Senior Legal Counsel

Upsun is the cloud application platform humans and robots love. It is built for today’s hybrid teams, where AI agents write and test code and humans focus on solving the problems that really matter. Developers, DevOps engineers, and platform teams use Upsun to build, ship, and scale confidently without wrestling with backend infrastructure. We give you your time back. You get:

• Predictable performance, even at scale
• Secure, compliant environments by default 
• Real-time observability and profiling built in
• Cloning, configuration, and provisioning in seconds 
• AI-ready features that plug directly into your stack

The name says it all. "Up" means uptime, reliability, and acceleration. "Sun" reflects our follow-the-sun-support, a 24x7, globally distributed support team keeping the lights on while you rest. Our core belief is that software should power brighter solutions and greater innovation.

Upsunners are a remote, global workforce, and we thrive in a multicultural team. We are committed to open source and an open, welcoming environment. Our team spans the globe and the experience spectrum.

What's our commonality, our cultural fabric? A curious spirit and a thirst for knowledge; an eagerness for innovative ideas and cultures. We believe we can build anything together in an environment that frees you to do your best work.

Our values: 

🌿 We make a positive impact.

✨ We aim for the stars.

💚 We care for each other. 

As a Senior Legal Counsel, you will serve as a practical, collaborative partner working directly with our Product, Engineering, and Sales teams. You will help build legal compliance into the core architecture of our platform, navigate emerging AI frameworks, and unblock complex commercial deals. Whether you are focusing on data privacy, open-source compliance, or cloud infrastructure contracts, your goal is to translate complex regulations into clear, actionable business paths. Your work will be to apply valuable legal expertise to the technical reality of how modern cloud applications are built.

This role reports to the General Counsel. 

• Embed compliance into the product lifecycle: Partner directly with Product and Engineering to review platform features, draft fit-for-purpose terms, and align legal guardrails with active business goals.

• Manage infrastructure and vendor risk: Review and negotiate complex upstream infrastructure contracts (IaaS), reseller agreements, and AWS/Azure/GCP Marketplace agreements to safeguard platform integrity.

• Govern AI and emerging tech: Formulate clear legal frameworks for features utilizing AI/ML models, focusing directly on training data provenance, output liabilities, and proactive compliance with the EU AI Act.

• Integrate data privacy and security: Collaborate closely with our DPO, Security, and Compliance teams to map data flows and embed global privacy frameworks directly into the cloud architecture.

• Accelerate go-to-market and commercial growth: Update customer-facing terms (ToS, SLAs, AUP) and act as a trusted advisor to global sales teams during negotiations for complex, bespoke enterprise contracts.

• Legal qualification: A Juris Doctor (JD, LLB, or equivalent) with active qualification to practice law in your jurisdiction.

• Tech sector experience: 5 to 10+ years of post-qualification experience within a law firm or in-house legal department, specifically supporting SaaS, cloud infrastructure, or developer-facing platforms.

• Technical familiarity: You do not need to write code, but you understand how modern cloud applications work. You are comfortable learning or discussing concepts like APIs, containerization, pull requests, and multi-tenant databases.

• Language proficiency: Highly proficient in both spoken and written English and French.

• Practical execution: A track record of writing clear, balanced legal terms and a professional approach that values clarity over complex legal language.

• A technical background, such as a degree or prior professional experience in Computer Science or Software Engineering.

• Specific prior in-house experience working within IaaS or PaaS architectures.

At Upsun, remote work isn't just a trend - it's our foundation. The freedom of remote work with the support of a diverse, global team has been our successful model for over a decade. Our culture celebrates flexibility and collaboration, and while we have team members in over 30 countries around the globe, we are currently focused on hiring for this role in France Although we’re unable to provide visa sponsorship at this time, we welcome applications from all qualified candidates who are legally authorized to work in these countries. 

We know that a great hire won’t meet every requirement that we’ve outlined. If you can see yourself elevating the team, we want to hear your story. Few of us would be here had we not taken a chance.   

You can expect 4 interviews on Google Meet to follow the order below. Should you successfully move through the entire process you will have the opportunity to meet with a variety of Upsunners. Our goal is to ensure you can make the most informed decision on whether this role, and our culture aligns with what you’re looking for in your future working environment. 

1. 45 Minutes with Talent Acquisition 
2. 60 Minutes with Hiring Manager (General Counsel)
3. 60 Minutes with Team (Senior Director, Professional Services & Senior Legal Counsel)
4. 45 Minutes with CFO 

All roles require background checks.

💡 A product you can believe in - Join us in transforming how businesses build and manage web applications, driven making a positive impact as a proud B Corp.

🏆 An Award-Winning Workplace - We’ve been recognized by Forbes’ Top 30 Companies for Remote Jobs and France’s Best Workplaces for Women.

🗣️ A culture that values your voice - Join a flexible, open, and inclusive work environment where your voice is encouraged, and your ideas shape our growth and evolution.

🌎 A global team - Collaborate with colleagues from diverse backgrounds across the world, embracing different perspectives

🎉 Benefits and perks - Make the most of what matters to you

🏝 Flexible PTO

🩺 Comprehensive healthcare coverage (UK, Canada, France, Spain, USA)

📈 Company stock options

🧠 Professional development budget

💻 Office equipment budget

💆‍♀️ Wellness budget

🧳 Annual team gatherings

🛜 Internet reimbursement

👶 Inclusive parental leave

✈️ Remote work travel program

At Upsun, we celebrate diversity in all its forms and are committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and supportive workplace where everyone can thrive. We embrace and value different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences, because they make us stronger as a team. Whoever you are, wherever you're from, and whatever path you've taken, you are welcome here. We encourage you to bring your whole self to work, connect with others, and share your passion. If you need accommodations at any stage of our hiring process, please let us know. We're here to ensure an accessible and comfortable experience for you.