Job Description

Join a next-generation manufacturing organization powering the future of artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. Compal is seeking an experienced Senior Legal Counsel to play a foundational role in establishing and leading its Legal Department in Texas. This is a strategic, hands-on role responsible for shaping the legal department driving culture, and ensuring the organization meets stakeholder expectations from day one.

This role provides end-to-end operational legal support for our US sites, focusing on construction/engineering contracts, factory setup, supplier/outsourcing agreements, HR/labor matters, and local/state/federal compliance & government liaison . The mandate is to enable schedule/cost certainty , ensure compliance, and mitigate risk. Not in scope as core requirements: IP licensing and M&A (helpful but not required).

Key Responsibilities

• Construction & Facilities Contracts: Draft/review/negotiation for EPC/GC, subcontractors, design consultants, MEP/utilities, maintenance, leases/land-use; structure milestones, progress payments, change orders, acceptance, warranty, claims, and dispute resolution.
• Factory Setup & Operations: Permits/occupancy, environmental & safety coordination (with internal teams/consultants), standardization of supplier and service agreement templates.
• Government & Compliance: Liaise with city/county/state authorities on incentives, permits and compliance; track relevant Texas legal updates.
• HR/Labor: Review employment agreements, handbooks and policies (shifts, overtime, premiums, grievance/investigation); advise on employee relations.
• Operational Support: Legal review for RMA/service center operations, logistics and procurement workflows; implement data protection, trade secrets/NDA and non-compete practices.
• Outside Counsel Management: Scope issues, control budget, manage deliverables and timelines.
• Enablement & Standards: Build contract templates, checklists and quick guides; provide basic compliance training to non-legal teams.

Qualifications

Must-Have

• Law degree (J.D. or equivalent) with US bar admission ( Texas preferred ) or eligibility for in-house practice.
• 12+ years in construction/engineering/manufacturing contracting and compliance.
• Strong contract drafting/redlining/negotiation skills; mastery of milestones, performance security, indemnities and liability caps.
• Solid knowledge of HR/labor regulations and policy development; proven cross-functional partnership with HR/Operations.
• Experience working with local/state/federal compliance and government agencies.
• Effective bilingual communication (English/Chinese a plus); thrives in fast-moving, cross-time-zone settings.

Nice-to-Have

• Greenfield factory or high-tech manufacturing site experience.
• Familiarity with economic incentives documentation and commitments.
• Working knowledge of EHS/OSHA , basic export controls (EAR/ITAR) , and privacy/trade secret matters.
• Prior experience managing outside counsel and legal spend.

Success Metrics (Examples)

• Turnaround time for contract review (e.g., 3–5 business days for standard forms; complex items per project plan).
• On-time delivery of legal critical path items for factory milestones (permits, agreements, go-live).
• Early risk identification/mitigation rate and value impact.
• Adoption of templates and completion of compliance trainings .

Others

• Close on-site collaboration with Taylor/Georgetown teams; travel as needed.
• Relocation per company policy (eligible roles/allowances to apply).

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