Senior Employment Counsel for Hypergrowth AI Startup

Fireworks AI; United States; On-site; USD 140,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Fireworks AI is seeking an Employment Counsel to join our fast-growing legal team. You’ll own employment and labor matters as we scale across multiple states, ensuring compliance and practical risk management for a rapidly expanding workforce.

You’ll partner closely with HR and People Operations to build scalable policies, templates, and training; advise on equity and compensation considerations; and help negotiate international expansion within global labor laws.

Qualifications

• Familiarity with employee equity and compensation considerations.
• Startup experience in hypergrowth environments.
• JD and bar admission in at least one US state.
• Proven collaboration with HR/People Operations teams.
• Experience supporting international expansion and navigating global employment laws.
• Pragmatic, build-from-scratch mindset balancing risk with business velocity.
• AI-forward mindset with ability to use AI tools to streamline daily workflows.
• 9+ years of in-house employment and labor law experience.

Responsibilities

• Own employment and labor matters for scaling workforce.
• Advise HR and People Operations as day-to-day legal partner.
• Build scalable employment policies, templates, and processes.
• Support international expansion and cross-border compliance.
• Manage employment-related disputes and coordinate outside counsel.
• Keep pace with compliance obligations during headcount growth.

Skills

Equity & compensation familiarity

Startup/hypergrowth experience

Collaboration with HR/People Ops

International expansion experience

Build-from-scratch mindset

AI-tools for workflows

9+ years in-house employment & labor

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Fireworks AI is seeking an Employment Counsel to join our fast-growing legal team. You’ll own employment and labor matters as we scale across multiple states, ensuring compliance and practical risk management for a rapidly expanding workforce.

You’ll partner closely with HR and People Operations to build scalable policies, templates, and training; advise on equity and compensation considerations; and help negotiate international expansion within global labor laws.