Sr. Regulatory Counsel, Data Center Power & Utilities

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

SR. REGULATORY COUNSEL, DATA CENTER POWER & UTILITIES

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide expert legal guidance on regulatory matters for power and utility service at SpaceXSI datacenter and compute sites, including authorization to take and use large amounts of power, interconnection, tariffs, and related utility approvals
• Lead engagement with federal, state, and local regulators, public utility commissions, grid operators, and utilities to obtain the approvals required to power datacenter operations
• Advise on large-load interconnections, retail and wholesale power arrangements, utility service applications, and special contracts or tariffs for high-demand sites
• Assess regulatory pathways, timelines, and risk for new sites and expansions, including siting, generation, transmission, and behind-the-meter options
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to brief regulators and utility counterparties and to align legal strategy with site development, engineering, and operations
• Draft and negotiate utility and power agreements that implement approved service, including interconnection, service, and related operational terms
• Support permitting and compliance for energy infrastructure tied to datacenter load, and coordinate with environmental, real estate, and construction counsel where those issues affect power authorization
• Track regulatory developments that affect datacenter power use and standardize playbooks so teams can move new sites through approval faster and with less risk

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• JD or foreign equivalent from an ABA-accredited law school
• 8+ years of legal experience focused on utilities, energy, or power, including work with government agencies, regulatory bodies, or utilities

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Direct experience obtaining authorization for significant power usage, ideally for datacenters, large industrial loads, or other high-demand facilities
• Knowledge of state utility commission practice, federal energy regulation, interconnection processes, and utility tariffs
• 8+ years of relevant regulatory experience, ideally a mix of:
  • Top-tier law firm training in energy, utility, or infrastructure regulation
  • In-house experience at a utility, datacenter or technology company, energy developer, or industrial operator
• Demonstrated experience advising on regulatory strategy and drafting filings, applications, and utility agreements with limited outside-counsel reliance
• Ability to drive approvals end to end on accelerated timelines
• Prior exposure to large-scale power infrastructure, mission-critical facilities, or complex generation and interconnection projects
• Comfort working where the regulatory pathway for new load is evolving or unsettled
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment with minimal turnaround time

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be admitted to the bar, in good standing, in at least one U.S. state
• Must be available to work extended hours and weekends as needed
• Willingness to travel 4 to 6 times a year to different SpaceX offices for a week at a time
• This position requires being onsite at a designated SpaceX office; remote work will not be considered

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.  

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.