Legal Counsel – Space Propulsion

Dawn Aerospace is a space transportation company with operations across the Netherlands, France, New Zealand, and the USA, focusing on three areas: in-space green propulsion systems (with over 170 units deployed on more than 40 operational satellites), satellite refuelling and life-extension services, and a reusable spaceplane capable of high-frequency sub-orbital access. As a leading supplier of turnkey propulsion to the commercial satellite sector, Dawn operates in a highly regulated international environment spanning export controls, R&D consortia, and institutional procurement. This Legal Counsel role sits within the growing legal team reporting to the General Counsel, with primary responsibility for supporting the space propulsion division. Day-to-day work covers the full commercial contracts lifecycle — drafting and negotiating NDAs, sales and service agreements, R&D contracts, consortium agreements, and EU grant agreements — alongside support to business development on bid terms and to project management on contract execution monitoring. The role is particularly well-suited to space law or international trade law practitioners with in-house or law firm experience in the aerospace or technology sector. Export control expertise — especially EU Dual Use Regulation, ITAR, and EAR — is explicitly valued, as is familiarity with EU regulatory frameworks and Dutch law. The position begins as a 12-month fixed-term contract with a view to permanency.

University degree in Law (LLB or equivalent) 2+ years of experience in contracts and commercial law in a law firm or in-house technology or aerospace environment Experience negotiating commercial agreements, consortium agreements, and EU grant agreements Knowledge of intellectual property law including trademarks, patents, and licensing Excellent command of English Desirable: 3+ years of relevant experience and prior aerospace industry exposure Desirable: experience with export controls in aerospace or defence (EU Dual Use, ITAR, EAR) Desirable: Master's degree in international trade, space law, or a related field Desirable: exceptional knowledge of Dutch law and/or common law Desirable: additional language proficiency