Cambridge, UK | Full-time | Permanent | Hybrid
About us
Riverlane’s mission is to master quantum error correction (QEC) and unlock a new age of human progress. From advances in material and climate science, to complex chemistry simulation for new drug design, quantum computers will help humanity solve some of its most important challenges. But without QEC, the industry’s defining technical challenge, such breakthroughs can never be achieved. Riverlane is the world leader in QEC technology. QEC is a complex problem that requires a range of skills, talent and passion.
Having raised more than $125M in funding to date to accelerate our cutting-edge R&D in quantum error correction (QEC), Riverlane partners with many of the world’s leading quantum hardware providers and government agencies to make fault-tolerant quantum computing a reality. We’re making remarkable progress and growing fast.
About the role
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced, commercially minded lawyer to take on a senior, strategic role in our legal function. We're looking for a self-starter, someone confident leading on complex high-value matters and helping shape the legal frameworks that support our continued growth while at the same time actively operating as part of a close-knit team.
As Senior Legal Counsel, you will act as a trusted advisor to the General Counsel and senior leadership, owning significant transactions, managing high-risk legal issues, and driving strategic legal projects across the business. You’ll work directly with senior stakeholders in R&D, operations, commercial, and HR, helping to balance legal risk with commercial opportunity in a fast-moving, science-led environment.
You will also play a key role in building the future of our legal operations – designing scalable processes, developing risk frameworks, and introducing tools and training that empower teams to handle day-to-day matters more efficiently.
The role will suit a confident and pragmatic solicitor with significant experience in commercial contracts and cross-functional advisory work, who thrives on working in a team and is comfortable making judgement calls at speed. You’ll combine excellent legal knowledge and technical skills with strong business acumen, and have the credibility to influence decision-making at the highest levels.
What you will do
- Lead negotiation and risk allocation on complex, high-value commercial agreements, including strategic partnerships, Government funded projects, IP licensing, and enterprise-level customer/supplier contracts.
- Devise bespoke arrangements tailored to the evolving quantum ecosystem, utilising your knowledge of black letter law to draft contracts and templates from scratch where required.
- Develop the business’s legal risk & prioritisation framework.
- Design the legal intake & self-serve model, including strategic oversight of template suites and contract automation tools, to reduce dependency on General Counsel.
- Monitor legal and regulatory trends, translating them into actionable strategies for the business.
- Devise and deliver internal training programs to upskill the business and to manage legal and regulatory risks.
- Lead complex, strategic cross-functional initiatives with R&D, operations, commercial, and HR.
- Lead high-impact legal and operational projects aligned with business growth and risk appetite.
- Own complex, high-value transactions end-to-end, negotiating directly with senior counterparts.
- Lead compliance initiatives, for example data,export control & AI governance projects.
What we need
- 6+ years’ post-qualification experience (PQE) as a solicitor (England & Wales or equivalent), with significant experience in-house or advising comparable clients.
- Proven track record of leading high-value, complex commercial transactions and strategic legal projects from inception to completion.
- Deep expertise in commercial contract law.
- Strong business acumen, with the ability to balance legal risk against commercial objectives and influence decision-making at senior levels.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, capable of presenting to and advising board-level stakeholders.
- Demonstrated leadership and mentoring skills, including uplifting capability in junior legal team members and non-legal colleagues.
- Highly organised and self-sufficient, able to prioritise effectively in a fast-paced, scaling environment without close supervision.
- Trusted advisor mindset, confident building relationships with executives, regulators, and external counsel.
- Proactive and solutions-oriented, with a track record of driving process improvements and legal innovation.
Even better if you have…
- You’ve worked in an in-house legal team, ideally in a science, technology, or research-led organisation.
- You have a degree or background in science, technology, or engineering.
- You’ve supported internal compliance or training initiatives.
- You’re familiar with legal processes and issues in R&D-heavy or IP-sensitive environments.
What can you expect from us
- A comprehensive benefits package that includes an annual bonus plan, private medical insurance, life insurance, and a contributory pension scheme
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