Director of Government Contracts

At Stoke, we believe a thriving space economy will enable a vibrant, sustainable, and equitable future here on Earth. That is why we’re building Nova, our fully and rapidly reusable launch vehicle. Designed for daily flight, Nova tackles the core challenges of space transportation by reducing cost, increasing availability, and improving reliability. By radically lowering launch costs and increasing flight cadence, we’re helping create a truly scalable space industry.

Our team is mission-driven, collaborative, and empowered to take ownership of their work. If you want to work alongside some of the most dedicated and talented people on Earth, we’d love to have you join us.

Description

Reusable launch systems are the key to seamlessly connecting Earth and space. We are seeking an experienced government contracts attorney to serve as Director of Government Contracts at Stoke. In this role, you will lead the end-to-end government contracting process, including advising on federal contract proposal and contract terms and conditions, leading negotiations, and overseeing contract administration. You will play a critical role in establishing and maintaining a robust government contracts compliance program, drafting and implementing practical company-wide policies and procedures as needed, ensuring adherence to legal requirements, regulatory obligations, and customer contract provisions.

You will also help support broader aspects of the legal function including reviewing and negotiating commercial agreements, including software license agreements, vendor agreements, NDAs, etc. As part of a small, well-supported team, you will be integral to program success and future growth opportunities. This role offers a unique opportunity to work with a high level of autonomy and impact, requiring someone who can prioritize, stay focused, move quickly, self-direct, and continuously learn in a fast-paced environment.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of US Government contract negotiations, contract administration, and customer contract activities to manage US Government contracts in accordance with policies, legal requirements, and customer requirements

• Ensure fulfillment of contract requirements and manage contract changes

• Extremely proficient in understanding and communicating contract requirements, government compliance and deliverables

• Review and advise on US Government Terms & Conditions, including OTAs, FAR, DFARS, cybersecurity, data privacy and other regulations governing US Government and commercial hardware and services contracts

• Build, implement and manage compliance program for FAR, DFARS, OTAs, cybersecurity, data security and other federal procurement regulations to ensure adherence to federal regulations and contractual requirements

• Provide guidance on government contract interpretation, regulatory requirements, and risk mitigation strategies

• Support proposal preparation, review and compliance for government solicitations

• Manage relationships with government contracting officers and procurement officials

Additional Responsibilities:

Assist with general legal department matters, including:

• Review and negotiate software licenses and technology agreements

• Draft, review and negotiate vendor and other commercial contracts

• Supporting corporate governance and compliance matters

• Provide legal counsel on day-to-day operational issues

• Demonstrate flexibility to assist with various legal matters outside your core expertise as business needs arise

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school with active bar membership

• 8+ years of experience in government contracts law, preferably in aerospace, defense, or hardware technology sectors

• Deep knowledge of federal procurement processes, regulations, compliance requirements, and contracting procedures throughout the federal acquisition cycle across all program and contract types (e.g., grants, OTAs, SBIR/STTR, FAR/DFARS)

• Experience building and managing practical and executable compliance programs and processes

• Excellent analytical, negotiation, and communication skills

• Ability to prioritize and balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and build

• Consensus-builder among cross-functional teams to find solutions that fulfill both legal and business mandates

• Experience negotiating a broad range of commercial agreements, including software licensing agreements, vendor agreements, NDAs, and other commercial contracts

• Aerospace, defense or hardware technology industry experience highly desirable

• Familiarity and/or comfort understanding technically complex systems.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex contractual information clearly to various stakeholder types

• Ability to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances

• Self-starter with demonstrated history of ownership and accountability

Benefits

• Equity – We know that our employees are the reason we succeed. To give everyone a stake in our future, we are pleased to offer equity in the form of stock options to all regular, full-time employees.

• Comprehensive benefits program including subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Company-paid life and disability insurance

• 401(k) plan with employer match

• 4 weeks’ Paid Time Off

• Holidays – 10 days (including an end-of-year closure)

• Paid Family/Parental Leave

• On-site gym or monthly wellness stipend (depending on location)

• Dog friendly offices!

Compensation

Target Levels:

• Level 4 Range: $163,275 - $244,860

• Level 5 Range: $195,930 - $293,790

Our job posts are intentionally written to attract a wide variety of experience levels, and we make decisions about the right fit on a per-candidate basis.

Your actual level and base salary will be decided based on your specific experience and skill level.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Equal Opportunity

The Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including with respect to disability and veteran status. It is committed to compliance with all equal opportunity laws, including the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and Title VII. It does not discriminate on the basis of nationality, race, citizenship, immigration status, or any other protected class when it comes to employment practices, including hiring.

Employment at the Company is contingent upon satisfactory completion of reference and background checks, and on your ability to prove your identity and authorization to work in the U.S. for the Company. Employees must comply with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services employment verification requirements, and, therefore, they must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 at the start of employment and re-verify authorization to work periodically.

Separate from this I-9 process, this position entails access to certain technology and technical data that is restricted under U.S. export control laws and regulations. Employment or continued employment may be conditioned on your legal authorization to work with or have access to export control materials as necessary to perform your job.

E-Verify

Stoke Space uses E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires.