VP, Legal

About the Role 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 the General Counsel and partners with leadership, program management, engineering, finance, HR, security, and outside counsel to make legal work a practical operating function for the business.

What You'll Do

• Review, interpret, and advise on RFPs, purchase orders, customer terms, supplier terms, contract documents, and agency requirements.
• Support proposal, negotiation, and execution 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

• 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 obtain U.S. government security clearance and U.S. work authorization.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

Nice to Have

• Experience with government programs, export controls, cybersecurity, or defense contracting.
• Experience managing outside counsel and working in hardware/space/defense environments.
• Comfort operating in a fast-paced, early-stage startup.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $160,000-$210,000 per year (USD).
• Onsite role based in Torrance, CA.
• Full-time employment.