At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product strategy for an innovative AI-driven programming language project.
- Company: Join JetBrains, a pioneer in developer tools with a passion for coding.
- Benefits: Enjoy startup autonomy within a supportive engineering culture.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusivity and innovation.
- Why this job: Shape the future of developer tooling and tackle deep technical challenges.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in product management, ideally with startup experience and a tech background.
The predicted salary is between 77850 - 95150 £ per year.
At JetBrains, code is our passion. Ever since we started, back in 2000, we have strived to make the strongest, most effective developer tools on earth. By automating routine checks and corrections, our tools speed up production, freeing developers to grow, discover, and create. ThinkRail is an innovative project within JetBrains' Innovation Hub. Its aim is to develop a declarative programming language tailored to AI-spec-driven development. Our goal is to build an infrastructure that enables the efficient creation of complex systems with AI, while maintaining the trust of users and flexibility in the results. Thinkrail is now open source and in alpha, and we’re entering the next stage of the product’s development: initial market penetration. We’re focused on bringing it into real-world projects and turning it into a robust, production-ready system.
About the role
We are looking for an Entrepreneur in Residence/Product Lead to work alongside the technical founder and own the product strategy for Thinkrail. This is not a traditional product management role. Your focus will be on deeply understanding real developer workflows: where specs, architecture, and code break down, what causes friction, and what problems are actually worth solving. You will translate these insights into concrete product requirements and priorities.
In this role, you will:
- Own the product strategy: Define the direction, validate key hypotheses, and decide what to build first.
- Run continuous discovery: Talk to developers and customers to understand real workflows, pain points, and opportunities.
- Define the initial scope: Identify the ICP, core use cases, and priorities for zero-to-one development.
- Shape GTM: Help define positioning, messaging, launch, and go-to-market strategy.
- Track the ecosystem: Stay close to competitors, adjacent tools, AI developments, and market trends.
- Work closely with engineering: Keep a small team focused, aligned, and moving quickly in a highly ambiguous environment.
We will be happy to have you on our team if you have:
- 8+ years of product management experience with end-to-end ownership of strategy, discovery, and delivery.
- Startup experience is a must, ideally in a small team, with a strong track record of building and shipping zero-to-one.
- Experience with developer tools or AI products is required.
- High autonomy, speed, and comfort making decisions with limited information.
- Strong technical fluency and the ability to work closely with engineers. Coding experience is a plus.
- Founder, co-founder, C-level, or similar experience is a strong advantage.
- Experience with GTM, marketing, launches, developer advocacy, or public speaking is also a plus.
Why join Project Thinkrail?
- Foundational work: Help define a new direction in developer tooling at the intersection of programming languages and AI.
- Deep technical problems: Work on language design, formal specs, tooling, and AI agents – not surface-level features.
- Real ownership: Own the product’s strategy and direction, working in a role closer to that of a founder than a classic PM.
- JetBrains environment: Enjoy startup-level autonomy with JetBrains’ engineering culture and long-term mindset.
We are an equal opportunity employer. We know great ideas can come from anyone, anywhere. That’s why we do our best to create an open and inclusive workplace – one that welcomes everyone regardless of their background, identity, religion, age, accessibility needs, or orientation.
Entrepreneur in Residence/Product Lead (Project Thinkrail) in London employer: JetBrains
JetBrains is an excellent employer for those looking to make a significant impact in the software development landscape. With a strong focus on innovation and a collaborative work culture, employees are encouraged to grow their skills while working on cutting-edge AI-first tools. The flexibility of remote work combined with opportunities for professional development makes JetBrains a rewarding place to advance your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Entrepreneur in Residence/Product Lead (Project Thinkrail) in London
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at JetBrains or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to JetBrains.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like JetBrains.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like JetBrains that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Entrepreneur in Residence/Product Lead (Project Thinkrail) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at JetBrains.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at JetBrains and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at JetBrains
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If JetBrains uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
