Legal Counsel

About Manufacturo
The industries we serve don't have plan B.
Manufacturo powers operations for companies building rockets, fusion reactors, next-generation aircraft, and hypersonic defense systems. Our clients aren't optimizing widgets - they’re engineering the infrastructure of the next century.
We're a SaaS company spun out of a proven software organization, with a team that includes former leaders from SpaceX. We move fast, we operate globally, and we don't settle for average in anything we do.
Manufacturo is building the operating system for the most ambitious manufacturers on the planet. We'd like to find someone who thinks this matters.
Why This Role
Scope of ownership: As the primary U.S. legal resource, you will own commercial contracting and data privacy end to end and shape how the wider legal and compliance function develops.
Access to senior leadership: The role reports to the General Counsel and CEO and works directly with the executive team, with a direct line into business decisions.
Complex regulatory exposure: You will work government contracting, and sector-specific frameworks driven by customers in defense, space, energy, and aviation.
Build, not just advise: This is a chance to build legal and compliance infrastructure in a growing company rather than maintain an established one.
About the Role
Manufacturo is seeking a Legal Counsel to serve as the primary in-house legal resource for the company’s U.S. operations. You will support the full spectrum of Manufacturo’s legal needs — from commercial contracts and corporate matters to data privacy and regulatory support — working directly with the Sales, Product, Compliance, and Security teams, alongside the General Counsel and executive team.
The right candidate is comfortable working in a complex regulatory environment and eager to develop specialized expertise in areas such as export controls, government contracting, and industry-specific compliance frameworks.
What you’ll do
Commercial & Contracts
Draft, review, and negotiate the company’s Terms of Use, Order Forms, Data Processing Agreements (DPAs), and NDAs with enterprise clients across the defense, space, energy, and aviation sectors, including negotiated terms where enterprise clients require them.
Advise on contract provisions related to data sovereignty, security certifications, indemnification, and liability; support enterprise sales with legal review of RFPs and large-client negotiations.
Manage vendor and partner agreements, ensuring regulatory flow-down compliance where required.
Regulatory & Compliance
Provide legal guidance to the compliance and security teams on the company’s obligations across applicable regulatory domains.
Advise on the legal aspects of customer onboarding, platform access controls, and contractual representations.
Review compliance policies, procedures, and customer-facing representations for legal sufficiency, supporting rather than owning the compliance team’s programs.
Instruct and manage outside counsel on specialized regulatory questions and formal filings where required.
Data Privacy & Cybersecurity
Support Manufacturo’s data privacy compliance program, with primary responsibility for U.S. requirements (CCPA/CPRA) and coordination on cross-border data transfers.
Draft and maintain standard Data Processing Agreement (DPA) templates for enterprise customers; advise on data residency and sovereignty requirements.
Corporate & Employment
Support corporate governance for Manufacturo.
Advise on U.S. employment law matters across the states where Manufacturo has employees, including remote-workforce considerations.
Coordinate with the General Counsel and legal team on cross-border matters.
What we’re looking for
Required
Active membership in the California State Bar preferred; candidates admitted in other U.S. states will be considered for remote arrangements.
5+ years of experience in corporate/commercial law — either a law firm background with an in-house transition, or direct in-house experience.
Working knowledge of SaaS Terms of Use and enterprise software licensing, rather than traditional MSA-based structures.
Familiarity with data privacy law (CCPA/CPRA and/or GDPR).
Demonstrated ability to work independently and build legal infrastructure in a fast-paced technology environment.
Preferred
Prior experience in defense tech, aerospace, or regulated-industry SaaS, whether gained at a law firm or in-house.
Exposure to export controls (ITAR, EAR), government contracting (FAR/DFARS), or federal cybersecurity frameworks (FedRAMP, CMMC).
Familiarity with AI governance and legal review of AI-powered software products.
What you’ll get in return
Compensation: $170,000 – $200,000 per year, commensurate with experience and regulatory specialization.
Annual performance bonus tied to company and individual objectives.
Eligibility to participate in the company’s equity incentive plan.
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
401(k) retirement plan with employer match.
3 weeks of paid time off, plus applicable state and federal holidays.
Professional development budget: State Bar dues, CLE credits, export control and data privacy certifications, legal publications.
Direct exposure to clients and projects at the frontier of space, defense, and clean energy technology.

Work arrangement
Yes