About the Company:

We launch rockets! It’s a pretty cool industry and we are at the heart of it.

Equatorial Launch Australia’s (ELA) mission is and aspires to be the pre-eminent multi-user commercial Space Launch company, providing world-class Launch services supporting testing, launch and recovery of space vehicles and payloads flown to and from all space orbits.

The Executive Chairman and Group CEO leads a seriously professional and highly qualified leadership team who are trusted leaders in the development of the space industry in Australia and globally. Our team’s experience and capability spans across aerospace, commercial enterprise, regulation, asset development, and complex project management along with space strategy and systems engineering.

ELA owns and operates the Arnhem Space Centre (ASC), a multi-user commercial spaceport in East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, Australia at 12° S. ELA were contracted by NASA to launch Australia’s first commercial rockets to space from our site in June and July 2022. We are heading into the next phase of our development and we have some bold plans for the future where we will be conducting around 50 orbital space launches every year.

What type of company is ELA:

We are a world and Australian industry leader in our field, but we are still relatively small and in scale up mode.

We pride ourselves on being relaxed professionals and want the industry and all who deal with us to say, “wow these guys are really good!”.

We don’t care about your background, or personal situation, but we care about you, and it is compulsory for you to be good at what you do and to have fun while you’re doing it.

Two of the things we don’t want are: precious people who say “that’s not my job”, or people who say “that’s my responsibility, get out of it”. We value teamwork, respect and a ‘can do’ attitude couple with a desire for excellence.

The New Role:

ELA is a true scale business on our way to being the world’s premier multi-user Commercial Space Launch company. 

The Launch Regulatory & Compliance Manager is a subject matter expert in navigating the Space Act (Launch) and/or equivalent regulatory legislative frameworks. They are also experienced in law and legal counsel. This role develops, implements, and leads delivery of ELA’s Launch Australian Launch Facility Licence and Launch Permit Application framework as well as supports internal business legal counsel.  

Regulatory and Compliance Manager duties

• Ensure Arnhem Space Centre is working within its relevant legal and statutory obligations relating to Australian Space Act (Space (Launches and Returns)) 

• Support ELA in house legal requirements and activities and coordinate our external legal advisors 

• Oversee ELA’s framework and processes for Australian Launch Applications 

• Coordinate with ASA on delivery of ELA’s Australian Launch Permit applications with current and new rocket companies 

• Manage impact assessment and change control on ASC site confirmation baselines IAW ELA change control procedures and governance 

• Coordinate internal, external and regulatory stakeholders to drive clarity of concerns early and solve fast to keep things moving 

• Identify and implement process improvements 

• Manage multiple concurrent projects to meet critical timeframes 

• Support the Management team to deliver timely investigations and mitigating or corrective actions 

• Manage audits and risk assessments 

What we are looking for:

• 8+ years’ experience delivering in a similar role in engineering regulatory or legal counsel functions 

• Demonstrate strong project management, writing, coordination, and execution of regulatory compliance tasks, with emphasis on technical activities. 

• Demonstrated experience in process and procedure development (and improvement)  

• Desirable to have experience in investigating and navigating state and federal legislation 

• Demonstrated ability to influence a team to achieve positive business outcomes 

• Demonstrated ability to make effective decisions under pressure, balancing competing priorities and demands 

• Ability to develop working knowledge of our clients ground handling, dangerous goods, security, and emergency response policies and procedures 

• You don’t know the phrase “that’s not my job” and are a real “can do“ person. You’re fun and casual but very good at what you do. 

• You will be hardworking and a team player, looking to become part of a vibrant and supportive team. You are comfortable engaging with people both internally and externally and will have a strong technical grounding to support hitting the ground running as well as the opportunity for further growth in your career. 

• Fundamentally, you will have a great attitude, strong aptitude and want to fit in with ELA. 

Next Steps:

To apply, submit your Cover Letter, detailing why you want to work for ELA and how you meet the requirements of this position and your CV outlining your work history.

You must have the right to live and work in Australia to apply for this position.

Equatorial Launch Australia is passionate about creating a culture that values inclusion and diversity, where all our people are treated fairly and respectfully.

Follow us - https://www.linkedin.com/company/equatorial-launch-australia/

Our Website - https://ela.space