Senior Corporate Counsel

AESC Group; California, Santa Clara (MO, CA); Hybrid; USD 174,000 - 243,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as a Senior Corporate Counsel specializing in TRADE Compliance. This role offers the chance to provide essential legal guidance on trade laws, collaborate with diverse teams, and lead compliance initiatives in a dynamic environment. With a focus on sustainable energy solutions, you'll be part of a mission-driven team that values innovation and community engagement. Enjoy a hybrid work model and a comprehensive benefits package while making a significant impact in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle industry.

Benefits

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

401K with company match

Paid Vacation and 14 Paid Holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Short and long-term disability coverage

Qualifications

• 4-6 years of experience in legal practice within trade compliance.
• Admitted to the bar in relevant jurisdictions.
• Experience with trade laws and compliance programs.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on trade laws and compliance.
• Conduct compliance risk assessments and audits.
• Lead interactions with TRADE/ABAC regulators.

Skills

Anti-bribery compliance

Export/import trade compliance

Legal advisory

Regulatory compliance

Risk assessment

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent

Job description

Description & Requirements

Job Description

AESC is looking to add a Senior Corporate Counsel- TRADE Compliance to join our team in Santa Clara, CA, Murfreesboro, TN, Sunderland/London UK, Shanghai China, or Japan.

• Full-Time
• Hybrid: 2-3 days a week in office

About AESC US LLC

AESC is a global leader in the development and manufacturing of high-performance batteries for zero-emission electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Founded in Japan in 2007 and headquartered in Yokohama, AESC has been building manufacturing capabilities around the world in the U.S., U.K., Europe, Japan and China to serve key markets and leading customers locally for over 14 years. Today, AESC has become the partner of choice for the world's leading OEMs and energy storage providers in North America, Europe, and Asia. Its advanced technology powers over one million electric vehicles and provides more than 15GWh of installed capacity for battery energy systems in over 60 countries.

AESC is expanding its footprint in the United States with gigafactories in Kentucky, South Carolina, and Tennessee to meet the growing demand for EV and BESS batteries and strengthen its presence in the North American market. AESC's Tennessee gigafactory in Smyrna, which has been operational and supplying electric vehicle batteries for the Nissan LEAF since 2012, was retooled in 2025 and now produces batteries for Energy Storage Systems. The South Carolina gigafactory in Florence will supply next generation cells for BMW starting in 2026. The Kentucky gigafactory in Bowling Green will supply high-performance batteries and components for other OEMs.AESC is committed to our local communities where it is making investments, creating jobs, and supporting local charities.

About the Role

AESC is looking for an experienced counsel reporting to the Chief Compliance Officer and leading TRADE/ABAC teams.

What You Will Do

• Provide legal advice and counseling on trade laws, export/import controls, sanctions, (TRADE) and anti-bribery and anti-corruption (ABAC).
• Provide legal advice to businesses and relevant compliance teams on TRADE and ABAC matters
• Conduct and support TRADE/ABAC compliance risk assessments and audits and develop remediation or corrective action plans.
• Reporting to AESC Chief Compliance Officer and working in collaboration with them to support TRADE/ABAC program development - including policies, procedures and automated systems.
• Monitor and keep current on the rapidly evolving TRADE/ABAC environment; communicate with businesses on the impact of changes and support and develop risk mitigation strategies.
• Support the business with any required changes to policies and procedures based on changes in applicable laws and regulations.
• Lead interactions with TRADE/ABAC government regulators; prepare and manage responses to internal and external audits and government inquiries.
• Help develop and deliver tailored training to raise awareness of TRADE/ABAC risks and obligations and support a continuing culture of compliance.
• Draft, review and advise on TRADE/ABAC provisions within contracts and transaction documentation.
• Support compliance due diligence reviews of third parties and counterparties.
• Deal with diverse constituencies of internal and external parties including regulators, external counsel, customers and vendors, and business and functional leaders; identify, retain and manage outside counsel as necessary.

What We Offer

Welcome to AESC, where you'll have the opportunity to tackle the world's most fascinating challenges alongside exceptionally talented individuals who are driven to make a difference. We strive to ensure that our employees are well taken care of, enabling them to focus on their work and contribute to our collective mission.

We offer:

• Comprehensive compensation packages including a competitive salary and a rewarding bonus program.
• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development.
• Highly automated, clean, safe, and temperature-controlled production environment
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• HSA and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401K with company match
• Life Insurance (Company paid and additional voluntary life available)
• Paid Vacation and 14 Paid Holidays
• Short term and long-term disability coverage (Company Paid)
• Tuition reimbursement

Application Process

Even if you don't meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. Your application allows us to learn more about you and find potential fits within our team. We strive to respond to all applicants promptly, though times may vary with submission volume. If you don't receive an immediate response, it doesn't reflect on your candidacy; we'll keep your application for future opportunities. Thank you for your patience and enthusiasm as we improve our application process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

At AESC, we are committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) to all individuals. We participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S Join us in our passion to design, manufacture, and sell high-performance products, contributing to a sustainable and zero-carbon emission future.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• Ability to sit for extended periods of time.
• Ability to read, write, speak, hear; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach and lift with hands and arms frequently throughout the day.

Work Environment

Candidate must perform the essential duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation efficiently and accurately, and without causing significant safety threat to self or others. The statements made herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive and inclusive list of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required of personnel so classified.

Hiring is contingent upon successful completion of drug screen and background check. AESC US LLC is a drug-free workplace.

The salary range for this position if located in California is $174,000-$243,000.

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Qualifications

What You Need

This role requires strong business acumen and the ability to work as a collaborative business partner across geographies, functions, and product lines to provide legal, policy, and strategic support to the businesses and the compliance teams. The successful candidate will have the ability to work independently, while ensuring connectivity with stakeholders and teammates.

• Legal or equivalent degree.
• Admitted to the bar in a relevant jurisdiction (e.g., Canada, EU, US, UK, China, Japan) and in good standing or otherwise authorized to practice law (e.g. have registered in-house status).
• 4-6 years post graduate work experience in either private firms or corporate environment.
• Needs to have experience working with anti-bribery/anti-corruption, export/import trade compliance, trade agreement, countries of restrictions (sanctions, embargo), tariff, anti-money laundry, anti-corruption, etc.
• Additional language capabilities in French, German, Japanese, Spanish, and/or especially Mandarin, an asset.
• Deep understanding TRADE/ABAC regulatory regimes in the USA (experience with such matters in non-US based environment an asset).
• Experience in program development and implementation, preferably with a global perspective; capacity to partner with leadership team.
• Willingness to adapt to a flexible schedule to accommodate multiple zones.
• Flexible/Hybrid working arrangements considered.

What is "Nice to Have"?

• Ability to speak, read, and write Mandarin Chinese.