Legal Director, Hardware Engineering, Procurement, Software Development Engineering and R&D

Legal Director, Hardware Engineering, Procurement, Software Development Engineering and R&D
San Mateo, CA (US) or Shinagawa, Tokyo (Japan) | Hybrid - 2 days per week in designated office

Role Summary:

As Legal Director, Hardware Engineering, Procurement, Software Development Engineering and R&D, you will lead a team responsible for providing comprehensive legal guidance to key business divisions, including product design and development, component procurement, software engineering, and research and development.

While this position primarily supports business units in Japan, it will also require close collaboration and alignment with legal and business teams across other regions.

We are seeking a proactive, solution-oriented leader who can build an influential legal function deeply integrated with the business, adapt to evolving needs, and foster a high-performing, collaborative team culture. In addition to providing hands-on legal support as an individual contributor, this position will also take on managerial responsibilities for its own team and expected to act as the leader of the broader Japan Legal, Public Policy and ESG Department.

What You'll Be Doing:

Provide legal support for the following business areas in Japan, including contract drafting, review, negotiation (both in English and Japanese), legal risk assessment, and strategic legal advice:

• Hardware design and development teams, including semiconductor and key component development for PlayStation consoles and peripherals
   – Procurement and purchasing departments
   – Software development teams
   – R&D organizations
   – Information security and IT-related functions
• Partner with other regional legal teams to assess and address geopolitical and regulatory risks
• Provide legal counsel and decision-making support to senior management and engineering leaders
• Lead, mentor, and develop legal team members, including performance management and organizational development
• Collaborate with business leaders to align legal strategies with business goals and enable innovation

What We're Looking For: 

• At least 15 years of corporate legal experience, including in-house counsel experience at a global company
• Extensive experience in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts in both Japanese and English, including direct negotiation with major international companies
• Proven experience providing legal risk analysis and decision-making support for products, services, and business initiatives
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional projects in a global environment

Additional Experience That Would Be Valuable:

• Legal experience in the technology industry
• Licensed attorney in Japan or another jurisdiction
• Overseas work or study experience
• Experience managing or mentoring multinational teams

Leadership Qualities That Will Set You Apart:

• Able to simplify complex challenges and processes while exercising strong influence across the organization
• Strategic thinker with the ability to deliver cross-regional and cross-functional solutions in a global business environment
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, capable of building trusted relationships with senior executives and diverse stakeholders
• Combines legal judgment with practical business acumen, analytical skills, leadership, and people management capability
• Demonstrates sound, transparent decision-making in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
• Committed to developing team talent, fostering knowledge sharing, and building a culture of continuous learning
• Passionate about the PlayStation brand, technology, and the entertainment industry

Language Requirements:

• English: Business level or higher (able to lead contract negotiations, executive discussions, and global meetings)
• Japanese: Native or equivalent proficiency (JLPT N1 or higher)

About the Team:

This position is part of the Japan Legal Team within Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), which drives the PlayStation business across hardware, software, content, and network services as part of the Sony Group. SIE’s global Legal organization consists of approximately 180 members, with about 35 based in Tokyo. The Tokyo Legal Team works in close collaboration with colleagues across regions and business units, leveraging diverse expertise to advance SIE’s global legal strategy.This position is part of the broader SIE Legal, Public Policy & ESG Department supporting PlayStation’s global business operations.