Heriot Brown In-House Legal Recruitment
Head of Commercial Legal - AI Semiconductor Unicorn
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About us
A rapidly scaling AI semiconductor company is developing next-generation computing technology designed to meet the growing infrastructure demands of AI. The business combines advanced semiconductor technology, engineering, hardware, and manufacturing, and is now scaling its commercial operations globally.
Please note: This is an office-based role, with the successful candidate required to work from the company's central London office five days a week.
The role
The company is looking for a Head of Commercial Legal to lead and scale its commercial legal function, reporting to the Chief Legal Officer. This is a rare opportunity to build something from the ground up at one of the fastest-scaling technology businesses in the AI space. With ambitious plans and cutting-edge technology, the company is operating at the forefront of next-generation AI infrastructure.
The role offers significant scope to shape the legal function, build the team, and become a key strategic partner to the business as it scales.
The ideal candidate will have strong commercial and hard IP experience, ideally gained within a semiconductor, hardware, engineering, manufacturing, or other highly technical business. You will lead major customer, manufacturing, supply, procurement, technology licensing, and strategic partnership agreements, working closely with engineers, commercial leaders, and senior management.
For an ambitious lawyer, this is an opportunity to join at a pivotal stage, have genuine ownership, and help build the legal infrastructure of a rapidly scaling AI company.
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Please note: This is an office-based role, with the successful candidate required to work from the company's central London office five days a week.
Key responsibilities
- Lead the commercial legal function and personally handle the company's most complex transactions.
- Negotiate manufacturing, supply, procurement, and strategic partnership agreements.
- Advise on hard IP, including ownership, licensing, background and foreground IP, know-how, and technology development.
- Lead IP and commercial aspects of JDAs, NREs, technology licenses, and manufacturing arrangements.
- Advise on semiconductor and hardware supply chain matters, including capacity, volumes, quality, tooling, and supply continuity.
- Support complex customer and enterprise technology agreements.
- Advise on export controls, particularly those relevant to advanced computing and semiconductors.
- Partner closely with Engineering, Procurement, Supply Chain, Sales, and senior leadership.
- Develop playbooks, templates, and scalable AI-enabled legal processes.
- Build and develop the commercial legal team as the business grows.
About you
You will ideally have:
- England & Wales solicitor qualification or admission to a US state bar.
- 8–12+ years' post-qualification experience.
- Training at a leading City, US, or international law firm.
- Significant experience independently leading complex commercial negotiations.
- Strong hard IP experience, particularly IP ownership, licensing, and technology development.
- Experience in semiconductors, hardware, engineering, manufacturing, or deep tech.
- Strong experience with supply agreements, manufacturing arrangements, and hardware procurement.
- Familiarity with export controls, ideally across US and UK regimes.
- Experience working directly with engineers, procurement, manufacturing, and commercial teams.
- Excellent commercial judgment and the ability to operate confidently in a fast-moving environment.
- A hands-on, pragmatic approach and an interest in using AI to build scalable legal processes.
- Experience mentoring or managing junior legal professionals.
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What's in it for you
- A senior legal leadership role within a rapidly scaling AI semiconductor business.
- Exposure to sophisticated IP, manufacturing, supply chain, and technology transactions.
- Meaningful equity participation.
- Competitive compensation and employer-supported retirement benefits.
- Visa sponsorship and relocation support for eligible candidates relocating to London.
- The opportunity to build a commercial legal function and team from the ground up.
Please note: This is an office-based role, with the successful candidate required to work from the company's central London office five days a week.
How to Apply
For a confidential chat, contact Andelize at andelize@heriotbrown.com
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