General Counsel

At Atom Computing, we build quantum computers using arrays of optically trapped neutral atoms that will empower customers to achieve unprecedented computational breakthroughs. Join a world-class team of scientists, engineers, and business professionals to advance the state-of-the-art in quantum computing. The General Counsel will serve as Atom Computing's first in-house legal hire providing strategic and hands-on legal leadership across the company. Reporting to the CEO and serving as a key member of the executive leadership team, this role will build Atom Computing's legal function from the ground up advising directly on corporate governance, fundraising, intellectual property, commercial contracts, and regulatory compliance, while establishing the systems, outside counsel relationships, and governance foundations needed to operate as a public company. This role requires working onsite at our Boulder office five days per week.

Job Responsibilities

Define and execute legal, compliance, and IP strategy in line with company growth and commercial targets.

Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO and leadership team on legal risk, corporate structure, and major business decisions.

Lead legal structuring and execution of corporate transactions, including venture capital fundraising, debt financing, and potential M&A activities.

Partner with the CEO and CFO to develop processes and controls to prepare a potential future public listing.

Advise the Board and its committees on public company governance practices, including committee structure and charters, board independence, insider trading and Regulation FD policies, and Section 16 compliance.

Direct intellectual property strategy in partnership with outside patent counsel, ensuring aggressive protection of Atom Computing's hardware and software innovations.

Oversee legal compliance across regulatory domains relevant to deep-tech hardware, including export control (e.g., ITAR/EAR) and data security.

Draft, negotiate, and manage commercial, vendor, partnership agreements and NDAs.

Advise on employment law matters in partnership with HR.

Represent the legal function to the executive team, Board of Directors, and external stakeholders, including investors, auditors, and regulators.

Experience and Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and active membership in good standing with at least one state bar (Colorado preferred).

10+ years of legal experience, including significant tenure as in-house counsel at a high-growth technology or hardware startup.

Required Qualifications

Demonstrated experience operating as a company's first or founding in-house counsel, or otherwise building a legal function from the ground up.

Direct, hands-on experience with venture capital fundraising and corporate transactions in a startup environment.

Direct, hands-on experience managing IP strategy and outside patent counsel for a hardware or deep-tech company.

Working knowledge of export control regulations (e.g., ITAR/EAR) and other regulatory regimes relevant to sensitive or dual-use technology.

Comfort operating as a legal generalist and sole in-house counsel, balancing strategic advisory work with hands-on execution across corporate, commercial, IP, and compliance matters.

Excellent executive-level verbal and written communication skills.

Ability to set long-term legal and organizational goals and translate them into actionable plans as the function scales

Desired Qualifications

Direct experience taking a company public and/or serving as in-house counsel at a public company with responsibility for SEC reporting, proxy statements, and Board and committee support.

Direct experience in quantum computing, semiconductors, aerospace/defense, or another dual-use/deep-tech hardware industry.

Experience navigating CFIUS, export control, or other national-security-adjacent regulatory matters.

Atom Computing provides a wide variety of perks and benefits, including fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for our employees and their dependents. Additionally, unlimited paid time off, 401K company matching, short- and long-term disability, FSA, dependent care benefits, and life insurance. We also offer drinks, snacks, and catered team lunches in our offices, every day! The base salary range for this position is between $250,000 - $350,000, commensurate with experience. In addition to salary, we offer an annual bonus and equity in the company.