together. Location & Employment Details Torrance, CA / Full-time This is a full-time onsite role based at GITAI’s office in Torrance, CA. This position requires working onsite five days per week. Remote or hybrid work is not expected for this role. Limited travel may be required based on business needs, including customer, partner, vendor, or company-related meetings. Compensation Base salary for this role is expected to range from $160,000 to $210,000 per year. Final title, compensation, and equity will depend on the candidate’s experience, legal judgment, startup operating experience, and ability to help GITAI move quickly while managing legal and business risk. Benefits Health Insurance – Platinum medical plan with 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees; 90% for dependents 401(k) Plan – Company match up to 3.5%, with traditional and Roth options Equity – Stock option eligibility depending on role Relocation Support – Available for qualifying positions Time Off – 12 paid holidays per year, 12 days of paid vacation per year, and paid sick leave (in accordance with applicable law) Office Perks – Free snacks and drinks, plus regular team events GITAI does not accept unsolicited resumes from staffing or recruiting agencies. We work only with recruiting partners that have been specifically engaged by GITAI. No fees will be paid for resumes submitted without a prior agreement. Compensation may include base salary or hourly pay and, depending on the position, equity. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, skillset, and other job-related factors. LA salary range $160,000 — $210,000 USD Important Notice Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), GITAI Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. GITAI USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment with GITAI USA 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.