Senior Commercial Counsel, Archer
Business Development
$230-250k
Plus bonus and equity
More information about location
Office located in San Jose, CA
Electric air taxis
Open for applications
Electric air taxis
1001+ employees
Open for applications
$230-250k
Plus bonus and equity
More information about location
Office located in San Jose, CA
1001+ employees
Company mission
To unlock the skies, freeing everyone to reimagine how they move and spend time.
Role
Who you are
- 6–10 years of experience as a practicing attorney in a law firm or in-house legal department (with at least 3 of those years with an in-house legal team)
- Proven track record of owning strategic commercial deal negotiation from initial draft to signature, and supporting post-signature deal execution, in close collaboration with sales, business development, and product teams
- Specific experience with US and international public-sector, defense contracting, and government procurement (including FAR/DFARS)
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex legal concepts for business stakeholders
- A proactive attitude and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-growth environment
- Intellectual curiosity, practical business judgment, and strong problem-solving skills
- J.D. degree from an accredited law school and active membership in at least one state bar
Desirable
- Prior experience with aviation and the aerospace industry, particularly with emerging technologies development, aircraft operations, and/or private piloting
- Experience advising on the development, sale, and use of Artificial Intelligence products and services and related compliance advice
- Familiarity with using, implementing, and administering contract management systems (e.g., Ironclad) and e-billing tools
What the job involves
- As Senior Commercial Counsel, Business Development, you will be a strategic partner to Archer’s global go-to-market teams including sales, marketing, and strategic partnerships
- You will serve as the lead negotiator for our most complex commercial transactions, including aircraft sales agreements, high-value government contracts, market entry partnerships, and enterprise SaaS agreements
- You will be responsible for accelerating "deal velocity" and revenue recognition while ensuring the company’s commercial interests and intellectual property are protected during rapid global expansion
- Lead the legal structuring, drafting, and negotiation of complex commercial agreements, including aircraft sales, operations and services agreements, enterprise SaaS subscriptions, and strategic partnership deals
- Act as the primary legal point of contact for US and foreign government and defense contracting, including ensuring compliance with FAR/DFARS requirements and managing the unique complexities of public sector procurement
- Partner with business development leadership to develop and refine global "playbooks," standardizing contract templates and negotiation positions
- Support the launch of new products and services by developing the commercial legal frameworks required for market entry, ensuring seamless transitions from product development to revenue generation
- Collaborate closely with Finance and Deals Desk to ensure revenue recognition compliance and optimize the "Quote-to-Cash" process
- Identify and mitigate commercial risks in international expansion, including export controls (ITAR/EAR) and cross-border trade compliance
- Coordinate cross-functionally in a proactive manner to ensure legal support is fully integrated with the business and provided in an efficient and timely manner
Our take
With traffic, noise, and emissions becoming major challenges for urban life, Archer is building electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, led by its flagship model, Midnight, offering a cleaner, quieter alternative to traditional short-haul travel. The idea is simple: replace long car rides with quick, sustainable flights that lift off vertically, fly over the gridlock, and help reduce urban pollution. It's a bold shift in transportation, but one that could meaningfully change how we navigate cities in the years ahead.
Midnight is designed to make these short flights practical, safe, and efficient. Its electric powertrain significantly reduces noise and emissions compared to helicopters (one of the biggest barriers to adopting urban air mobility at scale). However, eVTOLs face hurdles before becoming an everyday reality, including regulatory approvals, infrastructure build-out, and the operational testing needed to prove long-term safety and reliability. Archer is addressing these challenges with major manufacturing investment, deep engineering partnerships, and ongoing flight testing in the US and abroad.
Even with these barriers, Archer has been moving from success to success. The company is set to be the official air taxi provider for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. And its recent acquisition of Hawthorne Airport in LA will serve as both a launch site and an innovation hub for next-generation, AI-powered aviation operations. On the commercial side, Archer's partnerships with United Airlines and its growing international presence signal strong industry confidence. Combined with newly expanded funding and successful long-range flight tests, Archer sure is a promising player in eVTOl aviation.
Freddie
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
44% employee growth in 12 months
Company
Funding (1 round)
Jul 2020
$55.7m
SERIES A
Total funding: $55.7m
Company HQ
Tasman and Zanker, San Jose, CA
Leadership
Adam Goldstein
(Founder & CEO)Began their career in Financial Services, before co-founding Vettery, a talent marketplace, in 2012. Founded Archer in 2018.
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