Senior Corporate Counsel
Senior Corporate Counsel at Semtech — San Jose, California, United States
- Company: Semtech
- Location: San Jose, California, United States
- Employment type: FULL_TIME
- Salary: USD 230000–250000 / year
- Posted: 2026-06-17
About this role
Location: San Jose, Camarillo, or Irvine, California (Hybrid)
Job Summary
As a Senior Corporate Counsel, you will serve as a key legal advisor specializing in corporate governance, commercial contracts, and mergers and acquisitions for Semtech's global business operations. You will lead complex contract negotiations and M&A transactions, provide strategic counsel on securities and compliance matters, and collaborate with cross-functional teams, including business development, finance, and operations, to ensure the company navigates sophisticated legal challenges in the semiconductor industry. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in corporate law, complex commercial contracts, and business transactions, with proven expertise in the technology or semiconductor sectors and a track record of managing high-stakes legal matters.
Responsibilities
Corporate Governance & Securities
Provide counsel on corporate governance matters, including board governance, committee support, and compliance with applicable corporate laws and regulations
Assist with SEC filings, including 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, proxy statements, and other regulatory filings required for a publicly traded company
Advise on securities law compliance, including insider trading policies, executive compensation, and shareholder proposals
Support the preparation of earnings releases, investor relations materials, and other public disclosures
Ensure compliance with U.S. securities laws, Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Dodd-Frank, and other regulations affecting public companies
Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment of legal and business objectives on governance matters
Liaise with external law firms and service providers to support the company's corporate legal matters
Commercial Contracts and Transactions
Lead negotiation of high-value and complex commercial contracts, including master supply agreements, licensing agreements, technology transfer agreements, sales/distribution/reseller agreements, SaaS agreements, strategic partnerships, and others
Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts, including NDAs, vendor agreements, and professional services agreements
Provide strategic guidance to business teams on contract structures, risk allocation, and deal terms
Enhance and maintain contract templates, playbooks, and best practices for the organization
Ensure contracts comply with applicable laws, company policies, and strategic business objectives
Manage relationships with key commercial partners and resolve complex contractual disputes
Mergers and Acquisitions
Lead legal support for M&A transactions, including due diligence, contract negotiations, and deal structuring
Draft and review merger, acquisition, joint venture, and strategic partnership agreements
Coordinate with internal teams and external legal counsel to ensure smooth transaction processes and alignment with corporate strategy
Support preparation of public disclosures related to material contracts
Minimum Qualifications
Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
Active membership in good standing with the bar
7-15 years of experience in corporate law, with a focus on corporate governance, securities, commercial contracts, and M&A
Proven track record managing complex, high-value transactions and legal matters
Strong experience with semiconductor industry or technology sector transactions
Exposure to U.S. securities laws, Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Dodd-Frank, and other regulations affecting public companies
Strong understanding of corporate governance principles, M&A transactions, and commercial contracts
Experience with SEC filings and compliance matters for publicly traded companies
Exceptional drafting, negotiation, and communication skills
Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously under tight deadlines
Proven ability to work independently and provide strategic legal counsel to senior management
Desired Qualifications
Previous in-house counsel experience at publicly traded technology or semiconductor companies
Experience with international transactions and cross-border legal matters
Knowledge of corporate governance best practices and regulatory trends
Strong business acumen with demonstrated ability to balance legal risk with business objectives
Experience managing outside counsel relationships and legal budgets
Strong project management and organizational skills
Strategic thinker with ability to provide practical, business-oriented legal solutions
Excellent attention to detail and ability to navigate complex regulatory environments
Collaborative leadership style with proven ability to influence and build relationships across all organizational levels
Self-motivated and adaptable, with demonstrated success in fast-paced, dynamic environments
_The intent of this job description is to describe the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically included in this description.
_ _All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
_ _We are proud to be an EEO employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace.
_ _A reasonable estimate of the pay range for this position is US: $230,000 - $250,000. There are several factors taken into consideration in determining base salary, including but not limited to: job-related qualifications, skills, education and experience, as well as job location and the value of other elements of an employee's total compensation package.
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