Posted 2mo ago

Legal Counsel

@ Diraq
Australia
HybridFull Time
Responsibilities:advise leadership, establish function, negotiate agreements
Requirements Summary:10+ years PQE in private practice and in-house, venture-backed tech experience; regulatory, IP, corporate, and international expansion expertise.
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Job Description

Job description

Diraq is redefining scalable quantum computing by enabling millions of qubits on a single chip – far beyond the hundreds available today – to unlock practical, commercial quantum applications. We are building a full-stack quantum computing company, delivering quantum hardware and software as a cloud-accessible service. 

Our proprietary technology, backed by over 20 years of research and more than $150 million in grant and venture capital funding, and protected by 11 patent families, leverages existing silicon CMOS manufacturing and foundries to accelerate development and reduce costs – paving a faster, more efficient path to market. 

At Diraq, we’re building the future of quantum computing, enabling millions of qubits on a single chip. Our commercial and operational teams are the backbone of this mission, and we’re looking for generalist lawyer to join us as our inaugural legal counsel. This is a foundational role responsible for building and owning the legal function from the ground up. You will serve as a trusted advisor to the senior leadership team, enabling rapid execution while protecting the company’s long-term strategic and commercial interests.


You will operate as both a strategic partner and hands-on executor, supporting complex commercial agreements, fundraising, governance regulatory matters, and international expansion. Over time, you will build the legal infrastructure required to support a global quantum technology company.

Job requirements

  • 10+ years PQEwith a combination of top-tier private practice and in-house experience
  • Experience as part of an early or scaling legal function within a high-growth, venture-backed technology company (deep-tech, hardware, or emerging technology experience strongly preferred)
  • Experience working with universities, research institutions, and public or grant-funded research programs, including collaboration, IP, and technology transfer arrangements
  • Demonstrated experience supporting complex commercial relationships, including customer, supplier, licensing, and strategic partnership agreements
  • Strong understanding of regulatory and compliance frameworks relevant to advanced technology companies, including export controls, cross-border operations, and corporate structuring
  • Ability to articulate and translate between legal speak and commercial terms when communicating with internal and external stakeholders
  • Experience supporting venture financings, corporate restructures, and international expansion
  • Ability to operate autonomously and build legal processes and frameworks in fast-moving, resource-constrained environments
  • Strong ownership mindset, with the ability to balance legal risk management and commercial execution

Job responsibilities

  • Advise the senior leadership team on strategic matters, including general compliance, corporate structuring, regulatory obligations, cross-border issues, and legal contracts
  • Establish and own the company’s legal function, including legal frameworks, contract processes, compliance programs, governance, and external counsel management
  • Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of agreements, including customer, supplier, strategic partnership, licensing, and research collaboration agreements
  • Partner cross-functionally with other internal functions, including technology, finance, operations, business development, partnerships, information security, intellectual property
  • Oversee and continuously develop the company’s governance, compliance, and risk management frameworks, including regulatory compliance and insurance coverage
  • Support on legal activities related to investor relations, capital raising, M&A, and other strategic transactions
  • Support corporate structuring, cross-border expansion, and entity management across multiple jurisdictions
  • Advise on export controls, regulatory requirements, and government-related matters relevant to advanced and sensitive technologies
  • Manage and coordinate external counsel to address various and cross-discipline, cross-border legal matter
  • Operate as a highly autonomous and proactive leader, capable of delivering clear, commercially focused advice in a fast-paced, high-growth environment

     

Job benefits

  • Stunning central Sydney CBD office with great amenities.
  • Paid time off to volunteer for causes you care about.
  • Eligibility to participate in our equity incentive plan.
  • Work alongside world experts in quantum computing and a visionary SLT.
  • A dynamic, supportive, and fast-paced environment with room to grow.
  • Exposure to cutting-edge tech and the opportunity to shape how it reaches the world.