Commercial Counsel

QuantumScape
San Jose, CA

QuantumScape is on a mission to transform energy storage with solid-state lithium-metal battery technology. The company's next-generation batteries are designed to enable greater energy density, faster charging, and enhanced safety to support the transition away from legacy energy sources toward a lower carbon future.

Why This Role Matters

Our solid-state battery platform sits at the frontier of materials science, manufacturing, and automotive technology. As we scale our operations and deepen our strategic relationships, we need legal talent that can support both our public company obligations and a growing portfolio of commercial and technology transactions. Reporting to the Sr. Director of Legal and Corporate Development, you will contribute meaningfully across two critical domains—corporate governance and commercial contracting—while developing the breadth and depth that defines exceptional in-house counsel.

About the Team

You will join a "small but mighty" public company legal team that is viewed by internal stakeholders as a trusted business partner. Each team member combines deep expertise in specific domains with the versatility of a seasoned generalist. Our ability to "do more with less" provides each team member with the opportunity to work on a broader diversity of matters and gain a higher level of responsibility, exposure, and skills compared to other in-house teams. We foster a culture of continuous learning, and we view every attorney as a future general counsel.

What You'll Do

Corporate & Public Company Support

  • Support senior counsel with SEC reporting and compliance, including the preparation and review of Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, 4, and related disclosures, as well as shareholder letters, earnings releases, and related investor communications.
  • Assist with board and committee governance, including preparation of board materials, minutes, resolutions and written consents.
  • Help maintain corporate records and other essential corporate housekeeping.
  • Conduct legal research and drafting in support of corporate governance, securities law, and compliance initiatives.

Commercial & Technology Transactions

  • Support the review, drafting, and negotiation of a range of commercial agreements, including:
  • Non-disclosure agreements and material transfer agreements
  • Vendor, supplier, and services agreements
  • Early-stage technology, R&D, and collaboration agreements
  • Managing contract management platform, being responsible for contract intake, and issue-spotting to enable business partners to make informed decisions quickly.
  • Partner with internal teams—including R&D, engineering, operations, procurement, and business development—to support contract execution and ongoing compliance.

Secondary Support

While your primary focus will be supporting corporate and commercial counsel functions, our legal team operates with versatility. You may be asked to contribute, as needed and under supervision, to adjacent areas such as intellectual property, regulatory compliance (e.g., export controls, EHS), employment matters, litigation support, risk management, policy development, and internal training initiatives.

Values and Culture

Embody company values and adopt best practices regarding use of company systems and processes, management and leadership, collaboration, and mentoring. Contribute to a positive culture based on continuous learning, professional growth, and development.

Qualifications & Skills

We are looking for first-rate talent.

  • At minimum, you will have a J.D. degree from a national law school, state bar membership in good standing, and at least 2–5 years of relevant experience at a premier law firm (additional in-house legal experience is a plus), with meaningful exposure to either corporate/securities or commercial transactions work.
  • Prior experience supporting public company governance, SEC compliance or commercial transactions is a plus.
  • A technical background would be an asset. You are not expected to be a battery expert, but a demonstrated curiosity and willingness to ascend our technology learning curve will set you apart.

Qualities Required

  • Possesses a strong sense of mission and is looking to help build something of consequence.
  • Holds oneself to the highest levels of integrity, authenticity, accountability, and humility. Values the humanity in all colleagues, acts respectfully and with good intentions at all times, and considers and learns from the views of others.
  • Demonstrates a bias toward action and results; is proactive and has the strong ability to both operate independently and work collaboratively with various teams across the organization. Must have a "roll up your sleeves and let's get the job done right" attitude.
  • Possesses psychological flexibility and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to an evolving role in the context of larger organizational changes. Versatile and willing to work on matters outside the comfort zone of a traditional specialist, and to pitch in across areas.
  • Carries a growth and collaborative mindset, willing to expand one's domains of competence and knowledge (including battery science and technology), and willing to support colleagues' efforts to do the same.

ONSITE: This position is required to work onsite 5 days per week to meet the minimum essential duties and requirements of this position. As an on-site R&D and manufacturing operations organization, in-person, face-to-face interaction is essential to building authentic relationships, trust, teamwork, and collaboration.

Compensation & Benefits

Expected salary range for this role is $180,000 to $240,000. A final salary will be determined by the candidate's experience and educational background. QuantumScape Battery Inc. also offers an annual bonus and a generous RSU/Equity package as part of its compensation plan. In addition, we offer a comprehensive benefits package including employee-paid health care, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), and other benefits.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job

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