Sr. Commercial Counsel, Business Development

Archer; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 230,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer Aviation, based in San Jose, CA, seeks a Senior Commercial Counsel to partner with global sales, marketing, and partnerships and lead complex contract negotiations, including aircraft sales, government contracts, and enterprise SaaS deals.

You will accelerate deal velocity while protecting Archer’s commercial interests and IP during rapid international expansion, with essential FAR/DFARS compliance and cross-functional collaboration with finance and product teams.

Qualifications

• 6–10 years of experience as a practicing attorney (with at least 3 years in-house).
• Proven track record of owning strategic commercial deal negotiation from draft to signature.
• Experience with US and international public-sector, defense contracting, and government procurement (FAR/DFARS).
• Excellent written and verbal communication with ability to translate legal concepts for business stakeholders.
• Proactive, able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• J.D. degree from an accredited law school and active state bar membership.

Responsibilities

• Lead the legal structuring, drafting, and negotiation of complex commercial agreements (aircraft sales, services, SaaS, partnerships).
• Serve as primary legal contact for US and foreign government and defense contracting, ensuring FAR/DFARS compliance.
• Develop and refine global contract templates and negotiation positions with business development leadership.
• Support product launches by creating commercial legal frameworks for market entry and revenue generation.
• Collaborate with Finance to ensure revenue recognition and optimize Quote-to-Cash processes.
• Identify and mitigate cross-border export controls (ITAR/EAR) and compliance risks.
• Coordinate cross-functionally to provide timely legal support.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory compliance

Drafting complex agreements

Education

J.D. degree

Bar admission

Tools

Ironclad

e-billing tools

Job description

Archer is an aerospace company based in San Jose, California building an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft with a mission to advance the benefits of sustainable air mobility. We are designing, manufacturing, and operating an all-electric aircraft that can carry four passengers while producing minimal noise.

Our sights are set high and our problems are hard, and we believe that diversity in the workplace is what makes us smarter, drives better insights, and will ultimately lift us all to success. We are dedicated to cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment that embraces our differences, and supports and celebrates all of our team members.

As Senior Commercial Counsel, Business Development, you will be a strategic partner to Archer’s global go-to-market teams including sales, marketing, and strategic partnerships. You will serve as the lead negotiator for our most complex commercial transactions, including aircraft sales agreements, high-value government contracts, market entry partnerships, and enterprise SaaS agreements. You will be responsible for accelerating "deal velocity" and revenue recognition while ensuring the company’s commercial interests and intellectual property are protected during rapid global expansion.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the legal structuring, drafting, and negotiation of complex commercial agreements, including aircraft sales, operations and services agreements, enterprise SaaS subscriptions, and strategic partnership deals.
• Act as the primary legal point of contact for US and foreign government and defense contracting, including ensuring compliance with FAR/DFARS requirements and managing the unique complexities of public sector procurement.
• Partner with business development leadership to develop and refine global "playbooks," standardizing contract templates and negotiation positions.
• Support the launch of new products and services by developing the commercial legal frameworks required for market entry, ensuring seamless transitions from product development to revenue generation.
• Collaborate closely with Finance and Deals Desk to ensure revenue recognition compliance and optimize the "Quote-to-Cash" process.
• Identify and mitigate commercial risks in international expansion, including export controls (ITAR/EAR) and cross-border trade compliance.
• Coordinate cross-functionally in a proactive manner to ensure legal support is fully integrated with the business and provided in an efficient and timely manner.

What You Need:

• 6–10 years of experience as a practicing attorney in a law firm or in-house legal department (with at least 3 of those years with an in-house legal team).
• Proven track record of owning strategic commercial deal negotiation from initial draft to signature, and supporting post-signature deal execution, in close collaboration with sales, business development, and product teams.
• Specific experience with US and international public-sector, defense contracting, and government procurement (including FAR/DFARS).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex legal concepts for business stakeholders.
• A proactive attitude and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• Intellectual curiosity, practical business judgment, and strong problem-solving skills.
• J.D. degree from an accredited law school and active membership in at least one state bar.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience with aviation and the aerospace industry, particularly with emerging technologies development, aircraft operations, and/or private piloting.
• Experience advising on the development, sale, and use of Artificial Intelligence products and services and related compliance advice.
• Familiarity with using, implementing, and administering contract management systems (e.g., Ironclad) and e-billing tools.

Please note that this job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and does not include an exhaustive list of responsibilities and qualifications.

At Archer we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent that possess the skills and leadership necessary to grow our business. We drive a pay-for-performance culture and reward performance that supports the Company’s business strategy. For this position we are targeting a base pay between $230,000 - $250,000, in addition to bonus and equity. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

By applying, you agree to be bound by our candidate privacy policy.

Information collected and processed as part of any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Archer's Candidate Privacy Policy.

Archer is unable to provide work visa sponsorship for this position at the present time.

Archer is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Archer Aviation does not engage with external recruiting agencies/individual recruiters with whom it does not have a prior written agreement. Archer reserves the right to make use of any unsolicited resumes that it receives and bears no responsibility for payment of any fees asserted from the use of unsolicited resumes.