Senior Counsel, Commercial & Employment

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is a joint venture between two industry leaders with a clear vision for automotive’s next chapter. From operating systems to zonal controllers to cloud and connectivity solutions, we’re addressing the challenges of electric vehicles through technology that will set the standards for software-defined vehicles around the world.  

The road to the future is uncharted. By combining our expertise across connectivity, AI, security and more, we’ll map a new way forward. Working together, we’ll create a future that’s more connected, more intelligent, more sustainable for everyone.

RV Tech is looking for a versatile and proactive Senior Counsel to join our growing legal team. Reporting directly to the General Counsel, you will serve as a high-impact generalist on legal matters, expertly balancing a high volume of commercial contracting and general contract matters with strategic employment and labor support. 

In this role, you will tackle a diverse range of legal challenges tied to our rapid development of the next-generation E/E architecture and software-defined vehicle technology. You will be a driver of business growth, responsible for negotiating and closing the commercial agreements that move our technology forward. Simultaneously, you will act as a vital partner to our People/HR and operations teams, providing the day-to-day counsel necessary to maintain a compliant, productive workplace as we scale globally. As the primary point of contact for our international subsidiaries on these matters, you will ensure global alignment and seamless compliance across all regions. 

This is a unique opportunity for a hands-on legal professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, relishes complex, multi-disciplinary challenges, and is passionate about enabling groundbreaking innovation through robust legal support. 

The role is based in our Palo Alto, California, office.

• Lead the drafting, review, and negotiation of complex commercial and vendor agreements to protect company interests while accelerating business objectives.
• Provide strategic counsel on a broad spectrum of employment and labor matters, ensuring compliance with both U.S. and local international laws.
• Serve as the first point of contact for international subsidiaries (Europe, Canada), providing authoritative guidance to ensure global consistency in policy and practice.
• Work closely with engineering and HR teams to integrate legal best practices into their workflows and deliver engaging training programs.
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate potential legal risks by developing forward-looking strategies that enable business success.
• Assist in the continuous refinement of our company labor and employment policies to ensure global compliance in a rapidly changing regulatory landscape.
• Oversee external counsel to ensure we receive high-quality, cost-effective legal services.

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school and admitted to practice in at least one US state, preferably California.
• A minimum of 5+ years of relevant legal experience, preferably gained within a leading law firm and/or a dynamic in-house legal department.
• Ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly and concisely to both legal and non-legal audiences.
• Strong negotiation and drafting skills.
• A proactive, pragmatic approach to legal counseling with a focus on business enablement and a passion for the future of the automotive industry.
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment where the road isn't always mapped out.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with the automotive and/or tech industry and their unique legal and regulatory challenges.
• Experience working in a joint venture or similar complex organizational structure.

Salary Range/Hourly Rate for Palo Alto, California Based Applicants: $186,000 - $232,500 (actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law).

Benefits Summary: Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies provides robust medical/Rx, dental and vision insurance packages for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26. Full Time Employee coverage is effective on the first day of employment. Part-Time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment.

Total Rewards 

Total compensation packages for this position include base salary, eligibility for an annual performance bonus, and eligibility for equity.  

In addition, our benefits package has been designed to support the health and wellness of our employees. Benefit offerings include Flex Time Off, retirement savings plans as well as medical, vision and dental coverage. For more information on RV Tech’s comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, check out our Global Benefits Site.

External candidates can apply for this role through the RV Tech Careers site (https://rivianvw.tech/#careers). If you are a current employee, please apply through our internal job board (https://internal-careers-rivian.icims.com/).

Equal Opportunity

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are also committed to ensuring compliance with all applicable fair employment practice laws regarding citizenship and immigration status.

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at [email protected].

Candidate Data Privacy

Rivian and VW Group Technologies (“Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies”) may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes (“Candidate Personal Data”). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law. 

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies affiliates; and (iii) Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies’ service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services. 

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions. 

Please see our Candidate Data Privacy Notice (English)  and Candidate Data Privacy Notice (Serbian) for more information.

Please note this job posting represents an open, active vacancy. Additionally, we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.