Senior Lead Counsel, Product & IP

We’re not just building better tech. We’re rewriting how data moves and what the world can do with it. With Confluent, data doesn’t sit still. Our platform puts information in motion, streaming in near real-time so companies can react faster, build smarter, and deliver experiences as dynamic as the world around them.It takes a certain kind of person to join this team. Those who ask hard questions, give honest feedback, and show up for each other. No egos, no solo acts. Just smart, curious humans pushing toward something bigger, together.One Confluent. One Team. One Data Streaming Platform.About the Role:We are seeking a business-oriented product attorney with experience advising on open source, licensing, intellectual property, and other product related matters to join our growing legal team. In this role, you will partner closely with product, engineering, and business teams to support the development and launch of innovative software solutions. To be successful in this role, you must be able to work independently, navigate complex legal and regulatory landscapes related to software and open source, and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams around the world.In the legal department, we are passionate about enabling customer success, while building a strong foundation for the future. We strive to provide thoughtful and pragmatic counsel and to minimize risks as we pursue business opportunities. We thrive by working together to solve complex challenges, supporting and learning from each other, and having fun!What You Will Do:Provide legal support throughout the product lifecycle, including development, launch, and ongoing management of SaaS offerings.Advise engineering, product management, and business teams on open source software use, licensing obligations, and intellectual property risks.Collaborate with engineering, product, and product marketing to facilitate Confluent’s engagement with the open source community, develop processes to enable compliant open source use at scale, and maintain open source policies.Conduct license compliance reviews and oversee related audits to ensure adherence to open source policies.Draft, review, and negotiate complex technology agreements, including SaaS agreements, licensing agreements, and partnership contracts.Develop and maintain internal policies, training programs, and best practices related to open source software use and SaaS compliance.Collaborate with cross-functional teams to address data privacy, cybersecurity, and other regulatory requirements related to SaaS products.Monitor evolving legal and regulatory frameworks impacting SaaS and open source, advising on potential business implications.What You Will Bring:Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school and active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.7+ years of experience as a practicing attorney, with a focus on product counseling, open source software licensing, and SaaS.Deep understanding of open source licensing models (e.g., Apache, GPL, MIT) and their implications for SaaS products.Demonstrated experience advising on product compliance and related legal risks in a SaaS environment.Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills, with the ability to address technical, business, and legal issues effectively.Familiarity with data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) and their application to SaaS products.Excellent communication skills and a collaborative mindset, with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams.Ready to build what's next? Let’s get in motion.Come As You AreBelonging isn’t a perk here. It’s the baseline. We work across time zones and backgrounds, knowing the best ideas come from different perspectives. And we make space for everyone to lead, grow, and challenge what’s possible.We’re proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. Employment decisions are based on job-related criteria, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other classification protected by law.

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