Head of Legal

Role Summary
We are looking for a meticulous and detail-oriented Legal Head to join our growing team. The ideal candidate will have experience in building a legal framework for the entire Company, drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a variety of legal documents, including shareholder agreements, financing agreements, customer agreements, vendor agreements, lease agreements, technology transfer agreements, government agreements, land purchase agreements. Knowledge of space law and statutory compliance is a strong advantage. The role also involves handling due diligence, ensuring legal and secretarial compliances,.
Key Responsibilities
1.Drafting and Vetting of Agreements
Draft and negotiate launch services agreements with domestic and international satellite customers, including liability caps, cross-waivers, delay and re-flight terms
Draft, review and negotiate vendor agreements, including those related to procurement, logistics, and services.
Draft, review and negotiate lease agreements, land purchase agreements, other agreements and ensure no legal exposure.
Build templates, a delegation-of-authority matrix and a contract lifecycle process the business can run day to day.
2.Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)
Draft, review, and negotiate NDAs with external stakeholders like investors, customers, vendors, lessors, etc.
3.Space Law Expertise
Understand and interpret space laws, working closely with space authorities to ensure compliance with relevant regulations.
4.Statutory Compliance
Ensure compliance with statutory requirements, including but not limited to the Factories Act, Environmental Acts, Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) regulations, Labour Laws, Information Technology Laws, and Data Protection Laws.
Oversee the timely filing of statutory returns.
Obtaining SCOMET licenses, SEZ Compliances, IN-SPACe compliances, etc.,
5.Corporate, Due Diligence, Fundraising and Governance
Lead legal work on fundraising rounds, ESOPs, M&A and a future IPO, with outside counsel.
Ensure FDI compliance for the space sector (sector caps and approval routes for launch vehicles) and FEMA reporting.
Conduct and manage legal due diligence for various business transactions.
Handle Equity and Debt fundraising transactions, including Shareholder Agreements, Share Subscription Agreements, and Financing Agreements.
6.Compliance Management
Drive the implementation of a Compliance Management Tool across the company.
7.Government Liaison & Policy
Interact with Central and State Governments for policy driving and implementation in space and other laws.
8.Manufacturing, safety and environment
Secure licences for propellants and explosives under PESO rules, factory licences and fire/safety approvals.
Manage environmental clearances, pollution-control consents and hazardous-waste rules for test and production sites.
Advise on land acquisition and leases for factories, test beds and launch infrastructure.
9.Employment, data and compliance
Oversee labour codes, contractor engagement, POSH and non-compete/confidentiality frameworks.
Run compliance with the DPDP Act 2023, CERT-In directions and information security for sensitive technical data.
Set up the code of conduct, anti-bribery, whistleblower and related-party policies; report compliance status to the Board.
10.Disputes and risk
Manage litigation, arbitration and regulatory proceedings.
Own the legal risk register.
11.Corporate Governance & Board Support
Plan, organise, and coordinate Board of Directors' meetings, committee meetings, Annual General Meetings (AGMs), and Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs).
Prepare and circulate meeting agendas, notices, detailed minutes, and resolutions, and ensure follow-up on action items.
Maintain statutory registers, records, and minutes books in compliance with the Companies Act, 2013.
Ensure timely and accurate filing of forms with the Registrar of Companies (ROC) through the MCA21 portal (e.g., MGT-7, AOC-4, DIR-12).
12.Investor Relations & Corporate Affairs
Manage shareholder communication, cap table maintenance, and investor reporting.
Provide secretarial support during fundraising rounds, share allotments, and ESOP administration.
Serve as a liaison between the company, shareholders, regulatory agencies, and external auditors.
Candidate Requirements
Education: Bachelor's degree in law (LLB or equivalent) or . Master's degree in Law (LLM). Company Secretary (ICSI) qualification or pre-IPO / listing experience is a strong advantage.
Experience: 15+ years in legal drafting and compliance. Experience in the space sector is a plus.
5+ years leading a legal function or team or as General Counsel.
Business-first judgement: gives clear, risk-weighted answers fast enough to keep engineering and launch schedules moving.
Strong negotiator with government bodies, global customers and investors.
Comfortable in ambiguity, since Indian space law is still being written.
Builder mindset: sets up processes, templates and a team, not only advice.
High integrity and discretion with classified and export-controlled information.
Clear writer and communicator with engineers, the Board and regulators.
About Skyroot Aerospace
Skyroot Aerospace is a cutting-edge startup founded by former ISRO scientists, dedicated to making space access more affordable and accessible. We are pushing the boundaries of aerospace technology with a dynamic team that fosters creativity, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence. Join us on a transformative journey to redefine the possibilities of space exploration, at the forefront of space innovation.

Work arrangement
No