At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Scala plugin vision, improve developer tools, and collaborate with engineers.
- Company: Join JetBrains, a leader in developer tools with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work, extra time off, and mental health support.
- Other info: Enjoy a dynamic workplace with opportunities for learning and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on developer experiences and shape the future of Scala tooling.
- Qualifications: Must have Scala development experience and strong product management skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
At JetBrains, we care deeply about developer tools and the code-writing experience. The Scala plugin for IntelliJ IDEA helps developers work with Scala every day. Supporting that experience means understanding real-world development workflows, staying close to user needs, and continuously improving the tools developers rely on. We’re looking for a Technical Product Manager to help improve IntelliJ IDEA’s Scala support. This is a hands‑on role focused on understanding developer needs and turning them into practical product improvements. You will work closely with engineers, experiment with modern Scala projects and tooling, analyze user feedback, investigate pain points in areas such as build systems, debugging, and code insight, and test ideas through prototypes and direct user interaction. Our goal is to provide developers with a reliable and productive environment for working with Scala and its ecosystem. We’re looking for someone who enjoys developer tools, understands technical trade‑offs, and likes improving products through close collaboration with both users and engineers.
In This Role, You Will
- Own the product vision for the Scala plugin, ensuring it provides fast, correct, and trustworthy IDE support that evolves with the language.
- Analyze product usage statistics and run a consistent pipeline of user interviews to ground decisions in real workflows.
- Use IntelliJ IDEA with the Scala plugin daily – dogfooding features, catching regressions, and validating the developer experience first‑hand.
- Maintain and develop reference projects that serve as showcases for new features, material for conference demos, and a living test bed for DX quality.
- Own and continuously adapt the plugin roadmap for short‑term release goals, mid‑term initiatives, and longer‑term projects related to the Scala ecosystem.
- Align plugin planning with Scala compiler releases and IntelliJ IDEA release trains.
- Make judgments about trade‑offs and say "no" when cost, risk, or maintenance burden outweighs user value.
- Define problem statements, success criteria, and scope for features, and then collaborate with engineers to validate and refine them.
- Represent core Scala stakeholders – developers and library authors – and prioritize recurring pain points, for example, false positives, slow analysis, unreliable refactorings, onboarding pain points, and AI agent integrations.
- Coordinate with Developer Advocates, the IntelliJ IDEA and Marketing teams, and other JetBrains teams.
We're Looking For Someone Who
- Has professional software development experience in Scala (this is a must).
- Has at least five years of experience in technical product management or a comparable role in a complex technical domain.
- Works closely with the product instead of relying solely on reports and meetings.
- Has experience with AI coding tools and agents, and curiosity about how they are reshaping developer workflows.
- Can define clear roadmaps with problem statements, success criteria, and explicit trade‑offs.
- Has strong communication skills in English – written and spoken – for both technical peers and executive audiences.
- Is ready to represent the product externally at conferences, in blog posts, and in community interactions.
- Takes the developer experience personally – not as an abstract metric, but as something they feel in their own daily workflow.
We'd Be Especially Thrilled If You
- Have experience developing IntelliJ Platform plugins or working with the IntelliJ Platform SDK, or have other technical experience with language tooling and IDEs.
- Have built or contributed to evaluation pipelines, benchmarks, or quality measurement systems.
- Have given technical talks or published content aimed at developer audiences.
Why join JetBrains?
- Strong base salary. We offer competitive pay that reflects your skills and experience.
- Flexible work location. Enjoy the freedom to work from home or from the office.
- Remote work. Spend up to 30 days per year working remotely from abroad.
- Extra time off. More days to relax, recharge, and do the things you love.
- Medical insurance allowance. Enjoy peace of mind for you and your family.
- Learning and development opportunities. Access to conferences, courses, and language classes.
- Relocation support. We help make your move as smooth and stress‑free as possible.
- Language classes. Pick up the local language or sharpen your English skills.
- Fuel your day. Enjoy a hot meal or receive a lunch allowance on workdays.
- Mental health support. To help you feel your best, we provide easy access to professional mental health services.
- Sports benefit. Enjoy an on‑site gym or sports club stipend.
- Internal events. Join company‑wide celebrations and team gatherings.
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.
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Technical Product Manager (IntelliJ Scala Plugin) in London employer: JetBrains
At JetBrains, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that prioritises the developer experience. As a Technical Product Manager for the IntelliJ Scala Plugin, you will enjoy competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, and ample opportunities for professional growth through access to conferences and training. Our commitment to mental health support and a diverse, inclusive environment makes JetBrains an exceptional place to build a meaningful career in software development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Product Manager (IntelliJ Scala Plugin) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research JetBrains, their products, and the Scala plugin specifically. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in improving developer tools.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events where JetBrains is present. Building relationships can give you insider info and make you stand out as a candidate.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your hands-on experience! Be ready to discuss your past projects and how you've tackled real-world development challenges. Use examples that highlight your understanding of Scala and product management.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at JetBrains.
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Product Manager (IntelliJ Scala Plugin) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Developer Tools:When writing your application, let us know why you care about developer tools and the coding experience. Share any personal projects or experiences that highlight your enthusiasm for improving tools like the Scala plugin.
Be Specific About Your Experience:We want to see your professional software development experience in Scala shine through. Don’t just list your roles; explain how your past work relates to the responsibilities of the Technical Product Manager position.
Highlight Collaboration Skills:Since this role involves working closely with engineers and users, make sure to mention any collaborative projects you've been part of. Show us how you’ve successfully navigated technical trade-offs and user needs in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at JetBrains
✨Know Your Scala Inside Out
As a Technical Product Manager, you need to demonstrate your expertise in Scala. Brush up on the latest features and common pain points developers face. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled these issues in past projects.
✨Understand Developer Workflows
Familiarise yourself with real-world development workflows. Think about how the IntelliJ Scala plugin fits into these processes. Prepare examples of how you've improved tools or processes based on user feedback in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
You’ll need to communicate effectively with both technical peers and executives. Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. Consider preparing a brief presentation on a relevant topic to showcase your skills during the interview.
✨Prepare for Trade-off Discussions
Be ready to discuss how you make decisions regarding trade-offs between user value and technical constraints. Think of specific examples where you had to say 'no' to certain features and how you justified those decisions to stakeholders.
