Director, Commercial Legal (Hardware & Supply Chain) - Silicon Valley, CA (1000-SLS)

Our client, a publicly traded company and pioneer in accelerating generative AI known for its revolutionary ultra-fast AI hardware systems, has exclusively retained Solutus Legal to assist its executives in their desire to add an experienced and sophisticated commercial attorney to lead complex commercial transactions involving its hardware supply chain and related matters.

This role involves independently leading and negotiating highly complex, high-value commercial transactions with significant IP components. The attorney in this role will be responsible for some of the company’s most strategic and technically challenging deals, including those relating to semiconductor supply chain and procurement, hardware IP development, contract manufacturing, and OEM relationships. The attorney will also partner closely with the revenue team to structure hardware revenue deals and related matters. Such transactions are often highly customized and require creative legal structuring, strong business judgment, and the ability to navigate complex technical, IP, privacy, and security considerations without established guardrails.

This attorney will operate independently in a high-growth environment and will be comfortable working collaboratively and proactively within Legal as well as cross-functionally with business leaders and external partners. This position will report to a senior member of the legal leadership team. The company is based in Sunnyvale, CA, and local candidates who can spend time in the office are strongly preferred. Flexibility may be considered for exceptionally qualified candidates.

Key responsibilities include:

• Serving as a lead legal advisor for our client’s most complex commercial transactions, with a particular focus on supply chain and procurement, hardware IP development, contract manufacturing, and OEM relationships.
• Independently managing, drafting, structuring, and negotiating sophisticated commercial agreements.
• Leading highly customized, strategically important transactions that frequently involve counterparty paper, novel commercial structures, and complex intellectual property considerations.
• Advising on the legal and commercial implications of IP ownership and licensing, information security, and other technical issues arising in sophisticated technology transactions.
• Partnering closely with business leaders and cross-functional colleagues to develop creative solutions, navigate complex negotiations, and drive strategic deals to closure.
• Providing practical, business-oriented legal advice in a fast-paced environment where transactions frequently require developing new approaches rather than relying on established templates or processes.
• Distilling and communicating with clarity enterprise risk for C-Suite and cross functional peers.
• Managing outside counsel effectively as appropriate.

Ideal Qualifications:

• Approximately 10–14 years of relevant legal experience, including significant experience in procurement at a semiconductor or other hardware company. Candidates with 14+ years of directly relevant experience may be considered for the Senior Director level.
• Strong law firm training in sophisticated technology transactions, ideally including approximately five years at a major law firm with a well-established technology transactions practice. A combination of significant law firm and in-house experience is strongly preferred.
• Substantial experience negotiating large-scale hardware sales agreements supply chain deals and other complex hardware-related commercial transactions.
• Deep familiarity with intellectual property issues arising in highly technical commercial transactions, including IP licensing and ownership.
• Demonstrated success independently leading complex, strategic transactions involving sophisticated counterparties, significant commercial value, and novel legal and business considerations.
• Understanding of the semiconductor industry, cloud computing, and generative AI.
• Business acumen and critical thinking with the ability to think on one’s feet and interact confidently with senior executives and sophisticated business partners.
• Strong ability to quickly learn other practice areas and desire to work in a lean legal team with significant exposure and scope.
• Can-do attitude and strong work ethic; no task is beneath you and no problem is unsolvable. Ability to operate independently with exceptional attention to detail.
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) and bar admission required (California preferred).

Compensation will be determined based on the candidate’s directly relevant experience and the level at which the individual is hired.

Director: Base compensation is targeted between $243,000 – $297,000. This position is also eligible for a flat cash bonus and generous RSU grant, as well as benefits.

For candidates with 14+ years of directly relevant experience and demonstrated expertise leading highly sophisticated commercial transactions, our client may consider hiring at the Senior Director level with corresponding compensation.

This is a unique opportunity to join a superbly positioned publicly traded company in a high-visibility and impactful role. The company has developed a breakthrough technology that is unlocking new opportunities for the AI industry and is a key player in the AI revolution.

Professionals who have joined our client list five main reasons they joined the company:

• Build a breakthrough AI platform beyond the constraints of the GPU
• Publish and open source their cutting-edge AI research
• Work on one of the fastest AI supercomputers in the world
• Enjoy job stability with fast growth and pubco vitality
• Our client’s simple, non-corporate work culture that respects individual beliefs