At a Glance
- Tasks: Build innovative privacy and compliance products using AI, transforming legal requirements into structured solutions.
- Company: Join Wordsmith, a fast-growing legal tech company revolutionising in-house legal operations.
- Benefits: Enjoy meaningful ownership, competitive salary, and the chance to shape a new product vertical.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic team environment in Edinburgh or London with excellent growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be a pioneer in legal AI, tackling unsolved problems and making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Deep knowledge of privacy law, strong AI literacy, and client-facing confidence required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Wordsmith
Wordsmith is building the legal operating system for in-house teams, and we are growing fast.
We believe in-house legal is becoming one of the most important functions in the AI era.
Every business is moving faster, but legal work is still too often scattered across inboxes, chats, documents and disconnected systems.
Wordsmith brings that work into one system.
Requests come in from across the business, AI agents handle the routine, lawyers stay in control where judgement matters, and every step is captured as work happens.
We are built for in-house legal, not law firms.
Our goal is to help legal teams move faster, reduce unnecessary external counsel spend and become a function the business can run with.
More than 500 companies, including Financial Times, Safelite, Trip. com, Canva, Starling and Sage, use Wordsmith.
Backed by over $100M from Index Ventures, General Catalyst, Highland Europe and others, we are building one of the defining companies in legal AI.
The role
We're hiring a Legal Engineer to help build out privacy and compliance as a brand new product vertical for Wordsmith, from the ground up.
This role spans privacy and compliance more generally - building products for customers, supporting pre‑sales, and creating the global AI tools that power them.
Its centre of gravity is privacy and compliance, but with the scope to be involved in wider regulatory, governance and legal use‑cases, so comfort and curiosity across these areas is a must.
Because this is a new product vertical for Wordsmith, we're seeking someone who is genuinely excited to build it out from scratch.
This is a mid-to-senior role for someone who can work independently and with our Head of Privacy - scoping a problem, building the solution and standing in front of a customer without hand‑holding.
What you'll do
- Build privacy and compliance products — translate messy legal, privacy and compliance requirements into structured, workable solutions that an AI agent can execute.
- Own the product vertical — shape privacy, compliance and beyond, as a brand new part of the Wordsmith platform, with real autonomy over how it's built.
- Support pre‑sales — sit in front of customers, understand their problems, and build or demonstrate solutions that solve them.
- Apply the compliance landscape — bring privacy law knowledge and/or the wider regulatory, governanance and compliance landscape, (eg Financial Services compliance or AI Governance), to real customer problems.
- Extend into general legal work — build more general legal products when the work calls for it, beyond the core privacy and compliance focus.
- Build with AI, not code — use Wordsmith's own platform to build solutions, with no coding required, but a confident, hands‑on understanding of what today's AI can and can't do.
What we're looking for
- Deep privacy and compliance knowledge, with a strong command of privacy law and/or the wider compliance picture — AI governance, security or specific areas such as financial regulation or employment law.
- Either a qualified lawyer or a privacy/compliance specialist with real depth in the field, comfortable working across adjacent legal areas when the work calls for it.
- Strong AI literacy — comfortable using and reasoning about AI tools day to day, with a clear understanding of what today's AI can and can't do, and able to build with it.
- A builder's mindset — able to take a messy legal, privacy or compliance requirement and turn it into something structured and workable.
- Client-facing confidence — able to sit in front of customers, understand their legal and compliance problems, and build or demonstrate solutions, including in pre- and post-sales settings.
- Several years of experience in privacy law or compliance practice, ideally at a mid-to-senior level, with the proactivity to work independently.
Desirable, but not essential
- Experience in legal tech, Reg Tech or a Saa S environment.
- Breadth across the compliance landscape, such as security frameworks (ISO 27001, SOC 2), AI governance regimes (EU AI Act) or broader GRC.
- Awareness of, or exposure to, broader legal practice beyond privacy and compliance.
- Some hands‑on building experience — prompt design, workflow automation, low-code tools or similar.
- How we work
We're an in-person team based in Edinburgh or London. You should expect to work from the office as your default.
