Orbital is an AI-first industrial company building hardware from the atoms up. Our goal is to lead an industrial renaissance to advance critical technologies and secure our planet for generations to come.

We’re starting with critical hardware for AI data centers to make them more performant and sustainable. Every Orbital product is invented with our AI platform — uniting AI-automated hardware engineering with AI-designed material science to achieve breakthrough real-world performance.

We have an ambitious mission and need excellent people in all our teams - AI research, operations, advanced materials, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering and manufacturing.

Working at Orbital means working in tightly integrated, vertically integrated teams. We’re looking for people who have a love of physical technology, curiosity in AI and a desire to learn.

Role Overview

In this role, you’ll lead Orbital’s legal function and be responsible for setting Company’s legal strategy and managing Orbital’s legal risks to support and accelerate Orbital’s growth globally, working closely with the executive team. You’ll provide a broad range of legal support including on issues related to commercial law, corporate finance, employment law, IP, technology and commercial vendor and supply contracts.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Counsel

• Advise company management on complex matters across contractual, regulatory, compliance, financial, and legal areas, delivering concise, clear guidance on risk and the practical path forward.

Contract Management

• Structure, review, and negotiate the full range of commercial agreements that support Orbital’s operations — master service agreements , sales orders, change orders, commercial lease documents, vendor and supply contracts, and more. Delivery is central to this role: turning matters around cleanly and on time is part of the job..

• Support corporate governance and foundational legal matters, including employment law and market finance, and develop contract procedures and templates that improve how the business operates.

Employment and HR matters

• Advising on hiring, termination, workplace policies and employment related issues.

Corporate Governance

• Advising the execs on legal matters, preparing board materials, supporting due diligence, maintaining corporate records, advising on fiduciary duties, and helping with matters like entity management and corporate structuring.

IP Strategy & Regulatory Compliance

• Develop and execute our IP strategy, directing external counsel where appropriate while retaining ownership of the strategy.

Legal Infrastructure

• Build the legal infrastructure. Review all existing contracts and arrangements. Design and implement robust, scalable contract procedures, templates and workflows that let Orbital move faster as it grows.

What We’re Looking For

• UK or US qualified. US commercial experience is a strong plus; a bar admission isn't required.

• Leading law firm background preferred. Exceptional in-house candidates from top-tier technology companies will also be considered.

• Proven track record structuring, negotiating, and closing complex technology and commercial transactions.

• Technology sector experience preferred including but not limited to Hardware, data centers, AI or mission critical industries. A science background or IP experience is useful but not essential.

• The judgment and confidence to own decisions and work independently - comfortable setting direction, not waiting for it.

• Clear, direct communication. You can make complex legal concepts land with engineers, executives, and commercial teams alike.

Why Join Orbital?

• Competitive salary and equity package - the ability to own part of Orbital as we grow

• Flexible and generous paid time off

• Excellent health, dental and vision insurance plan

• Regular company offsites to the USA and beyond

• The experience of working in a cutting-edge organisation dedicated to a better future

Orbital is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.