Senior Counsel, Privacy, Cybersecurity, and AI Governance

Here at Scout Motors, we're carrying forward the heritage of one of the most iconic American vehicles in history. A vehicle dating back to 1960. One that forged the path for future generations of rugged SUVs and trucks and will do so once again.

But Scout is more than just a brand, it’s a legacy steeped in a culture of exploration, caretaking, and hard work.

The Scout brand is all about respect. Respect for the past and the future by taking an iconic American brand that hasn’t been around for a while, electrifying it, digitizing it, and loading it with American innovation. Respect for communities by creating a company that stands for its people and its customers. Respect for both work and play, with vehicles that are equally at home at a camp site, a job site, or on a Tuesday commute. And respect for our customers by developing two powertrains that meet their requirements — an all-electric powertrain as well as the Harvester™ range extender powertrain which includes a built-in gas-powered generator with an estimated 500 miles of combined range.

At Scout Motors, we empower our talented, inclusive, and entrepreneurial teams to innovate. What makes a Scout employee? Someone who is a visionary and a leader, who seeks new paths and shares lessons learned. A knowledgeable doer who collaborates across the company to build better. A go-getter with unrivaled passion.

Join us at Scout Motors and be part of shaping the future of transportation. If you're ready to drive change and make history, apply now!

Position Summary 

We are seeking a highly skilled and business-oriented attorney to help lead the development and implementation of our global privacy, cybersecurity, and AI governance programs. This role will serve as a key strategic partner to our Information Security, Commercial Operations and Engineering teams, helping to build scalable legal frameworks that support innovation in connected and data-driven vehicle technologies.  This role will further act as the overall Legal team lead in the enterprise-wide effort to increase utilization of AI across the company in a strategic, safe and compliant manner. 

The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in data protection, product cybersecurity, and emerging AI regulation, with experience building programs from the ground up in a fast-paced environment.

What you’ll do

Become part of an iconic brand that is set to revolutionize the electric pick-up truck & rugged SUV marketplace by achieving the following:

Privacy 

• Help design and implement a comprehensive global data privacy program, including governance structures, policies, and procedures. 
• Advise on compliance with applicable laws and regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, U.S. state privacy laws, global data transfer regimes). 
• Advise on and partner with the Commercial and IT teams to build a best-in-class consumer privacy regime for Scout Motors’ direct-to-consumer business 
• Advise on data protection terms in agreements including license, vendor, SaaS, technology, master services, confidentiality and other agreements. 
• Draft privacy policies, notices, related disclosures, disclaimers, FAQs and communications to support and enable internal business team compliance. 
• Act as the primary legal owner of data privacy obligations arising from connected vehicle operations, including telematics, over-the-air updates, and backend data processing. 
• Assist security and R&D teams in establishing mature privacy-by-design and privacy-by-default frameworks integrated into product development lifecycle. 
• Support incident response for privacy-related matters, including regulatory engagement. 

Cybersecurity 

• Help build and maintain the legal framework supporting a robust cybersecurity management program aligned with industry standards (e.g., ISO/SAE 21434, NIST, UNECE WP.29 regulations). 
• Advise engineering and product teams on vehicle cybersecurity requirements, including secure software development, vulnerability management, and over-the-air (OTA) updates. 
• Support compliance with automotive regulatory regimes governing cybersecurity and software updates by translating evolving automotive cybersecurity legislation into actionable internal requirements, building the contractual frameworks that protect the organization throughout the supply chain, and helping to manage data privacy obligations across the vehicle and connected services. 
• Collaborate with IT, security, and engineering teams on risk assessments, audits, and mitigation strategies. 
• Provide legal support for cybersecurity incidents, including investigation, reporting, and remediation obligations. 

AI Governance 

• Partner with Information Security to design and implement an AI governance program, including policies, vendor and use case reviews and risk assessments, enterprise-wide communications and training, documentation, and audit readiness.   
• Advise on compliance with emerging AI regulations (e.g., EU AI Act, U.S. frameworks, global standards) and evolving industry best practices. 
• Help establish responsible AI principles, including fairness, explainability, transparency, and accountability. 
• Serve as lead and champion for developing internal AI use cases to improve efficiencies within the Legal team. 

Reporting Structure 

• Reports directly to the VP, Chief Intellectual Property Counsel 
• Acts as a key advisor to senior leadership across legal, engineering, and product teams 
• Opportunity to build critical governance frameworks from the ground up

Location & Travel Expectations:

• This role may be based out of the Scout Motors corporate headquarters in Charlotte, NC. 
• This role requires 4-5 days per week in the office, with regular in-person meetings and events. 
• Applicants should expect that the role will require the ability to convene with Scout colleagues in person and travel to participate in events on behalf of the company from time to time.

What you’ll bring 

We expect all Scout employees to have integrity, curiosity, resourcefulness, and strive to exhibit a positive attitude, as well as a growth mindset. You’ll be comfortable with change and flexible in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. You’ll take a collaborative approach to achieve ambitious goals. Here's what else you'll bring: 

Required 

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active bar membership. 
• 12–15 years of relevant experience in AI, privacy, cybersecurity, and/or technology law (mix of law firm and in-house preferred). 
• Demonstrated experience building or scaling AI, privacy and/or cybersecurity programs. 
• Strong knowledge of global data protection laws, cybersecurity regulatory frameworks, and emerging AI regulations. 
• Experience advising on product counseling in a technology-driven environment. 

Preferred 

• Experience in automotive, mobility, IoT, or connected device industries. 
• Familiarity with vehicle cybersecurity standards (ISO/SAE 21434, UNECE WP.29). 
• Experience with AI/ML governance frameworks and emerging regulation. 
• Certifications such as CIPP, CIPM, CISSP, or similar. 
• Comfort operating in a startup or high-growth environment with ambiguity. 

Key Competencies 

• Strategic thinker with the ability to build programs from inception. 
• Practical, solutions-oriented legal advisor with strong business judgment. 
• Ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into actionable guidance. 
• Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills. 
• High degree of adaptability, ownership, and initiative. 

What you'll gain

The benefits of joining Scout include the chance to build products and a company from the ground up.  This is a chance to create something new and lasting – with an iconic brand at its foundation.  In addition, Scout provides competitive compensation and benefits to support your physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. Program specifics are detailed in company policies and employee benefit guides, select highlights:

• Competitive insurance including:
  • Medical, dental, vision and income protection plans
• 401(k) program with:
  • An employer match and immediate vesting
• Generous Paid Time Off including:
  • 20 days planned PTO, as accrued
  • 40 hours of unplanned PTO and 14 company or floating holidays, annually
  • Up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave for biological and adoptive parents of all genders
  • Paid leave for circumstances related to bereavement, jury duty, voting time, or military leave

Pay Transparency

This is a full-time, exempt position eligible to receive a base salary and to participate in an annual performance bonus program. Final salary offered will be determined based on factors including but not limited to the candidate's skills and experience. The annual performance bonus program is preset and not candidate dependent.

Initial base salary range = $170,000.00 - $206,250.00

Internal leveling code: IC7

Notice to applicants:

• To be considered for career opportunities at Scout Motors, applicants must be 18 years of age or older. 
• Residing in San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Scout Motors will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. 
• Residing in Los Angeles: Scout Motors will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. 
• Residing in New York City: This role is not eligible for remote work in New York City.

Equal Opportunity

Scout Motors is committed to employing a diverse workforce and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, disability, pregnancy, or any other characteristics protected by law. Scout Motors is committed to compliance with all applicable fair employment practice laws. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, or a job interview or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact ScoutAccommodations@scoutmotors.com.