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Focused Energy is an international deep-tech company based in Germany and the US, commercializing laser-driven nuclear fusion to provide clean, safe, and virtually unlimited energy. As Senior Commercial Counsel, you will build the commercial and legal foundations for the company's next growth stage, working closely with Business Development, Procurement, R&D, scientists, and engineers to structure and negotiate complex agreements while managing risk pragmatically.
Key responsibilities include:
- Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements including NDAs, LOIs, MOUs, supplier agreements, framework contracts, general terms and conditions, and strategic partnerships.
- Lead legal support for high-value specialist equipment procurement (laser systems, optical components, precision-engineering assets), addressing R&D and milestone-based payment structures, acceptance testing, IP ownership, and liability frameworks.
- Build and maintain standard-form contract templates and negotiation workflows to improve consistency and reduce contracting cycle times.
- Partner with relevant teams on research collaboration agreements and consortium arrangements.
- Support Business Development on commercial partnership structures, off-take agreements, and early-stage customer arrangements as the commercial pipeline grows.
- Advise on export-control and dual-use obligations, including ITAR, EAR, German AWG, and EU Dual-Use Regulation, as they apply to technology, supply chain, and commercial agreements.
The company offers competitive salary with stock options, 30 days vacation, private pension plan contributions (20% top-up), state-of-the-art equipment, flexible commuting support via NAVIT, wellness access through Wellhub, and regular team events.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Qualified lawyer (Rechtsanwalt/Rechtsanwältin or equivalent) with 5–8+ years' post-qualification experience in commercial and contract law.
- Hands-on experience negotiating complex, high-value commercial agreements in high-CAPEX environments (energy, infrastructure, defence, aerospace, deep tech, or comparable sector).
- Fluency in German and English, with ability to draft and negotiate in both languages.
- Strong understanding of specialist-equipment procurement, including technical specifications, testing and acceptance, IP in bespoke goods, and risk allocation over long delivery timelines.
- Working knowledge of export-control regimes (ITAR, EAR, AWG, EU Dual-Use Regulation) and their contracting implications.
- Pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach; ability to help the business make good deals while managing risk.
- Ability to work effectively with highly technical stakeholders (scientists, engineers) and business teams, translating legal complexity into clear, actionable guidance.
- Comfort with ambiguity and experience creating structure in unstructured environments.
NICE TO HAVE:
- In-house experience at a technology or deep-tech company, ideally combined with law-firm experience.
- Experience supporting science, R&D, or university spin-out organisations on research collaboration and consortium agreements.
- Experience designing and implementing contract-management processes and tools.
- Knowledge of IP licensing, particularly for bespoke equipment or jointly developed technology.
