Contract Attorney -- Solar & Energy (Temporary)
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AI Summary
Why Work at SMA America
At SMA America, we believe in Energy that Changes. Since 1981, we’ve been developing innovative solar technology that simplifies, secures, and enhances the performance of photovoltaic systems — all while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in clean energy.
But we’re not just transforming power — we’re empowering people.
We’ve built a culture where bold ideas are welcomed, collaboration is second nature, and your career growth truly matters. With our Rocklin, CA headquarters as the hub, we offer a hybrid work model, competitive benefits, and a team-driven environment where your impact is seen and felt.
Whether you’re a sales expert, service pro, or engineering innovator, if you’re ready to join a purpose-driven team committed to shaping the future of energy — we’d love to meet you.
PURPOSE OF POSITION
The Contract Attorney will independently provide interim legal support to SMA America's legal department during a planned leave of absence. This position will provide legal analysis and advice, assess the legal consequences of business decisions, and monitor business transactions and projects for compliance and potential risks. The Contract Attorney will focus primarily on procurement contracts in the solar and energy sector, OEM and white label agreements, distributor agreements, and antitrust matters arising from distributor relationships. As an integral member of the procurement and contract management functions, this role will support the contract lifecycle from requests for proposals through contract execution, coordinating with all relevant internal functions and managing complex commercial contracts under the direction of the General Counsel.
PRIMARY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES
- Independently draft, analyze, review, revise, and negotiate a variety of contracts -- including procurement agreements, OEM and white label agreements, distributor agreements, letters of intent, confidentiality agreements, and sales agreements -- while assessing commercial risks holistically before and during project execution. Ensure all contracts comply with SMA's legal, commercial, and compliance policies and contractual requirements.
- Serve as a key point of contact and coordinate with contract management, procurement, project management, applications engineering, sales, service, finance, and senior management.
- Proactively provide creative and business-oriented guidance to internal teams on corporate goals and legal risk.
- Develop negotiation strategies and support the negotiation team on complex contracts.
- Advise on procurement contracts with a focus on solar energy, technology OEM, and white label agreements, primarily representing the reseller or buyer.
- Advise on distributor agreements in the energy sector, with particular emphasis on antitrust matters arising from distributor relationships, primarily representing the seller.
- Interpret laws, rulings, and regulations -- including those related to energy, federal procurement, and antitrust -- in the context of solar energy for utility, commercial, and residential products and services. Assume full professional responsibility for responding to both internal and external inquiries with minimal supervision.
- Participate in organizational risk reviews, providing useful and detailed input on legal and commercial risks.
- Manage claims and other legal matters as directed by the General Counsel, including analyzing risk, supporting dispute resolution, and advising on settlements.
- Provide reports on the status of legal matters, claims, and contract activity.
- Perform other duties as needed and assigned.
REQUIRED RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Juris Doctor required; active bar membership in good standing with applicable state bar association.
- Licensed to practice law in relevant U.S. jurisdictions.
- Minimum 8 years of experience in procurement contracts, preferably in the solar energy sector. Candidates with experience in technology OEM contracts or white label agreements representing the reseller or buyer will also be considered.
- Minimum 10 years of experience with distributor agreements in the energy sector, including antitrust experience arising from distributor relationships, preferably representing the seller.
- Familiarity with antitrust law, particularly as it applies to distributor and reseller relationships, employment, tariffs, and bankruptcy laws.
- Knowledge of energy and federal procurement regulations.
- Understanding of the risks that arise in an EPC / infrastructure contracting environment.
- In-house legal counsel experience preferred.
WE OFFER
- Pay rate: $140 -- $160/hr (negotiable based on experience and profile).
- Flexible, part-time remote engagement: 20 -- 30 hours per week.
- Engagement duration: 3 months minimum, up to 9 -- 10 months.
- Fully remote position; U.S.-based candidates only.
- Opportunity to work directly with an experienced General Counsel on high-impact commercial and energy sector legal matters.
- Inclusive and collaborative work environment at a leading global solar technology company.
Our EEO Policy
We are an equal opportunity employer and we make our employment decisions on the basis of merit and without regard to one’s race, color, creed, sex (includes gender, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender identity, religion, marital status, age (over 40), national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability (includes HIV/Aids), medical condition (cancer, genetic characteristics), veteran’s status, sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by law.
In accordance with applicable law protecting qualified individuals with known disabilities, SMA will attempt to reasonably accommodate qualified applicants with known disabilities, unless doing so would create an undue hardship on SMA. Any qualified applicant with a disability who believes he or she requires an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of the job for which he or she is applying should identify the accommodation(s) needed in the application.
Our Privacy Policy
During your job application or recruitment process with us: (a) SMA may collect your personal information directly from you, such as when you submit your application and resume on our online portal or when you have job interviews with us. We may also obtain your personal information from third parties, including but not limited to your former employers, background or employment check service providers or third-party recruiters; and, (b) SMA may use or process applicants' personal information for relevant purposes including but not limited to general communications with you, identity verification, background or employment checks, determination of eligibility, and making hiring decisions. For successful job applicants who become SMA’s staff, we may retain and integrate your personal information collected during the recruitment process into your records at SMA. For unsuccessful job applicants, [SMA may retain your application for internal records or for future recruitment purposes].
If you are a California resident, you have specific rights regarding your personal information under the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, as amended including by the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020, and its implementing regulations (the “CCPA”). This Company Personnel and Covered Individuals Privacy Notice for California Residents issued by SMA is applicable to you and explains your CCPA rights and our collection, use or disclosure of your personal information.
If you have any question regarding our privacy policy, please contact us at US_DataPrivacy@sma-america.com
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