SUMMARY 

The Summer Law Clerk will support Karman’s General Counsel and Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer. The clerk will work directly with Karman’s Senior Government Contracts and Compliance Counsel on matters involving ITAR, EAR, anti-corruption, and ethics compliance in a highly regulated national security environment.

ABOUT US 

Karman Space & Defense provides concept-to-production solutions for mission-critical systems on spacecraft, launch vehicles, missiles, hypersonics, and integrated defense systems. We believe that solving the industry’s most complex and mission-critical challenges requires relentless determination and a willingness to push the boundaries of possibility. Karman Space & Defense brings to bear unparalleled production capabilities, unmatched engineering expertise, and unflinching analysis to render the impossible, possible. 

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS 

• Medical, Dental, Vision 
• Company Paid Life Insurance 
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan 
• Paid Time Off (PTO) • Paid Holidays 
• Tuition Reimbursement*

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Conduct legal research and provide analysis on export controls, including ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) and EAR (Export Administration Regulations).
• Support classification of items and technical data under the ITAR and EAR
• Assist with the preparation of export license applications and applications for technical assistance agreements
• Support compliance with U.S. government contracting requirements, including FAR/DFARS.
• Assist in the administration of the company’s ethics and compliance program, including Code of Conduct initiatives.
• Participate in third-party due diligence reviews with a focus on anti-corruption (FCPA) and sanctions risks.
• Assist with internal investigations involving potential compliance violations, including export control and procurement issues.
• Draft legal memoranda, compliance summaries, and internal guidance documents.
• Support preparation of compliance training materials for employees, including export control and anti-corruption training.
• Assist with compliance risk assessments, internal audits, and monitoring activities.
• Support preparation of disclosures and documentation relevant to public company reporting obligations, as needed.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

• Current 2L or 3L at an accredited U.S. law school. 
• Strong academic credentials. 
• Demonstrated interest in national security law, government contracts, or corporate compliance. 
• Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills. 
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage confidential and sensitive information. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Coursework or experience in export controls (ITAR/EAR), government contracts, or anti-corruption laws (FCPA). 
• Prior internship experience with a defense contractor, government agency, or in-house legal department. 
• Familiarity with compliance frameworks applicable to publicly traded companies. 
• Interest in long-term career in defense, aerospace, or national security sector.

DURATION

This is a full-time summer position (8–12 weeks) with the opportunity to continue on a part-time basis during the clerk’s academic school year. Compensation is competitive and aligned with market rates for law clerks in the defense and aerospace industry.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
• As a federal contractor, Karman Space & Defense is committed to compliance with all federal employment eligibility requirements. We participate in E-Verify, a web-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. As an E-Verify employer, federal compliance mandates that we require documentation to verify your identity and employment authorization upon hire.

 WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• This position operates in a professional office environment and occasionally on the shop floor.

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. 

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• No travel is required for this position.

Equal Opportunity 

Karman is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to race; color; religion; genetic information; national origin; sex; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; age; disability; citizenship status; uniform servicemember status; or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law. 

Our management is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy with respect to hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, recruitment advertising, pay, and other forms of compensation, training, and general treatment during employment.