What are the responsibilities and job description for the Principal Staff Software Engineer, Data Privacy & Governance Infrastructure position at LinkedIn?
LinkedIn was built to help professionals achieve more in their careers, and every day, millions of people use our products to connect, discover opportunities, and gain insights. Our global reach allows us to make a direct impact on the world’s workforce in ways no other company can. We’re much more than a digital resume—we transform lives through innovative products and technology.
Searching for your next big opportunity? At LinkedIn, we strive to help our employees find passion and purpose. Join us in changing the way the world works.
We believe that leadership is about fostering growth, maintaining balance, and achieving results. Our leaders value their craft, inspire their teams, and set the standard for high-quality work. They drive the strategy and implementation of critical initiatives, motivating and developing their teams to make a lasting impact on our business and community.
Job Description
At LinkedIn, our approach to flexible work is centered on trust and optimized for culture, connection, clarity, and the evolving needs of our business. The work location of this role is hybrid, meaning it will be performed both from home and from a LinkedIn office on select days, as determined by the business needs of the team.
LinkedIn is seeking a Principal Staff Software Engineer to lead its Data Privacy and Data Governance Engineering team. This critical role involves ensuring LinkedIn meets privacy and data governance commitments made to regulators and end-users. You will be at the forefront of designing and implementing privacy-related systems and initiatives, including data minimization, data taxonomy, data retention, and purpose limitation.
As a key leader in Privacy Engineering, you will be responsible for creating scalable solutions for LinkedIn's universal policy catalog and integrating it with a high-performance native policy enforcement system. This system will enforce data policies across all execution environments. The role requires a deep understanding of data privacy principles, and technical expertise to collaborate with cross-functional teams in developing innovative solutions that balance business requirements with privacy compliance.
Responsibilities:
Design and implement scalable, reliable, and high-performance backend systems focused on member privacy and data protection.
Lead key privacy initiatives such as data minimization, data taxonomy, data retention, and purpose limitation.
Collaborate with product management, legal, engineering, compliance, and security teams to ensure privacy considerations are integrated into LinkedIn's architecture and development processes.
Develop technology roadmaps prioritizing members’ data privacy.
Identify and evaluate new technologies to enhance LinkedIn's privacy posture.
Provide technical guidance and mentorship to engineers within the team.
Ensure systems comply with relevant privacy laws and regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA).
What we are looking for
Extensive software engineering experience with a proven track record of building large-scale systems.
Deep understanding of privacy principles and regulatory frameworks (e.g., GDPR, CCPA).
Strong technical leadership skills with the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders.
Experience designing and implementing policy enforcement systems or privacy-centric architectures.
Expertise in data governance, security, and encryption technologies.
Excellent communication skills to translate complex privacy requirements into technical solutions.
Demonstrated ability to build and lead high-performing engineering teams.
Basic Qualifications:
BS/BA in Computer Science or related technical field or equivalent technical experience
10 years of experience in software design, building solutions
5 years in a technical leadership position
Preferred Qualifications:
12 years of experience in software design
5 of those years in a technical leadership position
Experience Data Privacy & Governance Infrastructure
Experience leading and influencing within large, matrixed organization
Experience leading high-impact, cross-organization initiatives.
Suggested skills
- Data Privacy & Governance Infrastructure
- Developing technology strategies at a company-wide scale.
- Technical leadership
LinkedIn is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices.
The pay range for this role is $207,000 to $340,000. Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, depth of experience, certifications, and specific work location. This may be different in other locations due to differences in the cost of labor.
The total compensation package for this position may also include annual performance bonus, stock, benefits and/or other applicable incentive compensation plans. For more information, visit https://careers.linkedin.com/benefits
Equal Opportunity Statement
LinkedIn is committed to diversity in its workforce and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. LinkedIn considers qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sex, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, citizenship, or any other legally protected class. LinkedIn is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer as described in our equal opportunity statement here: https://microsoft.sharepoint.com/:b:/t/LinkedInGCI/EeE8sk7CTIdFmEp9ONzFOTEBM62TPrWLMHs4J1C_QxVTbg?e=5hfhpE. Please reference https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf and https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/OFCCP_EEO_Supplement_Final_JRF_QA_508c.pdf for more information.
LinkedIn is committed to offering an inclusive and accessible experience for all job seekers, including individuals with disabilities. Our goal is to foster an inclusive and accessible workplace where everyone has the opportunity to be successful.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening, apply for a position, or participate in the interview process, connect with us at accommodations@linkedin.com and describe the specific accommodation requested for a disability-related limitation.
Reasonable accommodations are modifications or adjustments to the application or hiring process that would enable you to fully participate in that process. Examples of reasonable accommodations include but are not limited to:
-Documents in alternate formats or read aloud to you
-Having interviews in an accessible location
-Being accompanied by a service dog
-Having a sign language interpreter present for the interview
A request for an accommodation will be responded to within three business days. However, non-disability related requests, such as following up on an application, will not receive a response.
LinkedIn will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by LinkedIn, or (c) consistent with LinkedIn's legal duty to furnish information.
Pay Transparency Policy Statement
As a federal contractor, LinkedIn follows the Pay Transparency and non-discrimination provisions described at this link: https://lnkd.in/paytransparency.
