General Counsel
Neurophos
Legal
San Mateo, CA, USA
Posted on Apr 1, 2026
About Neurophos
The demand for new datacenters and AI compute is rapidly outpacing the planet's energy capacity. Digital solutions are hitting a power wall as we approach the physical limits of traditional silicon. Conquering this bottleneck isn’t about bigger chips or more of them; it means rethinking the fundamental architecture. The industry's current path isn’t going to meet the need, so we took a different approach.
Instead of traditional electronic circuits, we use silicon photonics and an active, programmable metasurface to perform matrix multiplications at the speed of light. Our optical cells are 10,000x smaller than traditional photonic components, enabling unprecedented density. By using photonics instead of electricity, our chips become more efficient as they scale. This architecture will deliver up to 100 times the energy efficiency of existing solutions while significantly improving performance for large-scale AI inference.
We’ve assembled a world-class team of industry veterans and recently raised a $110M Series A led by Gates Frontier. Participants include M12 (Microsoft’s Venture Fund), Carbon Direct Capital, Aramco Ventures, Bosch Ventures, Tectonic Ventures, Space Capital, and others. We have also been recognized on the EE Times Silicon 100 list for several consecutive years.
Join us and shape the future of computing!
Position Overview
We are hiring a General Counsel to join our leadership team. This role offers legal counsel, corporate support, and guidance to executives, the board, and senior leaders. The General Counsel will lead legal strategy and compliance programs, oversee all legal affairs, and influence organizational strategy, handling domestic and international transactions. This person will protect our intellectual property, navigate the complexities of the semiconductor and AI industries, and manage a growing IP portfolio. They will also lead strategic partnerships with top-tier foundries and global companies, establishing vital relationships. The ideal candidate is an experienced, innovative, collaborative problem solver with strong negotiation, writing, and analytical skills. They should expertly assess risks, think strategically, communicate effectively, and develop practical solutions to complex and novel challenges.
Location: Austin, TX or San Mateo, CA. Full-time onsite position.
Key Responsibilities
This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in an innovative startup redefining the future of AI hardware. Work on a game-changing technology at the intersection of photonics and AI as part of a collaborative and brilliant team. You’ll contribute to a platform that redefines computational performance and accelerates the future of artificial intelligence. Come help us bring this transformative technology to the world.
Benefits
Join a team that invests in your future and your well-being. At Neurophos, we offer:
The demand for new datacenters and AI compute is rapidly outpacing the planet's energy capacity. Digital solutions are hitting a power wall as we approach the physical limits of traditional silicon. Conquering this bottleneck isn’t about bigger chips or more of them; it means rethinking the fundamental architecture. The industry's current path isn’t going to meet the need, so we took a different approach.
Instead of traditional electronic circuits, we use silicon photonics and an active, programmable metasurface to perform matrix multiplications at the speed of light. Our optical cells are 10,000x smaller than traditional photonic components, enabling unprecedented density. By using photonics instead of electricity, our chips become more efficient as they scale. This architecture will deliver up to 100 times the energy efficiency of existing solutions while significantly improving performance for large-scale AI inference.
We’ve assembled a world-class team of industry veterans and recently raised a $110M Series A led by Gates Frontier. Participants include M12 (Microsoft’s Venture Fund), Carbon Direct Capital, Aramco Ventures, Bosch Ventures, Tectonic Ventures, Space Capital, and others. We have also been recognized on the EE Times Silicon 100 list for several consecutive years.
Join us and shape the future of computing!
Position Overview
We are hiring a General Counsel to join our leadership team. This role offers legal counsel, corporate support, and guidance to executives, the board, and senior leaders. The General Counsel will lead legal strategy and compliance programs, oversee all legal affairs, and influence organizational strategy, handling domestic and international transactions. This person will protect our intellectual property, navigate the complexities of the semiconductor and AI industries, and manage a growing IP portfolio. They will also lead strategic partnerships with top-tier foundries and global companies, establishing vital relationships. The ideal candidate is an experienced, innovative, collaborative problem solver with strong negotiation, writing, and analytical skills. They should expertly assess risks, think strategically, communicate effectively, and develop practical solutions to complex and novel challenges.
Location: Austin, TX or San Mateo, CA. Full-time onsite position.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide legal advice to executives and management, or coordinate with external counsel, on issues such as regulation, privacy, risk, intellectual property, corporate administration, finance, treasury, and HR.
- Lead our legal function and manage outside partnerships.
- Prepare and review legal documents and data, advising on appropriate legal actions. Ensure that legal issues, contracts, disputes, and complex transactions comply with relevant legal frameworks.
- Provide expertise and guidance on corporate governance policies and procedures throughout the company.
- Create and execute risk management policies and procedures. Lead legal efforts for future funding rounds and manage board-level communications regarding risk and compliance.
- Draft, negotiate, review, and finalize contracts and agreements.
- Develop and implement intellectual property protection strategies.
- Negotiate and manage complex manufacturing agreements with top-tier foundries and OSATs.
- Oversee NDAs and partnership agreements.
- Ensure compliance with export controls, particularly for advanced AI and semiconductor technologies.
- Lead all legal aspects of fundraising and strategic partnership activities, such as venture capital financings and strategic investments.
- Lead employment law matters, equity compensation, and HR policies.
- JD from an accredited law school and active bar member in good standing in California or Texas.
- 15+ years of legal experience, with significant time spent in-house at a technology company producing hardware, deep tech, or semiconductors.
- Experience within advanced semiconductor companies.
- Broad legal knowledge of mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions, regulatory compliance, litigation, and intellectual property.
- Experience in a fast-paced environment, preferably in AI/semiconductor companies
- Successful track record managing outside counsel.
- Experience with startup fund-raising and venture capital.
- Experience in IP protection and licensing.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and strategic thinking skills.
- Previously negotiated large, complex agreements with international vendors, including foundries, design partners, and OSATs.
- Have led legal efforts within a startup.
- Experience with the complex legal landscape of the AI industry.
This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in an innovative startup redefining the future of AI hardware. Work on a game-changing technology at the intersection of photonics and AI as part of a collaborative and brilliant team. You’ll contribute to a platform that redefines computational performance and accelerates the future of artificial intelligence. Come help us bring this transformative technology to the world.
Benefits
Join a team that invests in your future and your well-being. At Neurophos, we offer:
- 100% coverage of base health plan premiums for you and your dependents, plus HSA contributions.
- Unlimited PTO. No rigid vacation banks, just a focus on delivery.
- 401(k) matching and stock option opportunities to ensure our success is your success.
- Full suite of voluntary benefits, including Dental, Vision, Life, Hospital, Critical Illness, and Accident insurance.
- Personalized Benefits. Choose the plans that fit your life and take the cash back for those that don’t.