General Counsel, San Francisco, CA (937-SLS)
About The Position
Our client is a high-growth, venture-backed technology company, operating at the intersection of hardware, software, logistics, and e-commerce, and backed by marquee investors including Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, and Google Ventures. With significant recent funding at a multi-billion-dollar valuation and a clear trajectory toward an IPO within the next several years, our client is seeking a seasoned, business-minded General Counsel to join its executive leadership team at a pivotal moment of scale. This attorney will report directly to the CEO. This role offers a rare opportunity to lead legal strategy for a company that operates real-world infrastructure at scale: deploying regulated hardware, building physical facilities, navigating land use and zoning, and delivering mission-critical services to enterprise customers across healthcare, retail, and food. The General Counsel will serve as a trusted partner to the CEO, Board of Directors, and executive leadership team, helping the company grow rapidly while operating safely, compliantly, and efficiently. The legal function is well established, with a strong bench of senior deputies across corporate, commercial, regulatory, product, privacy, and investigations. The General Counsel will build on this foundation, providing leadership, strategic direction, and judgment as the company enters its next phase of growth and prepares for the public markets. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced, execution-driven environment and bring a pragmatic, operator-oriented approach to legal leadership. Success in this role requires strong judgment, resilience, and the ability to influence across a highly technical, ambitious, and demanding executive team while maintaining credibility and trust.
Requirements
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school; active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction required.
- Significant legal experience at a high-growth technology company
- Strong commercial contracting experience, including customer, supplier, and infrastructure agreements.
- One or More of the following: Background in hardware-enabled, operationally complex businesses (e.g., advanced manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, energy, logistics, or similarly regulated industries) Deep experience in corporate governance, venture and late-stage financings, and public-company preparation Familiarity with land use, zoning, permitting, and regulated operations; ability to partner with specialized regulatory teams
- Demonstrated ability to provide practical, business-forward advice without over-lawyering.
- Track record of stability and long-term impact in prior roles.
- Seasoned, confident leader who can operate as a peer to senior executives.
- Pragmatic and commercially savvy, with an operator’s mindset.
- Comfortable in fast-paced, demanding environments where execution matters.
- Able to influence without relying solely on formal authority or excessive process.
- Resilient, steady, and unflappable in high-stakes or crisis situations.
- Collaborative, low-ego, and effective in flat organizational structures.
Nice To Haves
- Prior General Counsel experience preferred, though our client will consider seasoned #2 candidates for the position on a case-by-case basis.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the principal legal advisor to the CEO, executive leadership team, and Board of Directors.
- Lead all global legal matters, including corporate governance, financing, commercial transactions, regulatory compliance, real estate, land use, and operational risk.
- Guide the company through late-stage private company operations, capital raises, potential debt financings, and IPO readiness.
- Oversee complex commercial agreements with enterprise customers, strategic partners, suppliers, and infrastructure counterparties.
- Partner closely with go-to-market, sales, and operations teams to support large, long-term, infrastructure-style customer relationships.
- Advise on regulatory frameworks spanning federal, state, and local authorities, including permitting, zoning, and operational compliance.
- Support real-world operations and safety initiatives, including crisis response and incident management.
- Lead and develop a high-performing legal team, fostering a pragmatic, business-oriented culture.
- Manage outside counsel thoughtfully, balancing internal expertise with disciplined external spend.
- Act as a cross-functional leader who can influence, collaborate, and earn trust in a fast-paced, execution-driven environment.
Benefits
- The role offers a competitive executive compensation package, including a base salary between $350k - $400k, 50% annual performance-based bonus, and meaningful long-term equity participation aligned with the company’s growth and value creation.
- Total compensation is designed to provide significant upside potential as the company scales toward the public markets.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Executive
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
Number of Employees
1-10 employees