Global Data Privacy Notice for Job Candidates
This document provides transparency around the way in which LinkedIn handles personal data of employees and job applicants: https://lnkd.in/GlobalDataPrivacyNotice
Searching for your next big opportunity? At LinkedIn, we strive to help our employees find passion and purpose. Join us in changing the way the world works.
We believe that leadership is about fostering growth, maintaining balance, and achieving results. Our leaders value their craft, inspire their teams, and set the standard for high-quality work. They drive the strategy and implementation of critical initiatives, motivating and developing their teams to make a lasting impact on our business and community.
Job Description
At LinkedIn, our approach to flexible work is centered on trust and optimized for culture, connection, clarity, and the evolving needs of our business. The work location of this role is hybrid, meaning it will be performed both from home and from a LinkedIn office on select days, as determined by the business needs of the team.
LinkedIn is seeking a Principal Staff Software Engineer to lead its Data Privacy and Data Governance Engineering team. This critical role involves ensuring LinkedIn meets privacy and data governance commitments made to regulators and end-users. You will be at the forefront of designing and implementing privacy-related systems and initiatives, including data minimization, data taxonomy, data retention, and purpose limitation.
As a key leader in Privacy Engineering, you will be responsible for creating scalable solutions for LinkedIn's universal policy catalog and integrating it with a high-performance native policy enforcement system. This system will enforce data policies across all execution environments. The role requires a deep understanding of data privacy principles, and technical expertise to collaborate with cross-functional teams in developing innovative solutions that balance business requirements with privacy compliance.
Responsibilities:
Design and implement scalable, reliable, and high-performance backend systems focused on member privacy and data protection.
Lead key privacy initiatives such as data minimization, data taxonomy, data retention, and purpose limitation.
Collaborate with product management, legal, engineering, compliance, and security teams to ensure privacy considerations are integrated into LinkedIn's architecture and development processes.
Develop technology roadmaps prioritizing members’ data privacy.
Identify and evaluate new technologies to enhance LinkedIn's privacy posture.
Provide technical guidance and mentorship to engineers within the team.
Ensure systems comply with relevant privacy laws and regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA).
What we are looking for
Extensive software engineering experience with a proven track record of building large-scale systems.
Deep understanding of privacy principles and regulatory frameworks (e.g., GDPR, CCPA).
Strong technical leadership skills with the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders.
Experience designing and implementing policy enforcement systems or privacy-centric architectures.
Expertise in data governance, security, and encryption technologies.
Excellent communication skills to translate complex privacy requirements into technical solutions.
Demonstrated ability to build and lead high-performing engineering teams.
Basic Qualifications:
BS/BA in Computer Science or related technical field or equivalent technical experience
10 years of experience in software design, building solutions
5 years in a technical leadership position
Preferred Qualifications:
12 years of experience in software design
5 of those years in a technical leadership position
Experience Data Privacy & Governance Infrastructure
Experience leading and influencing within large, matrixed organization
Experience leading high-impact, cross-organization initiatives.
Suggested skills
- Data Privacy & Governance Infrastructure
- Developing technology strategies at a company-wide scale.
- Technical leadership
LinkedIn is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices.
The pay range for this role is $207,000 to $340,000. Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, depth of experience, certifications, and specific work location. This may be different in other locations due to differences in the cost of labor.
The total compensation package for this position may also include annual performance bonus, stock, benefits and/or other applicable incentive compensation plans. For more information, visit https://careers.linkedin.com/benefits
Equal Opportunity Statement
LinkedIn is committed to diversity in its workforce and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. LinkedIn considers qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sex, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, citizenship, or any other legally protected class. LinkedIn is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer as described in our equal opportunity statement here: https://microsoft.sharepoint.com/:b:/t/LinkedInGCI/EeE8sk7CTIdFmEp9ONzFOTEBM62TPrWLMHs4J1C_QxVTbg?e=5hfhpE. Please reference https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf and https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/OFCCP_EEO_Supplement_Final_JRF_QA_508c.pdf for more information.
LinkedIn is committed to offering an inclusive and accessible experience for all job seekers, including individuals with disabilities. Our goal is to foster an inclusive and accessible workplace where everyone has the opportunity to be successful.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening, apply for a position, or participate in the interview process, connect with us at accommodations@linkedin.com and describe the specific accommodation requested for a disability-related limitation.
Reasonable accommodations are modifications or adjustments to the application or hiring process that would enable you to fully participate in that process. Examples of reasonable accommodations include but are not limited to:
-Documents in alternate formats or read aloud to you
-Having interviews in an accessible location
-Being accompanied by a service dog
-Having a sign language interpreter present for the interview
A request for an accommodation will be responded to within three business days. However, non-disability related requests, such as following up on an application, will not receive a response.
LinkedIn will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by LinkedIn, or (c) consistent with LinkedIn's legal duty to furnish information.
Pay Transparency Policy Statement
As a federal contractor, LinkedIn follows the Pay Transparency and non-discrimination provisions described at this link: https://lnkd.in/paytransparency.
Global Data Privacy Notice for Job Candidates
This document provides transparency around the way in which LinkedIn handles personal data of employees and job applicants: https://lnkd.in/GlobalDataPrivacyNotice
Salary : $207,000 - $340,000
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