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- Tasks: Provide expert advice on open-source software licensing and manage compliance risks.
- Company: Join a leading engineering organisation in a dynamic tech environment.
- Benefits: Competitive contract rate, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by guiding teams through open-source licensing challenges.
- Qualifications: Strong background in software licensing and open-source governance required.
- Other info: Collaborate with international teams and enhance your expertise in a fast-paced setting.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) Licensing Subject Matter Expert to support a large-scale engineering organisation within a complex technology environment. This contract role sits within a Cloud and Shared Services Engineering function and plays a critical part in enabling engineering teams to deliver software securely, at pace, and in line with open-source licensing obligations.
You will provide hands-on expertise across FOSS governance, licensing analysis, tooling, and controls, working closely with engineering, platform, tooling, and legal teams. This role is suited to a seasoned specialist who can operate autonomously, make sound risk-based decisions, and deliver immediate impact in a fast-moving environment.
As a contract FOSS Licensing SME, you will support and strengthen the processes and controls governing how open-source software is consumed, assessed, and managed. You will act as a trusted advisor to engineering teams, helping them navigate licensing obligations while enabling innovation and delivery. This is a delivery-focused role requiring strong judgement, pragmatism, and the ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision.
Working as part of an international team, you will:
- Provide expert advice to engineering teams on FOSS licensing implications for new and existing applications
- Analyse licence and copyright considerations for open-source software acquisition and usage
- Use FOSS scanning and licence analysis tools to identify risks, issues, and compliance gaps
- Work with legal, engineering, and tooling teams to resolve licensing risks pragmatically
- Support and continuously improve FOSS control processes and governance frameworks
- Review current treatments of open-source licences and recommend improvements where required
- Classify licences not recognised by automated tooling into defined internal categories
- Contribute to training, guidance, and awareness materials for engineering teams
- Provide leadership and oversight to FOSS licensing analysts where required
- Support the evaluation, selection, and enhancement of FOSS licensing and scanning tools
You will be an experienced contractor with a strong background in software licensing, open-source governance, or IT asset management, and will bring:
- Deep knowledge of open-source licences, their obligations, and risk implications
- Proven experience analysing open-source components and licence compatibility
- Hands-on experience with at least one open-source scanning or licence evaluation tool
- Strong understanding of software licensing agreement terminology
- Experience working directly with legal teams to interpret and apply licence terms
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
- Familiarity with collaboration and delivery tools such as Confluence, Jira, and SharePoint
Desirable experience:
- Experience working across legal, engineering, and platform teams in large organisations
- Practical exposure to open-source software from a usage or contribution perspective
- Understanding of the software development life cycle and DevSecOps practices
- Experience working in Agile delivery environments
- Exposure to tools such as Nexus IQ Server, FOSSology, or similar
- Legal or copyright law training
FOSS SME in London employer: Talent Smart Limited
Contact Detail:
Talent Smart Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land FOSS SME in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Prepare to discuss your experience with FOSS licensing and governance in detail during interviews. Use real-world examples to demonstrate how you've tackled challenges and made an impact in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. Focus on articulating your thought process when it comes to risk-based decisions and compliance.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team. Plus, it gives you a chance to showcase your enthusiasm for the role right from the start.
We think you need these skills to ace FOSS SME in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience with FOSS licensing and governance. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've navigated open-source licensing challenges in the past, and don’t forget to express your enthusiasm for the opportunity!
Showcase Relevant Experience: When detailing your experience, focus on your hands-on work with FOSS tools and your collaboration with legal teams. We want to see how you've made an impact in previous roles, so be specific about your contributions.
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 us you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Talent Smart Limited
✨Know Your FOSS Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of open-source licences and their implications. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've navigated licensing issues in the past, as this will show your expertise and ability to provide valuable advice to engineering teams.
✨Showcase Your Tooling Experience
Familiarise yourself with the open-source scanning and licence evaluation tools mentioned in the job description. If you've used tools like Nexus IQ Server or FOSSology, be ready to share your experiences and how they helped you identify risks and compliance gaps.
✨Demonstrate Strong Stakeholder Management Skills
Think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with legal, engineering, and platform teams. Highlight your communication skills and how you've managed to resolve licensing risks pragmatically while keeping all parties informed and engaged.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in real-world situations related to FOSS governance and licensing. Practice articulating your thought process and decision-making skills under pressure, as this role requires strong judgement and the ability to deliver immediate impact.
