Head of Legal and Compliance

Efficient is developing the world’s most energy-efficient general-purpose computer processor. Efficient’s patented technology uses 100x less energy than state of the art commercially available ultra-low-power processors and is programmable using standard high-level programming languages and AI/ML frameworks. This level of efficiency makes perpetual, pervasive intelligence possible: run AI/ML continuously on a AA battery for 5-10 years. Our platform’s unprecedented level of efficiency enables IoT devices to intelligently capture and curate first-party data to drive the next major computing revolution

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 Do

IP 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.

What We're Looking For

• 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 D