Lead Counsel, Chainguard
$220-240k
+ RSU's
Software supply chain security
Job no longer available
Software supply chain security
501-1000 employees
Job no longer available
$220-240k
+ RSU's
501-1000 employees
Company mission
To make the software supply chain secure by default.
Role
Who you are
- Product & Privacy Wizardry: You’ve owned in-house product/privacy counsel work (bonus points for SaaS or security backgrounds) and have the battle scars to show for it
- Open Source Sensei: At least 5 years guiding open source questions, with the uncanny ability to make even the knottiest licensing requirement make sense (or at least actionable)
- Regulations? Bring ’Em On: You master privacy, data protection, and AI compliance across the product lifecycle—and you’re never outpaced (or out-geeked) by regulatory change
- Risk Tamer: Complicated business conundrum? You make risk clear, build trust, and stay pragmatic—even when the popcorn’s burning
- Self-Starter Vibes: Thrive in chaos, ambiguity, and shifting priorities? You’ll love how fast—and far—you can run here
- Team Over Ego: Listen first, communicate clearly, and always help raise the bar (no pun intended)
- Legal Credentials: In good standing with a U.S. state bar
What the job involves
- Be the Embedded Legal Sidekick: Go deep with Product, Engineering, Security, and Marketing teams and become their go-to for crisp, business-friendly advice. If you can translate legalese into actionable game plans (without boring anyone to tears), you’ll fit right in
- Open Source & Licensing Guru: Advise on every “Is this license going to bite us later?" question. You’ll help us play smart with open-source while keeping legal and security landmines at bay
- Put Privacy First (and Second and Third): Take the wheel on all things privacy and data protection—building globally savvy policies, keeping our Privacy Program sharp, and spotting privacy risks in shiny new product features before regulators can even find their binoculars
- Incident Response, But Make it Calm: When things go sideways, grab the flashlight and lead the way—investigating, advising, communicating, and helping Chainguard learn ~fast~ so we end up even better
- Connect the Dots: Orchestrate audits, certifications, compliance projects, and more—all while making Legal the enabler (not the gatekeeper) across GRC, Procurement, Sales, Security, and beyond
- Crush Contract & AI Conundrums: Be the subject matter go-to for privacy and AI terms for every deal that matters (with customers, vendors, and wildcards in between). You’ll be the person who makes complicated risks sound crystal-clear and manageable, even if everyone else isn’t sure what “AI hallucinations” are (yet)
Our take
Developers rely on open source code and apps in their day to day work, but when the provenance of the code is unknown this creates potential weaknesses that cybercriminals can exploit. Chainguard exists to build security into the coding supply chain by making it possible for companies to enforce security policies based on auditable signatures baked into the code.
In the wake of huge cyber attacks, software supply chain security has been an area of major focus. However, most of this has surrounded the scanning and detection of threats. Chainguard's approach comes from the other end of the process, focusing on building security into the software itself.
Built by former engineers who are aware of developer workloads, Chainguard is designed to be easily installed and integrated into existing automation systems. The company has secured substantial funding, the latest of which will support more aggressive product and R&D spending as it looks to further boost sales.
Kirsty
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
55% employee growth in 12 months
Company
Funding (last 2 of 6 rounds)
Oct 2025
$280m
GROWTH EQUITY VC
Apr 2025
$356m
SERIES D
Total funding: $892m
Company benefits
- Equity/stock options
- Unlimited PTO
- Remote work with flexible coworking and team meetup opportunities
- Home office and internet stipend
- 100% health/dental/vision insurance coverage for you and your family
Company HQ
Everest, Kirkland, WA
Leadership
Dan Lorenc
(CEO & Co-Founder)Before co-founding Chainguard was a Software Engineer at Google, Disqus and Microsoft.
Kim Lewandowski
(CSO & Co-Founder)Prior to co-founding Chainguard was a Product Manager with Google. Before that was the Head of Product & Engineering at Brit + Co and the founder of Spotwag.
Matthew Moore
(CTO & Co-Founder)Was a Software Engineer at VMware, Google and Microsoft.
Ville Aikas
(Distinguished Engineer & Co-founder)Was a Senior Staff Engineer at VMware and a Software Engineer for Google and the University of Washingtom. Was previously Owner at VA Systems.
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