Commercial Counsel

About xAI

xAI’s mission is to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge.

Our team is small, highly motivated, and focused on engineering excellence. This organization is for individuals who appreciate challenging themselves and thrive on curiosity. Engineers are encouraged to work across multiple areas of the company, and as a result, all engineers and researchers share the title "Member of Technical Staff."

We operate with a flat organizational structure. All employees are expected to be hands-on and to contribute directly to the company’s mission. Leadership is given to those who show initiative and consistently deliver excellence. Work ethic and strong prioritization skills are important.

This is an in-person role based in San Francisco or Palo Alto, CA that requires up to 25% travel.

In this role, you will:

• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial and licensing agreements with customers, vendors, suppliers, and partners, handling all manner of issues that may arise
• Partner closely with technical, product, procurement, and commercial teams 
• Create processes for efficient and scalable contracting
• Ability and desire to be a swiss army knife: pitch in for anything needed in the legal department, even if it’s unfamiliar or not in your lane
• Lead the commercial team and perhaps more, rising to the level of responsibility of which you’re capable!

Basic qualifications: 

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school
• License or qualification to practice law in California
• 6+ years of combined legal experience at an innovative technology company and top law firm 
• In-house experience at a Business to Consumer or Business to Business company

Preferred Skills and Experience: 

• Experience working in a startup environment 
• A proactive approach to law, focusing not just on compliance but on enabling business growth.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with sound judgment in ambiguous environments.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work independently and make decisions in high-pressure situations.
• Proficient in understanding complex legal concepts and translating them into actionable business advice.
• Tech-savvy with an understanding or keen interest in emerging technologies like AI.

Additional Requirements

• Workload varies depending on operational needs; flexibility is required

Annual Salary Range

• $200,000 - $250,000 USD