In-House Counsel

SEMI • $180K — $390K *
San Jose, CA 95123In-Person
Legal & Accounting
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
Be an Early Applicant
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • J.D. from an accredited law school; licensed in California preferred.
  • 5-8+ years of commercial transactions experience; adept at identifying and negotiating contract issues.
  • Prior in-house experience at a startup or high-growth tech firms is essential.
  • Ability to work independently and implement legal systems without bureaucratic delays.
  • Experience in hardware, semiconductors, AI infrastructure, or enterprise SaaS is a plus.

Responsibilities

  • Own the full contract lifecycle, including customer agreements and partnership deals, with a focus on speed and outcomes.
  • Serve as a real-time legal advisor to facilitate sales and business development negotiations.
  • Create scalable legal processes and templates to streamline routine legal matters.
  • Provide advice on IP and compliance matters specific to semiconductor and AI platforms.
  • Support corporate governance, equity, and employment issues as the company expands.
  • Assist with fundraising activities, including term sheets and investment agreements.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify legal risks early and structure beneficial deals.

Benefits

  • Unlimited PTO and comprehensive medical, vision, dental benefits.
  • 401k retirement plan available to employees.
  • Access to two engineered-focused offices with amenities including free parking and gym.
  • Enjoy complimentary lunches, snacks, and drinks throughout the workday.
Full Job Description


Role Overview

As our first In-House Counsel, you will serve as the primary legal partner to the business, owning commercial contracts end-to-end, supporting our Sales and Business Development teams, and building the legal infrastructure to scale with the company. You will work directly with founders and functional leaders to structure and close deals, manage risk, and ensure the organization can operate efficiently. Success in this role is defined by sound legal judgment, operational rigor, and the ability to move with the pace of the business.

Key Responsibilities
  • Commercial Contracts: Own the full contract lifecycle-customer agreements, vendor/supplier contracts, NDAs, partnership deals, licensing agreements, and SaaS terms. Turn redlines fast and negotiate with business outcomes in mind.
  • Sales & BD Enablement: Unblock deal negotiations, and serve as a real-time legal resource for the sales team.
  • Legal Infrastructure: Build scalable templates, processes, and approval workflows that let the business self-serve on routine matters, reducing legal as a bottleneck.
  • IP & Compliance: Advise on intellectual property and compliance matters relevant to our semiconductor and AI platform business.
  • Corporate & Employment: Support equity, employment, and corporate governance matters as the company grows. Manage outside counsel relationships strategically and cost-effectively.
  • Fundraising & Investment: Support financing rounds and investment agreements, including term sheets, SAFEs, and related transaction documents.
  • Cross-Functional Partnership: Collaborate with product, engineering, and finance to identify legal exposure early and structure deals that work for all sides.


Qualifications
  • Education: J.D. from an accredited law school; licensed and in good standing (California bar preferred or willingness to waive in).
  • Commercial Contracts Expertise: 5-8+ years of experience with a strong focus on commercial transactions; you can spot a problematic indemnification clause in your sleep and know which battles are worth fighting.
  • Startup Experience: Meaningful time in-house at a startup or in a practice serving high-growth technology companies.
  • Independent Operator: Comfortable as a solo practitioner who makes calls, builds systems, and doesn't wait for committees.
  • Bonus Points: Experience with hardware, semiconductors, AI infrastructure, or enterprise SaaS.

What We Offer
  • $180K/yr - $390K/yr base salary + equity. Open to above-scale compensation for exceptional candidates.
  • Unlimited PTO and full benefits (medical, vision, dental, 401k).
  • Two engineering-centric offices with free parking, private gym, and free lunch, drinks and snacks.

About SEMI

SEMI is a global industry association that represents companies involved in the manufacturing and supply chain of the electronics industry. The association was founded in 1970 and is headquartered in Milpitas, California. SEMI provides its members with networking opportunities, industry research, and advocacy on issues affecting the industry. The association also hosts industry events and conferences, including SEMICON West and SEMICON China. SEMI has offices and operations in North America, Europe, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, and Southeast Asia.
Learn more about SEMI
Size
200 employees
Industry
Manufacturing & Automotive
* Ladders Estimates

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