Senior Legal Counsel (Regulatory and Data (Hybrid) at JetBrains

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Job Description

You’re a privacy expert who knows how to navigate global regulations without slowing down innovation. You thrive on translating dense legal frameworks into practical guidance for technical teams. If you want to build scalable data protection strategies that actually make sense, this is for you.

About JetBrains

We create intelligent software development tools for developers and teams. More than 15 million users, over 300,000 companies, and 88 of the Fortune Global Top 100 rely on our products to solve real, complex problems. Our mission is simple: make development teams more productive and AI adoptable at scale.

What you’ll do

As data privacy and AI regulations rapidly evolve, ensuring our tools and operations remain compliant is more critical than ever. In this role, you’ll take ownership of our privacy-by-design initiatives, shaping how we handle data across our international operations. You will influence how product features are built and how cross-border data transfers are structured, ensuring we meet regulatory standards without adding unnecessary friction. Working closely with engineering, AI, security, and HR teams, you’ll turn legal requirements into actionable advice. As Senior Legal Counsel on our Regulatory and Data Privacy team, you’ll be instrumental in modernizing our compliance frameworks and finding ways to use automation to make our legal processes smarter and more predictable.

Day to day, you will:

Advise cross-functional groups (including AI, security, HR, and engineering) on data privacy and regulatory compliance.
Evaluate product features, global data governance, and cross-border transfer mechanisms (like DPAs and SCCs) for privacy-by-design compliance.
Draft, review, and maintain internal and external data protection agreements, privacy policies, and terms of service.
Map our data flows and technical operations to ensure they fit within a coherent global regulatory framework.
Research international regulatory shifts and prepare clear, structured legal memos and comparative analyses.
Build and improve legal templates, guidance, DSAR processes, and knowledge databases.
Spot and assess legal risks related to new technology laws, technical product design, and data processing.
Drive process improvements within the team to boost efficiency, incorporating AI and automation tools where appropriate.

What you’ll bring

A high degree of adaptability when dealing with novel technical concepts and evolving foreign laws.
The ability to translate complex legal jargon into clear, practical advice that engineers and product teams can easily use.
A lateral, creative approach to problem-solving, backed by thorough research and critical thinking.
A proactive mindset and the ability to navigate complex environments and independently manage competing priorities.
A strong interest in optimizing processes and exploring how automation can improve legal workflows.
Transparency, honesty, and a collaborative approach to working within a global team.

What you’ll need

At least 8 years of post-qualification legal experience focused primarily on data privacy, technology law, or digital regulatory compliance, including substantial experience as in-house counsel advising on privacy and data protection matters within an international technology company.
A proven track record of successfully implementing EU data protection regulations (GDPR, ePrivacy) into company processes.
A completed university-level degree in law.
Professional fluency in written and spoken English.
The ability to draft clear, legally sound privacy policies, terms of service, and regulatory risk assessments.

What success looks like

Success in this role means earning the trust of product and engineering teams by giving them clear, actionable legal guidance that helps them move forward. You will have successfully streamlined our data privacy compliance processes, leaving systems better and more automated than you found them. Ultimately, you’ll ensure that JetBrains continues to innovate rapidly while maintaining a robust, compliant, and globally scalable data governance framework.

Why join JetBrains?

Strong base salary. We offer competitive pay that reflects your skills and experience.
Flexible work location. Enjoy the freedom to work from home or from the office.
Remote work. Spend up to 30 days per year working remotely from abroad.
Extra time off. More days to relax, recharge, and do the things you love.
Medical insurance allowance. Enjoy peace of mind for you and your family
Learning and development opportunities. Access to conferences, courses, and language classes.
Language classes. Pick up the local language or sharpen your English skills.
Fuel your day. Enjoy a hot meal or receive a lunch allowance on workdays.
Mental health support. To help you feel your best, we provide easy access to professional mental health services.
Sports benefit. Enjoy an on-site gym or sports club stipend.
Internal events. Join company-wide celebrations and team gatherings.

*Some benefits may vary depending on location.

If this sounds like you, we invite you to apply.

#LI-TA2

We are an equal opportunity employer

We know great ideas can come from anyone, anywhere. That’s why we do our best to create an open and inclusive workplace – one that welcomes everyone regardless of their background, identity, religion, age, accessibility needs, or orientation.

