Description

About Carbon Mapper
Carbon Mapper is a non-profit organization based in Pasadena, CA with the mission to drive greenhouse gas emission reductions by making methane and carbon dioxide data accessible and actionable. We leverage remote sensing technology to detect, pinpoint, and quantify methane and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions at the scale of individual facilities. All of our methane and CO2 data is made publicly available for non-commercial use on our Carbon Mapper Data Portal to provide decisionmakers with the information they need to prioritize and take mitigation action. 

Carbon Mapper also works with stakeholders and decision makers to fill data gaps, lead on cutting edge science, collaborate to drive reductions, and advance education and insights on emissions globally. To do this, we work with partners to leverage a constellation of satellites. Data from these satellites will offer the next major step in scaling up the organization's robust data portal featuring thousands of direct observations of global methane and CO2 super-emitters.

To learn more about Carbon Mapper, please visit us at https://carbonmapper.org. To view our data, please visit us at https://data.carbonmapper.org.

About The Role
Carbon Mapper seeks an accomplished and mission-driven General Counsel to serve as its legal officer and strategic advisor tothe Executive Leadership Team and Board of Directors.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned legal executive with 15+ years of experience across growth-stage companies and complextechnology environments. The General Counsel will lead all aspects of the organization’s legal, compliance, and risk management functions-including corporate governance, intellectual property, technology transactions, litigation, data governance, and regulatory compliance.

This individual will play a pivotal role in ensuring that Carbon Mapper’s data and technology platforms continue to advance responsibly and in alignment with applicable laws, ethical standards, and partner obligations. The General Counsel will also help translate Carbon Mapper’s high-quality methane and CO emissions data into actionable climate solutions by developing data governance and partnership frameworks that enable responsible, impactful data-to-action collaboration.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Legal Strategy & Corporate Governance

• Serve as the principal legal advisor to the Executive Leadership Team and Board of Directors on all corporate, contractual, and regulatory matters.
• Develop, implement, and oversee legal and governance frameworks that promote transparency, accountability, and compliance with nonprofit and government requirements.
• Provide counsel on nonprofit structure, compliance, and subsidiary governance as the organization scales domestically and internationally.

 Technology, Data, and Intellectual Property

• Oversee the protection, management, and licensing of Carbon Mapper’s intellectual property portfolio, including data products, algorithms, software, and trademarks.
• Negotiate complex technology transfer, licensing, and data-sharing agreements with technology partners, universities, and government agencies.
• Guide the organization’s data governance, privacy, cybersecurity, and data ethics frameworks, ensuring compliancewith applicable laws while upholding open-access and transparency principles.
• Structure agreements that enable Carbon Mapper’s data-to-action model, safeguarding intellectual property,confidentiality, and scientific integrity while empowering partners to advance climate mitigation.

 Transactions, Contracts, and Partnerships

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial, research, and partnership agreements, including NDAs,MOUs, vendor contracts, licensing arrangements, and government or grant agreements.
• Bring deep experience with highly technical industry transactions from prior roles-spanning aerospace, defense, or renewable energy sectors.
• Ensure compliance with export controls, intellectual property obligations, and procurement regulations.
• Provide pragmatic, solutions-oriented legal advice that balances innovation and risk management.

Litigation, Compliance, and Risk Management

• Oversee litigation and dispute resolution involving commercial, IP, and employment claims.
• Develop and maintain compliance programs covering conflicts of interest, whistleblower protection,employment law, data privacy, and environmental regulations.
• Oversee risk management policies, insurance coverage, and internal controls to safeguard the organization’s assets and reputation.
• Provide practical, business-oriented legal solutions that align with Carbon Mapper’s mission and strategic objectives.

Leadership & Collaboration     

• Serve as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to the CEO and leadership team in organizational planning and decision-making.
• Provide clear, accessible legal guidance across all divisions.
• Build and manage a high-performing legal function; maintain disciplined oversight of external counsel and legal budgets.
• Educate staff on legal and compliance topics and promote a culture of integrity, accountability, and inclusion across the organization.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

Must-Have Skills & Experience:

• J.D. from an accredited law school; active member of at least one U.S. state bar.
• 15+ years of progressively responsible legal experience
• Demonstrated expertise in corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and commercial transactions.
• Extensive intellectual property experience, including protection, licensing, and portfolio management.
• Proven litigation management experience across commercial, employment, and IP matters.
• Deep understanding of technology, aerospace, renewable energy, or data-driven sectors preferred.
• Excellent communication, business judgment, and leadership skills, with the ability to integrate legal strategy into mission-driven operations.

Nice-to-Have Skills:

• Background in aerospace, remote sensing, geospatial data, or environmental technology.
• Experience with contracting and collaborations involving government agencies.
• Familiarity with open data principles, data privacy frameworks, and technology transfer agreements.
• Demonstrated success leading a legal function through organizational transformation and growth.
• Comfort operating in a lean, fast-paced, collaborative environment.