Senior Counsel, Commercial & Employment

Rivian and VW Group Technology•Palo Alto, CA

6d•$186,000 - $232,500•Onsite

About The Position

RV Tech is looking for a versatile and proactive Senior Counsel to join our growing legal team. Reporting directly to the General Counsel, you will serve as a high-impact generalist on legal matters, expertly balancing a high volume of commercial contracting and general contract matters with strategic employment and labor support. In this role, you will tackle a diverse range of legal challenges tied to our rapid development of the next-generation E/E architecture and software-defined vehicle technology. You will be a driver of business growth, responsible for negotiating and closing the commercial agreements that move our technology forward. Simultaneously, you will act as a vital partner to our People/HR and operations teams, providing the day-to-day counsel necessary to maintain a compliant, productive workplace as we scale globally. As the primary point of contact for our international subsidiaries on these matters, you will ensure global alignment and seamless compliance across all regions. This is a unique opportunity for a hands-on legal professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, relishes complex, multi-disciplinary challenges, and is passionate about enabling groundbreaking innovation through robust legal support. The role is based in our Palo Alto, California, office.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school and admitted to practice in at least one US state, preferably California.
A minimum of 5+ years of relevant legal experience, preferably gained within a leading law firm and/or a dynamic in-house legal department.
Ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly and concisely to both legal and non-legal audiences.
Strong negotiation and drafting skills.
A proactive, pragmatic approach to legal counseling with a focus on business enablement and a passion for the future of the automotive industry.
Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment where the road isn't always mapped out.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with the automotive and/or tech industry and their unique legal and regulatory challenges.
Experience working in a joint venture or similar complex organizational structure.

Responsibilities

Lead the drafting, review, and negotiation of complex commercial and vendor agreements to protect company interests while accelerating business objectives.
Provide strategic counsel on a broad spectrum of employment and labor matters, ensuring compliance with both U.S. and local international laws.
Serve as the first point of contact for international subsidiaries (Europe, Canada), providing authoritative guidance to ensure global consistency in policy and practice.
Work closely with engineering and HR teams to integrate legal best practices into their workflows and deliver engaging training programs.
Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate potential legal risks by developing forward-looking strategies that enable business success.
Assist in the continuous refinement of our company labor and employment policies to ensure global compliance in a rapidly changing regulatory landscape.
Oversee external counsel to ensure we receive high-quality, cost-effective legal services.

Benefits

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies provides robust medical/Rx, dental and vision insurance packages for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26.
Full Time Employee coverage is effective on the first day of employment. Part-Time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment.
Total compensation packages for this position include base salary, eligibility for an annual performance bonus, and eligibility for equity.
Benefit offerings include Flex Time Off, retirement savings plans as well as medical, vision and dental coverage.

Stand Out From the Crowd

Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.

Upload and Match Resume