--- title: 'Senior Legal and Internal Control Specialist at Drivemode' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-legal-and-internal-control-specialist-drivemode-tokyo-bzms7s4sgvn9' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-25' --- # Senior Legal and Internal Control Specialist at Drivemode - **Company:** Drivemode - **Location:** Tokyo, Japan - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** hybrid - **Posted:** 2026-09-24 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-25 - **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/drivemode/aecbb4a0-d9f2-42ff-8efc-76d4d3fd6c24 ## Job description Our Mission: Driving technology always feels old. Not by a little bit. We believe vehicles can be a thousand times smarter, safer, and more connected to the world around us, and our mission is to see it happen. In 2019, we joined forces with Honda as their first startup acquisition, and now we’re expanding our vision into building the future of connected vehicles for millions of people around the world. Why Drivemode: Join Drivemode for an exciting startup environment and a vibrant culture that combines impactful work, competitive compensation, and excellent benefits. By becoming a part of our team, you'll contribute to a crucial mission that revolutionizes the way people engage with vehicles, addressing both business needs and the world's environmental challenges. This presents an exceptional opportunity to be at the forefront of innovation and drive Honda's success in the automotive market. About The Role:The Senior Internal Control & Legal Administration Specialist is responsible for driving internal control and legal administration activities for a company with offices in both Japan and the U.S., while serving as a key liaison between the organization and its Japanese parent company. What you will do: 1. Internal Control & Risk Management - Participate in internal audit, risk management, and related meetings led by the parent company, and review and analyze policies, audit findings, risk cases, and other relevant materials in both Japanese and English. - Assess the applicability and relevance of information shared by the parent company to U.S. operations, identify internal control, compliance, and operational risk issues, and establish priorities. - Establish key priorities for each fiscal year and manage cross-functional projects, action items, and follow-up activities through completion. - Prepare reports and presentation materials in both Japanese and English for the Japanese parent company and U.S. management, and coordinate responses to information requests and follow-up activities. 1. Legal Administration - Manage contract signature workflows, execution status, executed agreements, and related legal documents using electronic signature and document management systems such as DocuSign. - Track contract renewal and expiration dates and other key information, and follow up with responsible stakeholders as needed. - Coordinate legal-related communications in both Japanese and English among U.S. stakeholders, the Japanese parent company, and external legal counsel as needed. 1. Records Management - Maintain and administer record retention policies and related requirements, taking into consideration parent company policies and applicable laws and regulations in both Japan and the U.S. - Work with relevant functions to establish requirements, ownership, and processes for the retention, management, and disposal of company records. - Review and update record retention policies and related processes in response to changes in laws, regulations, parent company policies, or business operations. What we are looking for: - Relevant experience in internal control, risk management, compliance, legal administration, or a related field. - Business-level proficiency in both Japanese and English, including strong business communication and document preparation skills. - Ability to work effectively with stakeholders in both Japan and the U.S. and drive cross-border initiatives. - Strong project management skills with the ability to coordinate multiple functions and drive cross-functional projects through completion. - Experience with electronic signature and document management systems such as DocuSign is preferred. - Experience working for a U.S. subsidiary of a Japanese parent company or in a multinational environment is preferre EEOC Statement: Drivemode is proud of a very diverse team with employees coming from 5 continents and 20+ countries as of today. Diversity in our workplace has played an important part in our success; we recognize each employee’s unique background, knowledge, experiences, ideas, and viewpoints, all of which are critical in developing products that have a positive impact on drivers around the world. Drivemode provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristics that make you unique. We are committed to creating an accessible and inclusive workplace and welcome candidates with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process and employment lifecycle to support individuals in performing their best work. ## About Drivemode ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Drivemode is a software and user experience division of Honda, developing connected car platforms, apps, and digital interfaces for Honda and Acura electric vehicles and motorcycles. - **Entity Type**: Private (Subsidiary of Honda Motor Co. Ltd., acquired in 2019) - **Headquarters**: Mountain View, California, USA (with additional office in Tokyo, Japan) - **Founded**: 2014 - **Founders**: Not publicly disclosed (founded by entrepreneurs from Zipcar and Tesla Motors) ## Core Business - **Primary industry/industries**: Automotive technology, connected vehicles, software-defined vehicles, electric vehicle UX - **Target customers**: B2B (Honda, Acura, automakers); B2C (Drivemode mobile app users and fleet managers) - **Mission or purpose**: To make driving smarter, safer, and more connected by combining Silicon Valley software expertise with Honda's vehicle hardware platform. ## Products & Services - **[Drivemode App]**: A consumer-facing Android app that transforms a phone into a car's central computing device, enabling voice-to-text, music overlay on navigation, Do Not Disturb mode, and travel recommendations. Designed to NHTSA safety guidelines. - **[Driver Assistance & Analytics for Fleet Managers]**: A platform offering driver behavior monitoring, analytics, and safety features for commercial fleets. - **[Connected Car Platform for Automakers]**: A bring-your-own-device (BYOD) solution that lets automakers integrate smartphone-based connectivity into vehicles without custom hardware. - **[Honda EV & Motorcycle Software]**: Since the acquisition, Drivemode develops the in-car software and user experience for Honda's electric vehicles and a modern software platform for Honda's electric motorcycles. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed (private subsidiary) - **Key Metric**: Annual Revenue ~$8M (2026 estimate) – Total Funding $11M (prior to acquisition) - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Panasonic (lead investor in Series A), Incubate Fund (seed), Honda R&D (acquirer) - **Growth Signals**: Headcount grew 34.2% YoY to 111 employees; expanding team across Mountain View and Tokyo; working on new EV launches and motorcycle software projects; global team spanning 5 continents. ## Competitive Advantages - **Direct access to Honda's vehicle hardware and manufacturing** – allows integrated software-hardware development. - **Startup autonomy within a large corporate parent** – maintains flat culture, fast decision-making, and innovation while leveraging Honda's resources. - **Deep expertise in automotive-grade mobile UX** – app designed to NHTSA guidelines, with proven consumer adoption. - **Diverse, global team** – employees from 20+ countries bring unique perspectives for a product used worldwide. ## Strategic Focus - **Software-defined vehicles** – Leading Honda's transition to software-driven mobility, especially in EVs. - **Electric vehicle UX** – Creating clean, intuitive digital experiences for Honda's next-generation electric cars and motorcycles. - **Connected services** – Expanding platform capabilities for real-time data, navigation, and personalization. - **Talent growth** – Actively hiring across engineering, product, and design roles to support upcoming launches. ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: Flat organizational structure, transparency, and openness. Employees are trusted to make decisions and given freedom to innovate. - **Diversity & Inclusion**: 20+ nationalities represented; strong commitment to DEI and equal opportunity. - **Work Model**: Hybrid (office + remote). Core office days exist, but managers determine team-specific arrangements. Roles in Mountain View and Tokyo. - **Benefits**: - Comprehensive health & life insurance - Retirement benefits (401k / 日本の年金制度) - Generous PTO (20 days in first year for Tokyo; flexible PTO in US) - Paid sick leave, holiday swap option - Education and learning stipend - Probation period of 3 months with immediate benefits enrollment - **Visa Support**: Sponsorship available for Japan office (worldwide applicants welcome); US roles require work authorization but discussions about visa sponsorship are open. - **Language**: English is primary work language; Japanese language skills not required for many roles. ## Sources 1. [Drivemode Careers Page](https://www.drivemode.com/careers) 2. [LinkedIn Company Page](https://linkedin.com/company/drivemode) 3. [Built In Profile](https://builtin.com/company/drivemode) 4. [CB Insights Profile](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/drivemode) 5. [Lever Job Board](https://jobs.lever.co/drivemode) ## Other roles at Drivemode - [Senior Technical Program Manager (Contract)](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-technical-program-manager-contract-drivemode-mountain-view-y4kkdmfqpmfe) — Mountain View, CA - [Full Stack Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/full-stack-software-engineer-drivemode-mountain-view-ev3w7ffwj7st) — Mountain View, CA - [Product Operations Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/product-operations-manager-drivemode-tokyo-xy37tpvfyasq) — Tokyo, Japan - [People Operations Partner (Contract)](https://feeny.ai/job/people-operations-partner-contract-drivemode-mountain-view-w1mbz70dhrrj) — Mountain View, CA - [IT Admin (Contract)](https://feeny.ai/job/it-admin-contract-drivemode-mountain-view-n8rvx0b7am6w) — Mountain View, CA - [Workplace Experience Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/workplace-experience-manager-drivemode-tokyo-179fkwbwwsa3) — Tokyo, Japan - [Director of Product Design](https://feeny.ai/job/director-of-product-design-drivemode-mountain-view-ew56p1f6zcy0) — Mountain View, CA - [Opportunities for Candidates with Disabilities](https://feeny.ai/job/opportunities-for-candidates-with-disabilities-drivemode-tokyo-eq5mefwxnfy1) — Tokyo, Japan - [Staff People Business Partner](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-people-business-partner-drivemode-tokyo-vta5szeb47r4) — Tokyo, Japan - [Senior Technical Program Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-technical-program-manager-drivemode-mountain-view-rg1p83aeb3h6) — Mountain View, CA