Senior Counsel, Commercial - Hardware

OpenAI

. Be the go-to counsel and partner for several teams focused on consumer hardware design and procurement.

Posted 4/22/2026full-timeSan Francisco • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $297,000 - $330,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Be the go-to counsel and partner for several teams focused on consumer hardware design and procurement.
Provide practical, business-oriented legal advice to teams including hardware engineering, manufacturing operations, product design, and procurement to support the design, development, and manufacture of consumer hardware devices.
Draft and negotiate complex supply, development, licensing, manufacturing and other commercial agreements.
Identify and address commercial, product, regulatory, privacy, and other legal issues arising from commercial transactions.
Develop strategies and processes for handling legal issues in creative and scalable ways that support growth.
Monitor and advise on regulatory and compliance matters affecting hardware and technology.
Collaborate with colleagues across OpenAI’s global legal team to ensure alignment across jurisdictions.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Have 8+ years of experience across in-house and technology-focused law firm role.
Bring a strong background in drafting and negotiating complex commercial contracts, including hardware supply, manufacturing, procurement, and intellectual property ownership and licensing.
Are comfortable operating in an entrepreneurial environment and are proactive and independent.
Communicate with clarity and business judgment, tailoring advice to enable responsible growth.
Build cross-functional relationships and adapt communication styles to diverse audiences.
Have a strong sense of ownership, intellectual curiosity, and enthusiasm for technology.
Can demonstrate sound judgment in ambiguous or fast-changing situations.
Have a JD and license or qualification to practice in CA.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family, with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts
Pre-tax accounts for Health FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and commuter expenses (parking and transit)
401(k) retirement plan with employer match
Paid parental leave (up to 24 weeks for birth parents and 20 weeks for non-birthing parents), plus paid medical and caregiver leave (up to 8 weeks)
Paid time off: flexible PTO for exempt employees and up to 15 days annually for non-exempt employees
13+ paid company holidays, and multiple paid coordinated company office closures throughout the year for focus and recharge, plus paid sick or safe time (1 hour per 30 hours worked, or more, as required by applicable state or local law)
Mental health and wellness support
Employer-paid basic life and disability coverage
Annual learning and development stipend to fuel your professional growth
Daily meals in our offices, and meal delivery credits as eligible
Relocation support for eligible employees
Additional taxable fringe benefits, such as charitable donation matching and wellness stipends, may also be provided.

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

drafting complex commercial contractsnegotiating supply agreementsnegotiating licensing agreementsnegotiating manufacturing agreementsintellectual property ownershipregulatory complianceprivacy lawcommercial transactionslegal strategy developmentlegal issue identification

Soft Skills

business judgmentproactiveindependentclarity in communicationcross-functional relationship buildingadaptabilityownershipintellectual curiosityenthusiasm for technologysound judgment

Certifications

JDlicense to practice in CA