Legal Counsel

Wartsila; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Hybrid work model

Global team

Job summary

Wärtsilä Energy is seeking a commercially minded Legal Counsel in Houston, Texas, to join the Energy Services Legal & Compliance team. You will advise on a wide range of legal and compliance matters and act as a trusted partner to the business, including developing new business models and decarbonisation services.

Reporting to the Head of Legal, Energy Services, you will work in a global team with a hybrid modality (2 days in the office) and travel as needed, bringing strong negotiation,

Qualifications

• A law degree (J.D. or equivalent).
• Experience as an in-house or private practice lawyer; energy sector experience is a plus.
• Experience with international corporate and commercial transactions, such as contracting models, cross-border projects, and long-term service agreements.
• Fluent English and Spanish.
• Strong negotiation, drafting, and communication skills, combined with commercial acumen and strategic thinking.
• A business and customer mindset, with the ability to see the big picture and focus where you add the most value.
• Interest in digitalisation, legal technology, and AI, and in improving legal processes through technology.
• An innovative, solution-oriented approach and a collaborative team spirit.
• Comfort working in multicultural and virtual teams, and willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Providing commercially oriented and solution based legal support and compliance advice to the business in a variety of business matters.
• Review, negotiate, draft and advise on various types of transactions and commercial contracts.
• Support the business in the development and implementation of business models and concepts.
• Support compliance and governance management in the business.
• Manage claims and disputes.
• Provide training to the business on relevant legal and compliance issues.
• Actively participate in the development and implementation of policies, work processes and templates

Skills

English

Spanish

Negotiation

Drafting

Commercial acumen

Strategic thinking

Team collaboration

Travel readiness

Education

J.D. or equivalent

Job description

Are you a commercially minded lawyer who wants to help shape the future of energy? Join Wärtsilä Energy as a Legal Counsel in our Energy Services Legal & Compliance team in Houston, Texas.

Energy Services provides lifecycle services and solutions to power plant owners around the world. In this role, you will be a trusted legal partner to the business. You will advise on a wide range of legal and compliance matters and help build new business models, including decarbonisation services. You will be part of a global legal team and report to the Head of Legal, Energy Services.

Location:Houston, US

Modality: Hybrid (2 days per week at the office)

Main responsibilities

• Providing commercially oriented and solution based legal support and compliance advice to the business in a variety of business matters.
• Review, negotiate, draft and advise on various types of transactions and commercial contracts.
• Support the business in the development and implementation of business models and concepts.
• Support compliance and governance management in the business.
• Manage claims and disputes.
• Provide training to the business on relevant legal and compliance issues.
• Actively participate in the development and implementation of policies, work processes and templates

What you bring

• A law degree (J.D. or equivalent)
• Experience as an in-house or private practice lawyer; energy sector experience is a plus
• Experience with international corporate and commercial transactions, such as contracting models, cross-border projects, and long-term service agreements
• Fluent English and Spanish
• Strong negotiation, drafting, and communication skills, combined with commercial acumen and strategic thinking
• A business and customer mindset, with the ability to see the big picture and focus where you add the most value
• Interest in digitalisation, legal technology, and AI, and in improving legal processes through technology
• An innovative, solution-oriented approach and a collaborative team spirit
• Comfort working in multicultural and virtual teams, and willingness to travel

Why you and why us?

This role gives you a real opportunity to contribute to the transition toward a 100% renewable energy future. You will join a global organisation with a strong local presence and work alongside skilled, motivated colleagues. We offer meaningful, challenging work, competitive compensation and benefits, and real opportunities to grow personally and professionally.

Last application date: 28/10/2026

Candidates for regular U.S and Puerto Rico positions must be a U.S. citizen, national, or an alien admitted as permanent resident, refugee, asylee with valid work permit or temporary resident under 8 U.S.C. 1160(a) or 1255a(1). Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1, H-1, H1B, H-2, L, B, J, or TN or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire.

Individuals hired for positions that require on-site customer interactions and/or in-person travel may be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or other country-specific vaccinations, unless otherwise prohibited by law.

Wärtsilä North America values our employees. We offer a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. Wärtsilä North America is an EOE/AA employer.

At Wärtsilä we value, respect and embrace all our differences, and are committed to diversity, inclusion and equal employment opportunities; everyone can be their true self and succeed based on their job-relevant merits and abilities.

Effective January 2025, Wartsila companies in the USA have implemented a new hybrid work model. Most employees who live within 40 miles of an office will work 2 days per week in office. This model will provide our employees the flexibility of working from home, while also providing the benefits of in-person collaboration twice a week. We will be happy to provide more information during your interview process.

Please note that according to Wärtsilä policy, voluntary consent for a security check may be required from candidates being considered for this position, depending on the applicable country.

This is Wärtsilä

Wärtsilä is a global leader in innovative technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. Our team of 18,300 professionals, in more than 230 locations in 77 countries, shape the decarbonisation transformation of our industries across the globe. Read more onwww.wartsila.com.