Senior Legal Counsel, Automotive (EMEA) (f/m/d)

Job description

Automotive semiconductors sit at the center of the industry's biggest shifts — electrification, ADAS, and ever more connected vehicles — and the legal and commercial complexity is growing just as fast. This role puts you right in the middle of it.

What You'll Do

• You'll draft, review and negotiate complex automotive semiconductor agreements — framework contracts, IP license agreements, communication documents, supply and quality agreements, cost-sharing and buffer-stock arrangements — with global OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers.
• You'll lead high-stakes commercial negotiations end-to-end — deal strategy, risk allocation (liability caps, IP indemnification), pricing mechanics — and coordinate with Sales, Finance and engineering, often under real deadline pressure.
• You'll advise on automotive-sector regulatory and compliance topics, including export control and connected vehicle regulations, and support related audits.
• You'll work closely with colleagues across EMEA, the US and APAC to build consistent contracting standards and negotiation playbooks for our automotive semiconductor business.
• You'll help shape a newly established automotive legal function from the ground up — defining how things get done, not just following a rulebook that already exists.
• You'll get direct exposure to senior sales, finance and executive stakeholders — most of what lands on your desk is high-value and high-visibility, not routine paperwork.
• You'll be a key contributor to managing Renesas' automotive legal risk, partnering with automotive team members in Europe, Asia and the US and the wider legal team.

Qualifications

What You Bring

• You're a fully qualified lawyer (Volljurist(in)) with solid results in both German state law examinations — we care more about how you think and negotiate than about your “Prädikat”.
• 6+ years of in-house experience in the automotive sector (OEM or Tier 1), the semiconductor industry or similar business environment, ideally with hands-on experience negotiating complex, high-value supply agreements and strong international exposure.
• Profound IP and licensing knowledge is an advantage, but not essential if you are eager to learn.
• A pragmatic, hands-on mindset and strong business acumen — you're comfortable navigating ambiguity and getting deals done, not just spotting issues.
• Keen attention to detail combined with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• You can multi-task in a fast-paced, deadline-driven negotiation environment and work effectively across time zones with colleagues in the US and APAC.
• You have good judgment about when to ask for guidance — and when not to.
• A cooperative attitude, a results-oriented approach, and a good sense of humour — multi-week negotiations go better with one.
• You're fluent in German and English, verbally and in writing, ideally with another language.
• You're at ease with the rhythms of working in a global organization.