Legal Counsel

Canadian Solar Inc.; Kitchener; Hybrid; CAD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Canadian Solar is seeking a commercial lawyer to join its legal team at the parent company level. The role focuses on drafting and negotiating a wide range of agreements and providing ongoing legal support to the parent and its global subsidiaries.

The position involves managing cross-border legal risks, including IP, procurement, and project development, with a hybrid work option in the Greater Toronto Area (home office: Kitchener, Ontario).

Qualifications

• 3–8 years of corporate/commercial experience; renewable energy or manufacturing is a plus.
• Solid academic credentials and active license to practice law.
• Strong drafting and negotiation of complex commercial contracts.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of agreements for the company and subsidiaries.
• Advise on contract disputes, claims, and resolutions while preserving business relationships.
• Provide day-to-day legal support to parent company and global operations.
• Manage legal risk related to product liability, IP, tariffs, and cross-border sales.
• Coordinate with regional legal teams and external counsel when needed.

Skills

Contract drafting

Contract negotiation

Cross-border experience

Interpersonal skills

Education

Law degree / bar admission

Licensed to practice law

Job description

At Canadian Solar, our vision is to make lives better by bringing electricity powered by the sun to millions of people worldwide. As a leading manufacturer of solar panels, inverters, and energy storage solutions, we've been an industry front-runner since our founding in 2001. Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in all parts of our organization as we navigate the complexities of a booming industry.

Throughout Canadian Solar's subsidiaries, e-Storage, Recurrent Energy, MSS and CSI Solar Co., we invest in our employees' growth. Our training programs and promotional opportunities ensure we all can continue to learn. We understand the importance of work-life balance and provide various flexible work options to support our employees' well-being. Join our team to "Make the Difference" by creating a lasting positive impact on the world and the communities where we operate.

Position Summary

Canadian Solar is seeking a commercial lawyer to join its legal team at the parent company level. Experience drafting and negotiating agreements is essential; experience in the solar or energy storage industries is a plus. The ideal candidate will have experience in some of the following: finance, M&A, securities law, manufacturing and procurement, IT contracts, renewable energy project development, and related fields. Strong interpersonal and organizational skills are a must. You will be supporting the parent company, as well as its subsidiaries in over 20 countries worldwide in the areas of manufacturing, solar and battery project development, and solar, inverter and battery sales. This is a full-time position, with hybrid work options available, located in the Greater Toronto Area (home office: Kitchener, Ontario).

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of agreements, including any or all of the following: lender facilities, intercompany services contracts, procurement and IT contracts, parent company guarantees and more.
• Advise on contract disputes, claims, and resolutions while preserving business relationships.
• Provide day-to-day legal support to parent company and global subsidiary operations.
• Manage legal risk and mitigation strategies in relation to product liability, IP, logistics, tariffs and duties, and cross-border sales.
• Liaise with regional legal teams and have a willingness to learn the laws of other jurisdictions.
• Coordinate and supervise external counsel when necessary, with a view to balancing legal costs with business goals.
• Assist in the development of legal policies, processes, and resources at the parent company level.
• Ensure that all activities are performed with the highest ethical standards and that transactions comply with Canadian Solar policies and procedures.

Requirements

• 3-8 years of experience, including a minimum of 3 years’ corporate/commercial experience; experience in renewable energy, manufacturing, financing or securities law is a plus.
• Solid academic credentials are required.
• Must be licensed to practice law in your jurisdiction of residence.
• Strong drafting skills and experience negotiating complex commercial contracts as part of a deal team.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work with sales representatives and other highly-motivated individuals.

Compensation & Benefits

Canadian Solar offers a competitive salary plus fully comprehensive benefits and performance bonus package based on an annual objective achievement. Our generous benefits package includes medical, dental, life and disability coverages, personal leave and sick days.

The pay range for this position is [$130,000 - $150,000 CAD] annually (subject to change). This range represents annual base salary only, without regard to location, and does not include bonus or other incentives or benefits that may apply. Canadian Solar is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.

#CanadianSolar