Senior Counsel, Commercial

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies•Palo Alto, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is a joint venture between two industry leaders with a clear vision for automotive’s next chapter. From operating systems to zonal controllers to cloud and connectivity solutions, we’re addressing the challenges of electric vehicles through technology that will set the standards for software-defined vehicles around the world. The road to the future is uncharted. By combining our expertise across connectivity, AI, security and more, we’ll map a new way forward. Working together, we’ll create a future that’s more connected, more intelligent, more sustainable for everyone. RV Tech is looking for a versatile and proactive Senior Counsel, Commercial, to join our growing legal team. Reporting directly to the General Counsel, you will serve as a high-impact generalist on commercial legal matters, expertly owning and managing a high volume of commercial contracting and general contract matters. 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 drafting, negotiating and closing the commercial agreements that move our technology forward. You will serve as the first point of contact for our procurement team, providing hands-on legal support across large and fast-moving purchasing processes for our U.S. entity and its subsidiaries. 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 flex 3 days a week, 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 7+ years of relevant legal experience, preferably gained within a leading law firm and 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.
Experience with, and openness to, using AI tools to work efficiently and effectively in a fast-paced environment.
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.
Experience standing up commercial legal processes, building templates, or scaling a legal function within a startup, joint venture, or high-growth tech environment.
Hands-on experience implementing, configuring, or optimizing Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) systems—specifically Ironclad—to automate legal intake, workflow approvals, and repository management.

Responsibilities

Lead the drafting, review, and negotiation of complex commercial and vendor agreements to protect company interests while accelerating business objectives.
Serve as the first point of contact for our procurement team, providing practical, responsive legal support across large and fast-moving purchasing processes for our U.S. entity and its subsidiaries.
Work closely with engineering and procurement 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.
Oversee external counsel to ensure we receive high-quality, cost-effective legal services.
Design, implement, and maintain a robust suite of standard contract templates
Stand up foundational legal intake, tracking, and approval processes to streamline contract lifecycle management as the organization scales.
Draft clear negotiation playbooks, risk tolerance frameworks, and standard fallback positions to empower business teams and accelerate deal execution.