About the RoleWe're seeking an Associate General Counsel to lead commercial legal strategy and execution for OpenAI's silicon initiatives and the semiconductor ecosystem that supports our AI infrastructure. This is a senior, highly cross-functional role for a lawyer who can advise business and technical leaders across the semiconductor development, manufacturing, and supply lifecycle.
The role will partner closely with silicon engineering, infrastructure, strategic sourcing, supply chain, manufacturing, finance, partnerships, IP, policy, regulatory, and trade compliance teams to structure and negotiate strategic arrangements with semiconductor ecosystem partners, technology providers, and critical suppliers. This person will help establish the commercial frameworks needed to protect OpenAI's technology and support resilient, scalable commercial arrangements.
We're looking for an experienced technology transactions lawyer with meaningful semiconductor industry experience who can translate highly technical and operational issues into practical commercial structures. The ideal candidate combines strong judgment, commercial creativity, and the ability to lead complex, high-value transactions in a fast-moving and complex global ecosystem.
This role is based in San Francisco, CA. We use a hybrid work model of 3-days in the office per week and offer relocation assistance to new employees.
This role will:- Lead commercial legal strategy and risk management for OpenAI's silicon and related technology initiatives.
- Advise senior business, engineering, sourcing, and operational stakeholders on strategic relationships, commercial priorities, and complex transactions.
- Draft, negotiate, and advise on sophisticated development, manufacturing, supply, licensing, services, and strategic partnership agreements.
- Structure commercial arrangements that support long-term business and operational requirements.
- Advise on the commercial and operational issues that arise across the development, production, delivery, and lifecycle of strategic products and services.
- Partner with intellectual-property counsel and other specialists on ownership, licensing, confidentiality, and technology-related matters.
- Identify and manage material commercial, technical, regulatory, and supply-chain risks across strategic programs.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams and subject-matter specialists to address global compliance, operational, and business issues.
- Lead the resolution of significant commercial, supplier, and execution escalations and support practical, timely decision-making.
- Develop scalable legal playbooks, templates, processes, and governance frameworks that enable the business to move quickly while managing risk.
- Lead cross-functional legal work streams and coordinate effectively with specialist and outside counsel on complex and strategically important matters.
Skills/experience needed- 12+ years of legal experience, including significant senior-level technology transactions and commercial contracting experience.
- Have a JD and license or qualification to practice in CA.
- A mix of in-house and top-tier law firm experience, with demonstrated ability to independently advise senior business, engineering, and operational leaders.
- Background in technology, infrastructure, manufacturing, supply chain, or other technically complex commercial matters.
- Demonstrated ability to structure and negotiate high-value development, supply, licensing, services, and strategic partnership agreements.
- Strong judgment in managing commercial, operational, IP, confidentiality, and regulatory risk.
- Familiarity with global supply chains, cross-border commercial arrangements, and related compliance considerations.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex issues into clear, practical, business-aligned guidance.
- Experience building scalable legal processes, templates, playbooks, and cross-functional workflows.
This role is based in San Francisco, CA. We use a hybrid work model of 3-days in the office per week and offer relocation assistance to new employees.
