Director, Senior Legal Counsel

Company Description

At Western Digital, our vision is to power global innovation and push the boundaries of technology to make what you thought was once impossible, possible.

At our core, Western Digital is a company of problem solvers. People achieve extraordinary things given the right technology. For decades, we’ve been doing just that—our technology helped people put a man on the moon and capture the first-ever picture of a black hole.

We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies, HDDs, and platforms for business, creative professionals, and consumers alike under our Western Digital®, WD®, WD_BLACK™, and SanDisk® Professional brands.

We are a key partner to some of the largest and highest-growth organizations in the world. From enabling systems to make cities safer and more connected, to powering the data centers behind many of the world’s biggest companies and hyperscale cloud providers, to meeting the massive and ever-growing data storage needs of the AI era, Western Digital is fueling a brighter, smarter future.

Today’s exceptional challenges require your unique skills. Together, we can build the future of data storage.

Job Description

As a member of the Contracts Management Organization this attorney will provide high-quality legal counsel and support to Western Digital’s Strategic Sourcing Organization and Engineering including negotiation of commercial agreements and collaboration with internal stakeholders and outside counsel.  This full-time position is based at Western Digital’s offices in Irvine or San Jose, California. 

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE: 

• Partnering with internal business clients and identifying/advising on risks and opportunities associated with a transaction or matter and proposing strategic as well as practical advice for mitigation or achievement. This role will focus on supporting Western Digital’s Direct Procurement team and Engineering teams. 
• Structuring, drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and finalizing complex technology, licensing, component or product supply, manufacturing and other procurement contracts, including, but not limited to, third-party IP/design license agreements, engineering design automation (EDA) software license agreements, engineering services agreements, custom component sourcing contracts, equipment purchase agreements, product supply agreements, collaboration agreements, non-disclosure agreements, engagement letters, statements of works, amendments, and other business/legal documents. 
• Working closely with attorneys and contracts managers within the Contract Management Organization and interfacing with Western Digital subject matter experts, as needed.  
• Implementing and managing aspects of the contracts management process and policies, including using and improving strategic playbooks, templates, and contract life cycle management processes.   
• Working on special projects as needed.  

Qualifications

REQUIRED: 

• 8-10 years in the practice of relevant experience in commercial and contract law as in-house counsel with emphasis in the areas of responsibility described above. 
• Juris Doctorate (JD) from accredited law school; Top 50 law school preferred. 
• Current member of California State Bar in good standing or Registered In-house Counsel in California. 

PREFERRED: 

• Technology background and/or engineering/technical degree highly desired. 
• Strong IP/patent licensing background preferred. 

SKILLS: 

• Experience working for technology companies or in the technology industry and supporting commercial transactions for engineering organizations. 
• Experience drafting and negotiating high volumes of complex equipment purchase agreements, component supply agreements, maintenance services agreements, and related procurement contracts. 
• Instills trust and has excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to collaborate, demonstrate diplomacy, and otherwise interact well with colleagues and management in a highly professional manner. 
• Proficiency diving deep and accurately into details and strong analytical skills. 
• Attention to detail and ability to produce high quality work product. 
• Strong work ethic and ability to handle, prioritize and advance multiple projects in a global stakeholder environment (viz., the United States and APAC region).  
• Track record of providing high-quality, timely results on a wide variety of contract matters. 
• Self-starter who takes ownership of work and demonstrates the ability to work independently and collaboratively with others. 
• Committed to growth mindset and continuous improvement. 
• Experience with contract lifecycle management and e-signature software tool. 

Additional Information

Western