General Counsel

Southern Launch is a place where curiosity, responsibility and ambition meet to deliver space mission success for our customers. We are bold, we are brave and we are building infrastructure to take technology to space…and back!

Since 2018 we have been pushing the boundaries of what is possible and achieving firsts for Australia and the world!

Our team thrives on solving hard problems, backing each other, and taking pride in work that genuinely matters. We move fast, think big and take responsibility, for our work, our customers and the communities we operate in.

At Southern Launch, you’re trusted to take ownership, encouraged to think differently, and supported by people who are grounded, capable and quietly determined. If you’re driven by impact, adventure and purpose, you’ll fit right in.

Come and help us shape the future of what’s possible, both here on Earth and beyond.

General Counsel As Southern Launch continues to enable Australia’s sovereign access to space, the General Counsel plays a critical role in ensuring the organisation operates with strong legal, regulatory and governance foundations.

This role provides trusted legal leadership across the business, supporting executive decision-making, managing legal risk and enabling commercial outcomes that align with Southern Launch’s strategic objectives.

Working at the intersection of aerospace operations, infrastructure delivery and government regulation, the General Counsel ensures the organisation’s legal framework supports growth, innovation and operational excellence.

This role directly supports launch operations, infrastructure development and strategic partnerships, helping shape an environment where complex operations can proceed with confidence and clarity.

Responsibilities Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the General Counsel responsibilities will be:

Lead Southern Launch’s legal strategy, providing clear, pragmatic and commercially focused legal advice to the executive team and Board

Support business growth initiatives, strategic transactions, partnerships and major projects with sound legal guidance

Identify legal and regulatory risks early and implement practical mitigation strategies aligned with organisational objectives

Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements, including customer contracts, supplier agreements, infrastructure agreements, leases and services contract

Support launch campaigns, infrastructure development and strategic partnerships through effective contract structuring and risk allocation

Establish and maintain contract governance frameworks and approval processes

Ensure compliance with applicable laws, licences, permits and regulatory frameworks relevant to aerospace, launch and infrastructure operations

Support corporate governance requirements, including Board processes, policies and statutory obligations

Maintain and continuously improve legal compliance frameworks aligned with enterprise risk management practices

Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and advise leadership on impacts and opportunities

Identify, assess and manage legal risks across the organisation, including disputes, claims and litigation

Manage incident response, investigations and regulatory engagement where required

Oversee insurance-related legal matters, including claims and coverage interpretation

Engage, manage and oversee external legal counsel to ensure high-quality, cost-effective legal support

Lead engagement with regulators and government, contributing to policy discussions and advocacy to support practical, enabling regulatory frameworks for commercial space operations

About You: Must be an Australian citizen

Qualified legal practitioner with a current Australian practicing certificate

Minimum 8 years’ post‑qualification experience in‑house and/or at a reputable commercial law firm, operating at a senior associate or partner level.

Strong expertise in commercial contracts, corporate law and regulatory compliance

Proven ability to advise executive leadership and support complex commercial and operational projects

Highly developed judgment, integrity and discretion when handling confidential and sensitive matters

A pragmatic, solutions-focused approach with strong commercial acumen

Strong communication skills, with the ability to provide clear, timely and actionable legal advice

Interest in working within a highly regulated, technically complex and mission-driven environment

We reach for the stars, but we stay grounded when it comes to looking after our people because bold ambition only works when everyone is supported to thrive.

We want you to take off in your career! Every employee has access to an annual career development budget to upskill and learn.

Every employee has access to wellbeing support including paid counselling sessions.

It might be a cake on your birthday, the monthly team BBQ or having chat while waiting for coffee (from our very nice coffee machine), we are here to support each other.

Celebrating our wins is important. We take the time every week to come together and share the wins in our lives, even if it is winning table tennis that day!

We inspire the next generation of space pioneers through education and STEM initiatives, think school visits with water bottle rockets!

Be the envy of your friends with free space swag Never did corporate attire look so good!

Oh and there’s also that small thing of being involved IN SPACE MISSIONS!

How to Apply: If this sounds like the job for you it’s time to hit the launch button and apply!

Your application will include the following questions:

Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Australia?

How many years' experience do you have as a General Counsel?

Do you hold a current Australian legal practising certificate?

How many years' experience do you have in corporate & commercial law?

Do you hold Australian Security Clearance?

#J-18808-Ljbffr