Senior Commercial Counsel (f/m/d)

Focused Energy LLC; Berlin; On-site; EUR 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Focused Energy is seeking a Senior Commercial Counsel to build the commercial and legal foundations for its growth. You will negotiate complex agreements with R&D, suppliers, and collaborators while managing risk pragmatically.

You will lead procurement support for high‑value, specialist equipment and collaborate with engineers to structure agreements that scale with the business, including ITAR/EU dual-use considerations.

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer with 5–8+ years in commercial and contract law.
• Experience drafting and negotiating high value commercial agreements.
• Fluency in German and English; able to draft in both languages.
• Experience with specialist‑equipment procurement and IP ownership risk.
• Knowledge of ITAR, EAR, AWG, EU Dual-Use regs in contracting.
• Pragmatic, solutions‑oriented; able to structure with technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate NDAs, LOIs, MOUs, supplier and framework contracts.
• Lead legal support for procurement of laser systems and precision equipment.
• Address R&D milestones, payment structures, testing and acceptance.
• Create standard contract templates and streamlined negotiation workflows.
• Collaborate on research collaboration agreements and consortium setups.
• Support commercial partnerships, off-take and early-stage customer arrangements.
• Advise on export-control obligations (ITAR, EAR, AWG, EU Dual-Use).

Skills

German language

English language

Negotiation

Contract law

Commercial agreements

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Law degree (bar admission equivalent)

Tools

Contract management tools

Job description

Focused Energy is an international deep-tech company based in Germany and the US, working to commercialize laser-driven nuclear fusion. Our mission is to provide clean, safe, and virtually unlimited energy to the world. We are rapidly scaling and looking for talented individuals who thrive in building clarity and structure within fast-growing environments.

Your Role

As Senior Commercial Counsel (f/m/d), you’ll help Focused Energy build the commercial and legal foundations for its next stage of growth. You’ll work closely with Business Development, Procurement, R&D, scientists, and engineers to structure and negotiate complex agreements — enabling ambitious technical and commercial work while managing risk pragmatically.

What You’ll Do

• Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements, including NDAs, LOIs and MOUs, supplier agreements, framework contracts, general terms and conditions, and strategic partnerships.
• Lead legal support for high-value, specialist equipment procurement, including laser systems, optical components, and precision-engineering assets.
• Address R&D and milestone-based payment structures, acceptance testing, IP ownership, and liability frameworks.
• Build and maintain standard-form contract templates and negotiation workflows that 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 Focused Energy’s commercial pipeline grows.
• Advise on export-control and dual-use obligations, including ITAR, EAR, the German AWG, and the EU Dual-Use Regulation, as they apply to the company’s technology, supply chain, and commercial agreements.

Who You Are

• A 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 a high‑CAPEX environment, such as energy, infrastructure, defence, aerospace, deep tech, or a comparable sector.
• Fluency in German and English, with the ability to draft and negotiate in both languages.
• A 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, and the EU Dual‑Use Regulation) and their implications for contracting.
• A pragmatic, solutions‑oriented approach: you help the business make good deals rather than simply blocking them.
• The ability to work effectively with highly technical stakeholders — including scientists and engineers — as well as business teams, translating legal complexity into clear, actionable guidance.
• Comfort with ambiguity and experience creating structure where little or none exists.

Nice to Have

• In‑house experience at a technology or deep‑tech company, ideally combined with law‑firm experience.
• Experience supporting a science, R&D, or university spin‑out organisation 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.

What We Offer

• Innovative Technology & Mission: Be part of a cutting‑edge company working on groundbreaking research in clean energy and scientific discovery.
• Career Development: We invest in our people. This is an opportunity to join an early, growing company at the forefront of new technology, where you’ll have the opportunity to develop and grow your career.
• Collaborative Culture: Work with great people in a dynamic, international environment with top‑tier scientists, engineers and professionals passionate about solving global challenges.
• Ownership: Take ownership from day 1 and drive impact by making decisions, solving challenges and shaping the future of our company.
• Your Success is our Success: We offer a competitive salary and company ownership in the form of stock options, giving you a direct stake in our success and ownership in what we build together.
• Vacation Days: We support your work‑life‑balance by granting you 30 days of vacation per year.
• Snacks and Drinks: Our office fridges are never empty. Enjoy our healthy snacks and drinks. Our Darmstadt office even offers a canteen with delicious lunch options daily.
• Retirement Plan: If you decide for a private pension plan, we will finance 20% on top of your monthly contributions, plus loyalty incentives.
• Equipment: We offer state‑of‑the‑art Windows or Apple Laptops. In addition, you will receive a keyboard, mouse and headset so you are fully equipped from day 1.
• Events: We organize regular events to foster team bonding, encourage collaboration, and build a strong, supportive company culture. Connect with colleagues across departments, share ideas, and have fun together, both in and outside of the workplace.
• Mobility with NAVIT: We partner with NAVIT to support your flexible commuting needs—whether it’s a public transportation ticket, taxi rides or car‑sharing you choose what fits your lifestyle.
• Fitness with Wellhub: We care about your health. Get access to a wide range of gyms, fitness studios and wellness services across Europe through our partnership with Wellhub.

Focused Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Focused Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. Certain roles may be eligible for incentive compensation, equity, benefits.