Head of Legal

The role

The Head of Legal will lead all legal operations for Etched as they develop next-generation AI hardware. You will own commercial agreements, structure legal processes, and serve as a strategic partner to the executive team.

What you will do

• Advise on commercial agreements, corporate governance, intellectual property, and employment law
• Design and negotiate complex commercial contracts including supplier agreements, customer deals, and IP licensing
• Work with finance, sales, and operations teams to structure deals and relationships
• Build efficient legal processes and systems
• Support employment matters including visa sponsorship, compensation, and compliance
• Lead equity compensation programs and support corporate governance
• Collaborate with external counsel on specialized technical matters
• Structure compliance frameworks across the organization
• Provide strategic counsel to executive team on risk management and legal strategy

Required qualifications

• 5-10 years of legal experience, combining big law and in-house technology experience
• Deep expertise in commercial negotiations and contract drafting
• Track record of independently managing complex legal operations
• Strong business judgment and ability to make independent decisions
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Strong business acumen
• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school
• Admission to practice law in the relevant jurisdiction

Nice to have

• California bar preferred
• Detailed understanding of key contractual concepts and risk areas in AI hardware
• Working directly with engineering teams on technical contracts
• Deep understanding of AI, hardware, and/or semiconductors
• Deep understanding of the AI research field and broader market

Benefits

• Full medical, dental, and vision packages, with 100% of premium covered, 90% for dependents
• Housing subsidy of $2,000/month for those living within walking distance of the office
• Daily lunch and dinner in our office
• Relocation support for those moving to Cupertino

About the company

Etched is building AI chips that are hard-coded for individual model architectures. They are a fully in-person team in Cupertino.