Head of Legal

Job Description

RETHINK MANUFACTURING The only way to ignite change is to build the best team. At Bright Machines®, we’re innovators and experts in our craft who have joined together to create a new category of manufacturing that will help transform the industry. We believe software and data are the answer, thoughtfully applied to solve our customers’ unique challenges. Through intelligent automation, we give factories newfound flexibility, scalability, and resilience. We deliver products to meet the demands of today while building a platform to take advantage of what comes next. Working with us means you’ll have the opportunity to make lasting, impactful changes for our company and our customers. If you’re ready to apply your exceptional skills to create the factory of the future, we’d love to speak with you. ABOUT THE ROLE We are looking for an experienced, business-oriented and hands-on Head of Legal to lead all legal and compliance functions at Bright Machines. This is a critical role that spans a broad range of responsibilities, from strategic legal counsel and risk management to contract negotiation, corporate governance, and international compliance. You will be the company’s primary legal resource, working closely with internal stakeholders across functions including HR, Finance, IT & Security, Sales, R&D, and Operations. You’ll also manage relationships with outside counsel as needed, while building strong internal capabilities to handle day-to-day legal matters efficiently and pragmatically.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

• Act as the lead legal advisor to the executive team and Board on all legal, compliance, and risk matters
• Provide practical, solution-oriented counsel to support business decisions and company growth
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts including customer agreements, vendor contracts, and partnership deals
• Oversee corporate governance, subsidiary management, and legal entity maintenance across different legal entities
• Ensure compliance with local and global regulatory and corporate requirements
• Advise on employment law matters and support the HR team with policies, investigations, and compliance
• Oversee ethics, anti-bribery, and other corporate compliance programs
• Partner with IT and Security teams on data privacy, cybersecurity, and IP protection
• Support Finance on equity, and financial compliance matters
• Support fundraising activities, M&A, and investor relations from a legal standpoint
• Collaborate with R&D on IP strategy, licensing, and patent filings
• Provide legal support on facility leasing and operations issues
• Engage and manage outside counsel for specialized needs, ensuring cost-effective and aligned legal support

WHAT WE WANT TO SEE

• JD from an accredited law school; member in good standing of at least one U.S. state bar
• 10+ years of legal experience, including a mix of top-tier law firm and significant in-house counsel experience (ideally at a technology or manufacturing company)
• Strong background in commercial contracts, employment law, compliance, and corporate governance
• International legal experience and familiarity with operating across multiple jurisdictions
• Demonstrated ability to provide practical, business-minded legal advice in a fast-paced, high-growth environment
• Experience supporting venture-backed growth companies.
• Excellent communication, judgment, and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Clear communicator with sound judgment and an ability to work independently.

IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU HAD

• Experience with a Tech/Robotics/AI or manufacturing companies

$230,000 - $280,000 a year BE EMPOWERED TO CHANGE AN INDUSTRY Bright Machines is an industry-leading software and robotics company that provides a full-stack automation solution for manufacturing. Bright Machines’ flexible automated assembly and disassembly specializes in the AI backbone – AI hardware infrastructure. By leveraging computer vision, machine learning, and software applications, Bright Machines reimagines the way products can be designed and manufactured. Bright Machines is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with an integration center in Guadalajara, Mexico. The company has been recognized as one of Forbes’ AI 50, awarded “Best AI-based Solution for Manufacturing” by AI Breakthrough, named a “Technology Pioneer” by the World Economic Forum, and highlighted by several other leading technology and innovation organizations. Apply for this job