Space Regulatory Compliance Officer

Overview

Responsibilities

• Review technical mission profiles to ensure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration launch licensing requirements.
• Coordinate with the Federal Communications Commission to secure necessary radio frequency spectrum allocations for satellite communications.
• Draft comprehensive safety and environmental reports to mitigate the impact of aerospace operations on terrestrial and orbital environments.
• Monitor legislative changes in international space law and the Outer Space Treaty to advise on long-term corporate strategy.
• Audit internal engineering processes to ensure adherence to debris mitigation and planetary protection protocols.
• Represent the organization during formal inspections and inquiries conducted by national civil aviation authorities.
• Maintain detailed records of flight telemetry and mission data for mandatory post-launch reporting requirements.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, public policy, or a related field focusing on regulatory frameworks.
• Extensive experience with the Federal Aviation Administration commercial space transportation regulations and licensing procedures.
• Demonstrated proficiency in interpreting the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and Export Administration Regulations.
• Core competency in technical writing and the preparation of complex legal and engineering documentation.
• Strong analytical skills used to assess the safety and environmental risks of experimental aerospace technologies.

Nice to have

• A Juris Doctor degree or an advanced degree in international law with a specialization in space governance.
• Prior experience working within a government regulatory body such as the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation.
• Familiarity with the regulatory environments of multiple jurisdictions for global launch operations.

Work environment

• Work is primarily conducted in professional office settings with frequent visits to launch sites and testing facilities.
• The culture is highly collaborative, requiring daily interaction between legal, engineering, and government relations teams.
• Hours are typically standard but can extend significantly during active launch windows or critical filing periods.
• Digital tools include regulatory tracking software, project management platforms, and technical documentation databases.

Benefits & growth

• Compensation packages typically include base salary, performance bonuses, and stock options in commercial aerospace firms.
• Career progression often leads to executive roles such as Director of Regulatory Affairs or Chief Compliance Officer.
• Professional development is supported through attendance at international space law symposiums and specialized industry certifications.
• The expansion of the commercial space sector provides high job security and increasing demand for specialized legal expertise.