Legal Counsel

About Echelon

Echelon is a Saudi technology company focused on integrating global AI technologies within the Kingdom. The company deploys these technologies through its engineering organization, develops proprietary IP from partner technologies, and productizes Saudi-developed capabilities over time. Echelon engages in continuous contracting with technology partners through structural, program, and referral agreements, MOUs, and term sheets with defense and energy technology companies. The company also handles customer Scopes of Work delivered by Frontier and operates a share plan for all employees.

The Opportunity: Legal Counsel

Echelon is seeking a Legal Counsel to join its team in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This is a full-time position suitable for a qualified lawyer early in their career, with 0-1 years of experience. The role offers the opportunity to be the primary legal counsel, shaping the legal function as it expands in the coming year. The successful candidate will manage the day-to-day legal operations of the group, working closely with the General Counsel and external counsel on specific matters. The quality of legal work is paramount, as the Managing Director is the sole signatory under the Delegation of Authority.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage partner and commercial contracting, including NDAs, MOUs, term sheets, referral and revenue-share agreements, and Scopes of Work, from initial draft to signature. This includes upholding Echelon’s positions on exclusivity, margin protection, and Frontier’s first right of refusal.
• Develop and maintain recurring legal instruments, such as partner referral agreements and employment contracts, to standardize documentation.
• Oversee corporate housekeeping, ensuring resolutions, registers, the shareholders’ agreement, and share plan documentation remain current for both the holding company and the Saudi operating company, in coordination with the GNRC.
• Address employment and regulatory matters, covering contracts, policies, and compliance with Saudi labor law in collaboration with the People function. This also includes managing the regulatory perimeter concerning data, licensing, and clearance-bound activities.
• Protect intellectual property, including engineering IP at the group level, partner IP boundaries in deployments, and Echelon-developed capabilities as they are productized.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Qualified lawyer with 0-1 years of experience.
• Experience practicing law in Saudi Arabia or substantial exposure to Saudi legal practices in technology, commercial, or corporate law.
• Fluent legal drafting skills in English are essential; proficiency in Arabic is a strong advantage.
• Ability to read quickly, draft clearly, and identify uncertainties rather than inventing positions.
• Demonstrated curiosity to understand the underlying deal, value, partner objectives, and technology before legal documentation.
• Strong learning agility to quickly produce workable drafts for unfamiliar instruments.
• High degree of ownership and ability to manage files from first draft to signature, ensuring timely completion of tasks and maintenance of corporate records.
• Sound judgment, with a pragmatic approach to commercial points and firmness on critical matters. Ability to escalate appropriately and provide concise explanations.

Work Environment and Values

The Legal Counsel will report directly to the General Counsel. Echelon values a customer-first approach, where work is measured by customer outcomes. An ownership mentality is crucial, with individuals taking responsibility for end-to-end outcomes. Clear communication is expected, simplifying complex information for diverse audiences. Candidates should be comfortable with ambiguity, making progress with incomplete information and solving problems without existing structures. A long-term builder mindset is valued, investing in Echelon’s success and integrating learnings into strategy and operations.