We process the data provided in your job application in accordance with the Recruitment Privacy Policy.

Benefits & Perks

Health & Wellness

Health Insurance

JetBrains provides a medical insurance allowance covering employees and their families, with coverage details varying by location.

Dental Insurance

Dental coverage is included as part of JetBrains' health benefits package.

Vision Insurance

Vision coverage is offered to employees as part of the JetBrains benefits package.

Mental Health Benefits

JetBrains provides easy access to professional mental health services to support employee wellbeing.

Fitness Stipend

JetBrains offers a sports benefit that provides access to an on-site gym or a sports club stipend depending on location.

Financial

401(k) / Retirement Plan

Retirement savings plan available to JetBrains employees in the US; equivalent country-specific plans apply in other regions.

Performance Bonus

JetBrains rewards top performers with recognition and additional compensation tied to performance.

Relocation Assistance

JetBrains provides relocation support to make moving for a new role as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Commuter Benefits

Time Off

PTO / Vacation

JetBrains offers generous paid time off, including extra time off days beyond standard vacation.

Sick Days

Paid sick leave is available for employees who need time off for illness or medical appointments.

Paid Holidays

JetBrains observes paid holidays based on each employee's local country and office.

Flexible Schedule

JetBrains operates a hybrid model with flexible working hours, allowing employees to work from the office, from home, or abroad.

Remote & Equipment

WFA Allowance (Days/Year)

JetBrains employees can work remotely from anywhere in the world for up to 30 days per year.

Meal Stipend

JetBrains provides a hot meal at the office or a lunch allowance on workdays, depending on location.

Company Equipment

JetBrains provides employees with a custom work station tailored to their setup needs.

Family & Care

Caregiver Policy

Employees in Germany receive up to 10 days of fully paid carer's leave per year.

Parental Leave

Leave is offered to both mothers and fathers after the birth of a child.

Professional Growth

Learning & Development Budget

JetBrains funds access to conferences, courses, and language classes, plus customized development tracks for career growth.

Conference Attendance

JetBrains funds attendance at industry conferences as part of its broader learning and development offerings.

Defined Career Pathways

JetBrains provides customized development tracks that let employees shape personalized career growth paths.

Culture & Perks

Free Snacks & Drinks

JetBrains offices provide complimentary snacks and beverages to in-office employees.

Team Events & Social Budget

JetBrains hosts company-wide celebrations and team gatherings as part of its internal events program.

Employee Resource Groups

Employee resource groups include LGBTQIA+, Neurodivergent, Cultural Connect, Parents, Women's Empowerment, Mental Health, and Remote Employees groups.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I be based to work at JetBrains?

JetBrains runs a Flexible Hybrid model, so most roles are tied to one of its 15 offices across Europe (including Amsterdam, Prague, Munich, Berlin, Belgrade, Warsaw, Madrid, London, and Cyprus), the Americas (Foster City, Marlton, and Waltham), and Shanghai. Even roles posted as remote are usually locked to a specific country, so check the location listed on a job before applying.

Do I need to be a developer to work at JetBrains?

No. JetBrains hires across engineering, design, UX research, marketing, sales, and operations, and its careers page is explicit that you do not have to write code to be a match. Every hire, technical or not, is asked to complete a test assignment, which is how the team sees the actual skills a role needs in action.

What benefits does JetBrains offer?

Alongside hybrid flexibility and up to 30 days a year working abroad, JetBrains provides in-office meals, snacks, and drinks, a gym subsidy, a learning and development budget for conferences, books, and courses, and a top-spec equipment setup. Health, dental, vision, mental-health support, pension, and parental leave are included, though the exact coverage depends on the country you are based in.

What is the interview process like at JetBrains?

It runs in stages: an application with a CV and short cover letter, an application review, a recruiter call, and a team interview. You are then given a test assignment, for any role and not just engineering, which can usually be done from home. Potential teammates review it, followed by a final interview and a reference check with three contacts before a decision is made.

Who is JetBrains a good fit for?

JetBrains looks for people who raise the standard around them, care about why the work matters, and are comfortable owning decisions without close supervision. Having stayed private and profitable for more than two decades, the company builds without short-term external pressure, so it suits people who want the space to take their time and get things right rather than chase quarterly targets.