Commercial Counsel, Hardware

San Francisco · USD 335,000-385,000 / year · 8+ years experience · Hybrid · Posted Sep 25, 2026

At a glance

Anthropic’s mission is to create reliable, interpretable, and steerable AI systems. We want AI to be safe and beneficial for our users and for society as a whole. Our team is a quickly growing group of committed researchers, engineers, policy experts, and business leaders working together to build beneficial AI systems.

Hardware is becoming critical to how AI gets built, and the legal questions are as new as the technology.
We're hiring a Commercial Counsel, Hardware to help Anthropic's product teams move fast, build safely, and get the legal calls right.
In this role, you'll negotiate a high volume of fast-moving deals for hardware, components, software, and emerging technology procurement needs.

Negotiate and close a high volume of agreements for hardware and components, including review of embedded firmware and companion software licenses
Structure and negotiate complex technology, data, and partnership agreements
Track legal and regulatory changes that affect hardware products and components, such as product safety rules and restrictions on foreign-made components, and explain what they mean for our plans
Identify trade, export control, sanctions, and supply chain concerns in cross-border sourcing, and work with our national security and compliance teams to resolve them
Build and maintain self-serve guidance, templates, and AI-assisted review tools so routine purchases don't wait on Legal
Manage outside counsel for specialist questions and overflow volume
Cover other technology or hardware transactions on the Legal team as needed

JD and active membership in at least one U.S. state bar (California preferred)
Hands-on experience buying hardware and firmware, components, and software in high volume, fast-paced environments
Deep experience leading complex deals, such as technology or data licensing, joint development, or supply partnerships
Working knowledge of international supply chains and how sourcing choices (and their associated risks) show up in contracts (lead times, single-source risk, warranties, country of origin, higher risk jurisdictions)
Working knowledge of trade and regulatory compliance for hardware, including export controls, sanctions, tariffs and customs
Clear, plain communication with scientists, engineers, and operators, so legal risk turns into a decision they can act on
A low-ego, "doer" attitude and real interest in taking on work outside your core practice area
Intense curiosity about AI and emerging hardware, and a commitment to responsible AI development

At least 8 years of legal experience in hardware or a closely related technical space, with the judgment to run risk assessments and deals on your own from day one
In-house time at a hardware-intensive technology company (such as electronics, industrial automation, or complex devices) while it was scaling quickly
Experience supporting product or engineering teams as a dedicated counsel
Experience with facilities or on-site vendor services, including the insurance and safety questions
An engineering, product, or other technical background
Experience using AI tools to speed up your own legal work

Expected to work from the San Francisco office at least 3 days a week / at least 25% of the time, with potential flexibility for an interim period