> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/1902828-head-of-legal-compliance](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1902828-head-of-legal-compliance). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Head of Legal & Compliance - **Company:** Efficient LLC - **Location:** San Jose, CA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $210,000.0 - $290,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Data Security, Microprocessors, Internet Protocol, Systems Development Life Cycle, Programming Languages - **Published:** July 31, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.careerbuilder.com/job-details/head-of-legal-and-compliance-san-jose-ca--324ac9d5-129d-44e3-a2f9-0d35246e09f8 ## About the Role * JD and active bar membership in good standing. * 5+ years of legal experience spanning commercial, IP, and compliance matters. * Direct experience structuring and negotiating technology licensing agreements, including familiarity with royalty models, field-of-use restrictions, and IP indemnification. * Experience building or leading compliance programs, including export controls (EAR/ITAR). * Strong commercial contracts background with sound judgment on market standards, negotiation priorities, and dealbreakers. * Comfortable operating independently-you can prioritize effectively, make decisions with imperfect information, and know when to engage outside counsel. * Startup mindset: pragmatic, low ego, and focused on helping the business find a path forward rather than simply saying no. * U.S. citizenship is required due to the nature of our technology, customers, and export control requirements. Nice to Have * Experience in the semiconductor industry, either in-house or advising semiconductor or hardware clients. * Compliance experience supporting the defense industry, including DFARS, CMMC, facility clearances, or working with defense primes and government customers. * Experience partnering with technical teams and the ability to understand chip architecture well enough to protect it. * Prior experience as the first or an early legal hire., Administrative Skills, Aerospace and Defense, Analysis Skills, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Artificial Intelligence (AI) Programming Languages, Bar Membership, Budgeting, Compensation and Benefits, Contract Negotiation, Contract Review, Corporate Compliance, Corporate Policies, Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations Supplement (DFARS), Energy Efficiency, Establish Priorities, Government, IP (Internet Protocol), Import/Export Compliance, Information/Data Security (InfoSec), Intellectual Property (IP), Internet of Things, Leadership, Legal, License Agreements, Low Power, Microprocessor, Negotiation Skills, New Drug Application, Outsourcing, Patents, Public/Media/Press/Analyst Relations, Regulatory Requirements, Right-Sizing, Risk, Royalties, Scalable System Development, Semiconductors, Startup, Statement of Work (SOW), Stock Administration, United States Citizen ## Description We're hiring our first in-house lawyer. As Head of Legal & Compliance, you'll own the entire legal function as a one-person operation, working closely with outsourced counsel for specialized matters. You'll be a hands-on generalist, comfortable moving between complex technology agreements in the morning and a vendor contract review in the afternoon. What You'll DoIP Strategy & Protection (Primary Focus) * Structure, draft, and negotiate IP-heavy commercial agreements, including technology licenses, joint development agreements, and complex partnership arrangements. * Manage and grow our patent portfolio in partnership with outside patent counsel, including filing strategy, prosecution oversight, and freedom-to-operate analysis. * Protect trade secrets and confidential information across commercial relationships, partnerships, and employee agreements. * Advise leadership on IP strategy as a core input to business and product decisions. Compliance * Lead and mature the company's compliance program, right-sized for a startup. * Own export control compliance (EAR, and ITAR where applicable) for a company operating in advanced semiconductor technology. * Own and evolve company policies on data protection, anti-corruption, and other applicable regulatory requirements, while driving training across the organization. * Prepare the company for customer and partner compliance diligence, including regulated industries. Commercial Contracts * Review, draft, and negotiate day-to-day business contracts, including MSAs, SOWs, NDAs, customer agreements, vendor and supplier contracts, partnership agreements, and employment-related documents. * Build scalable templates, playbooks, and processes that allow the business to move quickly without creating legal bottlenecks. * Determine which matters should be handled internally versus outsourced, while managing external counsel relationships and budgets. General Corporate * Serve as a trusted advisor to the executive team on legal risk across the business. * Support corporate matters, including financings, board support, and equity administration, in partnership with outside counsel. ## Related Videos - [On developing smartphones on wheels](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/258-on-developing-smartphones-on-wheels) - [Thinking Differently - How to Make Money from Cyber Attacks & Cheats](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/745-thinking-differently-how-to-make-money-from-cyber-attacks-cheats) - [Crypto-secure Data Management with In-Database Blockchain](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/632-crypto-secure-data-management-with-in-database-blockchain) - [My Lawyer Merged My PR: Automating OSS Compliance at Scale](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100181-my-lawyer-merged-my-pr-automating-oss-compliance-at-scale) - [Cyber Security: Small, and Large!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/259-cyber-security-small-and-large) - [Compliance & Risk: Shipping Open Source, AI, and Containers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1983-compliance-risk-shipping-open-source-ai-and-containers) ## Related Articles - [13 AI Tools You Have to Try](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/219-13-ai-tools-you-have-to-try) - [Dev Digest 129 - Now that's what I call private data!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/468-dev-digest-129-now-that-s-what-i-call-private-data) - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [Dev Digest 134 - Where pixels sing?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/477-dev-digest-134-where-pixels-sing) - [Dev Digest 137 - AI'm not sure about this](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/485-dev-digest-137-ai-m-not-sure-about-this) - [Should AI be Regulated? The Arguments For and Against](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/271-should-ai-be-regulated-the-arguments-for-and-against)