Commercial Counsel, Networking & Datacenter Operations
As Commercial Counsel for Networking & Datacenter Operations at Anthropic, you will lead the legal execution for the infrastructure that supports Anthropic's AI systems. This role encompasses managing agreements related to dark fiber, IP transit, subsea-cable capacity, network equipment procurement, and the operations and maintenance of datacenter facilities. You will collaborate closely with teams across Anthropic, including Datacenter Legal, Strategic Technology & Procurement, Infrastructure Security, Treasury/Risk, and Public Policy, as well as specialized outside counsel, to ensure that all legal work aligns with Anthropic's commercial objectives and integrates seamlessly with the company's compute and availability strategy.
Your primary responsibilities will include negotiating and managing contracts for dark fiber and IRU agreements, IP transit and peering arrangements, subsea-cable capacity, and network equipment procurement. Additionally, you will oversee operations and maintenance contracts, facilities management agreements, and ensure the resilience and continuous operation of production sites. You will also support telecom regulatory compliance, including FCC authorizations and submarine-cable landing licenses, and coordinate with Infrastructure Security Legal on national-security aspects of subsea capacity and landing-party participation.
The ideal candidate will possess a JD and active membership in at least one U.S. state bar, with substantial experience in negotiating and managing contracts related to networking and datacenter operations. A strong understanding of availability and SLA constructs, route diversity, and how network and operations terms interact with colocation leases and financing arrangements is essential. Experience with high-volume, template-driven vendor contracting and familiarity with telecom regulatory concepts are also important. Effective coordination with specialized outside counsel and strong judgment in assessing operational risks are key to success in this role.
Anthropic offers a competitive compensation package, including a base salary ranging from $265,000 to $320,000 USD, along with equity, benefits, and potential incentive compensation. The company provides generous vacation and parental leave, flexible working hours, and a collaborative office environment in San Francisco, New York City, Seattle, or Washington, DC. Anthropic also supports visa sponsorship for qualifying candidates and retains an immigration lawyer to assist with the process.
Joining Anthropic means becoming part of a mission-driven team dedicated to creating reliable and beneficial AI systems. The company values collaboration, impact-driven work, and views AI research as an empirical science. Employees have the opportunity to work on large-scale research efforts and contribute to the development of trustworthy AI. Anthropic fosters a culture of inclusivity and encourages applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds, emphasizing the importance of representation in AI development.