Energy & Infrastructure Counsel
SpaceXAI’s mission is to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge. Our team is small, highly motivated, and focused on engineering excellence. This organization is for individuals who appreciate challenging themselves and thrive on curiosity. We operate with a flat organizational structure. All employees are expected to be hands-on and to contribute directly to the company’s mission. Leadership is given to those who show initiative and consistently deliver excellence. Work ethic and strong prioritization skills are important. All employees are expected to have strong communication skills and the ability to concisely and accurately share knowledge with their teammates.
About the role
As Commercial Counsel at SpaceXAI, you'll provide legal support for some of the world’s largest and most interesting physical infrastructure transactions and development projects. You will tackle complex agreements, bring creative ideas and solutions to key business initiatives, and streamline processes in a ludicrously fast-paced environment. Expect to dive into strategic negotiations, balance legal, business, and engineering priorities, and support SpaceXAI’s mission to advance AI-driven human scientific discovery. This role will have global impact and will be based in Memphis, Tennessee.
Responsibilities
- Lead negotiation and structuring of development deals, real estate transactions, capital equipment purchases, hardware and raw material procurement, and much more.
- Negotiate and manage power-related contracts: interconnection agreements, electricity service agreements, solar project deployments, sustainable storage system transactions, power purchase agreements (PPAs), behind-the-meter generation structures, gas supply/transport, water rights, and ERCOT/regulatory matters critical to hyperscale data center deployments.
- Draft, review, and negotiate construction contracts, engineering services for design-build, and related project documents for facilities involving insane amounts of power, absurd cooling systems, and advanced cabling and fiber setups, all in support of the world’s largest integrated GPU clusters.
- Support financing structures, tax incentives, complex lease arrangements, permitting activities, easement and land use transactions, and project finance elements that enable multi-billion-dollar-scale infrastructure investments.
- Partner closely with engineering, security, procurement, business development, and finance teams to align legal terms with technical and commercial requirements.
- Coordinate effectively with specialized outside counsel on complex matters while maintaining in-house strategic oversight and risk judgment.
- Contribute to broader initiatives as our data center footprint grows.
- Be extremely versatile, highly responsive, and able to roll up your sleeves and pitch in for anything needed, even if it’s unfamiliar or outside your usual responsibilities.
- Sense of humor, humility, and a team-based mentality are a must.
Requirements
- 5+ years of legal experience—ideally through a combination of experience at innovative technology or development companies and/or excellent law firms.
- Deep experience in commercial contracting, with a focus on large-scale infrastructure projects.
- Proven track record of effectively managing a heavy workload and prioritizing to close transactions according to aggressive business timelines.
- Tech-savvy with an understanding of or interest in data centers, power, and emerging AI technologies.
- Strong sense of ownership and accountability, inquisitive and enthusiastic about technology, and able to demonstrate sound judgment in high-stakes and ambiguous situations.
- High energy and drive ("a lot of charge in the battery").
- Creative, solution-oriented problem solver.
- JD from an accredited law school and active bar membership in at least one U.S. state.
- Commitment to being in-office 5 days/week.
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage.
- Access to a 401(k) retirement plan.
- Short- and long-term disability insurance.
- Life insurance.
- Various discounts and perks.
Pay
$200,000 - $230,000 USD base salary, plus equity as part of a total rewards package.
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.