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Senior Counsel

United States - Remote

Chainguard is the secure foundation for software development and deployment. By providing guarded open source software, built from source and updated continuously, Chainguard helps organizations eliminate threats in their software supply chains.

Founded by the industry's leading experts on open source software, security and cloud native development, Chainguard has built the largest library of open source software that is secure by default. 

Chainguard’s mission is to be the safe source for open source.

The role, in a nutshell:

We are looking for an experienced and business-oriented Senior Counsel to support our growing inbound, procurement and sourcing business needs. In addition to a strong commercial background, this role requires a solid understanding of open source licensing and compliance to ensure that our company operates in accordance with industry best practices. We are looking for someone who wants to work at an early-stage company, and is excited by the opportunity to truly roll up their sleeves. This position will report to the Head of Commercial, Lead Counsel.

What you’ll do:

  • Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of procurement-related agreements (e.g., MSAs, SOWs, SaaS agreements, supply agreements, NDAs, sponsorships), and ensure that all commercial agreements adequately protect the company’s interests, improve processes, and increase scalability. 
  • Ensure contracts align with open source licensing requirements and compliance with applicable laws, including data privacy, anti-bribery, and export control regulations.
  • Manage agreements and business activities to comply with company policies and risk tolerance.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure that legal and business objectives are aligned and met.
  • Advise internal clients on legal risks, mitigation strategies, and compliance obligations related to vendor engagements
  • Develop and maintain procurement contract templates, playbooks, and training programs. 

What we're looking for:

  • Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school and active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.
  • 5+  years of commercial legal experience, ideally with a blend of law firm and in-house experience.
  • Strong experience in drafting, negotiation, and managing professional services agreements, software as a service agreements, and business agreements
  • Experience working with technology companies, especially in the cybersecurity sectors is a plus.
  • Ability to manage several simultaneous projects under deadline pressure.
  • Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills with a strong attention to detail.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
  • Knowledge of industry-specific regulations and best practices is a plus.

Base Salary Range

$175,000 - $210,000 USD

About Us

We live and breathe our company values:

We are customer obsessed - We focus on delivering solutions to our customers that create value and make their lives better.

We have a bias for intentional action - We prioritize, plan, try things, and fail fast.

We don’t take ourselves too seriously (but we do serious work) - We are solving an important problem which takes focus, but we also like to enjoy the journey.

We trust each other and assume good intentions - We’re transparent with decisions to empower team members to make well informed decisions.

A few of the benefits we offer:

  • Flexible & Remote-First Culture: Work remotely with team meetup opportunities, bi-annual destination summits, and a $400 monthly stipend for coworking spaces, phone and internet costs. 
  • Our Approach to Equity:  Receive stock options upon hire and promotion. Plus, you can participate in secondary offerings and have 10 years to exercise your options (yes, you read that correctly: 10 years!). 
  • 100%  Covered Health Insurance: We cover 100% of your health, vision and dental insurance premiums for you and your dependents. Nothing comes out of your paycheck. 
  • ∞ Flexible Time Off: Take the time you need – to do our best work, we need to recharge and reset. 
  • 18 Weeks Paid Parental Leave: We offer 18 weeks for birthing parents and 12 weeks for non-birthing parents, with the option to use it all at once or throughout your child's first year.
  • For a full list of our benefits and rewards, click here.

If your experience is close but doesn’t fulfill all requirements, please apply. We’re building the best team in technology and are focused on hiring “Chainguardians'' with unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.

Chainguard is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law.

By submitting your application, you acknowledge that Chainguard will process your personal data in accordance with Chainguard’s Privacy Policy.

©2025 Chainguard. All Rights Reserved.

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