Listed on Orbital Diplomat 24 Jul 2026
ClearSpace is a Swiss-founded space debris removal and in-orbit servicing company operating across the UK and Europe, working with ESA, national space agencies, and leading industry partners to deliver the world's first active debris removal mission. As the regulatory and commercial landscape for active debris removal (ADR) and in-orbit servicing (IOS) matures, ClearSpace is building the institutional and legal infrastructure to operate as the sector's defining commercial actor. This Director, Legal role is one of the most substantively rich space law positions currently available in the commercial sector. Reporting to the CFO and serving as primary legal counsel to the CEO, Board, and executive leadership, the postholder will own the full spectrum of ClearSpace's legal function: end-to-end negotiation of complex institutional contracts with ESA, UKSA, CNES, DLR, and other government partners; national licensing and authorisation processes across multiple jurisdictions for mission operations; international space law framework compliance; export control management (ITAR/EAR and EU Dual-Use Regulation); and IP portfolio stewardship. Particularly notable is the role's engagement with the frontier of space governance: the postholder will monitor and proactively engage with evolving policy on ITU spectrum filings, debris mitigation rules (FCC 5-year rule, ESA ZEDM standards), and international negotiations on active debris removal authorisation frameworks — one of the most consequential and unsettled areas of contemporary space law. The role involves building and leading ClearSpace's legal team as the company scales.
Qualified lawyer with 10+ years of post-qualification experience Demonstrable experience in the space, satellite, or aerospace sector including hands-on work on institutional or government contracts Strong commercial contracting skills with independent negotiation of complex, high-value agreements Working knowledge of the international space law framework and at least one national licensing regime Export control experience — ITAR/EAR or equivalent EU, Swiss, or UK dual-use regulation Comfortable operating as a senior generalist across multiple legal disciplines simultaneously Demonstrated ability to engage and influence at board and C-suite level Desirable: experience with ESA institutional contracting (ECSS standards, ESA GCC, procurement procedures) Desirable: background at a NewSpace company, satellite operator, or deep-tech scale-up in a solo or lead legal role Desirable: familiarity with RPO, ADR, or in-orbit servicing as an emerging regulatory and liability domain Desirable: IP prosecution and patent portfolio strategy experience in space hardware, software, or robotics Desirable: French and/or German language skills