We set a high bar, move quickly and give people meaningful ownership.
You'll work closely with Sales, Product and Engineering as you build this vertical, with the autonomy to scope your own problems and build your own solutions.
Why Wordsmith
You'll be the first person building out privacy, compliance and regulatory as a product vertical at Wordsmith — a ground‑floor opportunity to shape it from scratch, at one of the defining companies in legal AI.
Because we're building in a new technical category, the problems are interesting and genuinely unsolved.
You'll have real autonomy over how this part of the platform is built, and the opportunity to grow it as it scales.
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Legal Engineer (Privacy & Compliance) employer: Wordsmith AI Ltd
At Wordsmith, we are redefining the legal landscape by creating a cutting-edge operating system for in-house legal teams, making us an exceptional employer for those passionate about privacy and compliance. Our vibrant work culture fosters innovation and collaboration, offering employees the chance to take ownership of their projects while working alongside industry leaders in AI and legal tech. With a focus on professional growth and the unique opportunity to shape a brand new product vertical from the ground up, joining our Edinburgh or London office means being part of a pioneering team that is at the forefront of legal AI.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Engineer (Privacy & Compliance)
✨Get Involved in Law Societies
Join local law societies and attend their events – they're often a goldmine for networking and job opportunities in the legal field. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other budding lawyers and experienced solicitors who could provide vital insights and connections.
✨Tap into Online Legal Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online platforms like LinkedIn and specific legal forums. Get active in discussions or share your thoughts on recent legal developments – this not only builds your visibility but also showcases your passion and knowledge in law.
✨Attend Career Fairs and Workshops
Look out for career fairs and workshops specifically focused on law. Many law firms, including Wordsmith AI Ltd, will be scouting for fresh talent, so bring your A-game and don’t shy away from making a memorable impression.
✨Leverage Your University’s Career Services
If you’re still in university or have recently graduated, latch onto your career services! They often have connections with law firms looking for graduates and can guide you through the application process tailored for the legal sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Legal Engineer (Privacy & Compliance)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Legal Knowledge:When applying for a full-time role in legal services at Wordsmith AI Ltd, make sure to demonstrate your understanding of key legal principles and areas of law relevant to the position. Include any specific coursework, modules, or certifications, like LPC or BPTC qualifications, that showcase your legal expertise directly on your CV.
Showcase Your Research Skills:In the legal field, strong research skills are crucial. Use your application to illustrate how you've utilised these skills in past studies or work experiences – whether that's through past internships or significant projects. Mention any legal databases or tools you’re proficient in, as this can give you an edge.
Tailor That Cover Letter!:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make it personal by expressing your genuine interest in Wordsmith AI Ltd and the specific role of Legal Engineer (Privacy & Compliance). Talk about why you want to be part of their team, how your unique experiences align with their values, and why you’re passionate about the legal sector.
Stay Formal but Friendly:While we all know the legal world can be pretty formal, don’t be afraid to let a bit of personality shine through in your written application. Use a respectful tone, but feel free to inject a little warmth; this approach can help you stand out and show you're a great fit for Wordsmith AI Ltd’s culture!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wordsmith AI Ltd
✨Know Your Legal Principles
Brush up on foundational legal principles relevant to the specific area of law you’re applying for, whether it’s corporate, criminal, or family law. We might get asked situational questions to test your knowledge, so being articulate about key concepts will make you stand out.
✨Be Ready for Case Studies
Full-time legal roles often involve case studies during interviews. Prepare to analyse a hypothetical case and discuss your approach to it. Practising this with a peer or mentor can help us refine our reasoning and articulate a solid legal argument.
✨Show Off Your Research Skills
As legal professionals, strong research skills are a must. Have examples ready of how you've effectively used legal databases or conducted thorough legal research in your past experiences. It's a great way to demonstrate your readiness for the role at Wordsmith AI Ltd.
✨Exude Professionalism and Confidence
In the legal field, professionalism is key. During the interview, we should maintain good eye contact and communicate clearly to show that we’re not just knowledgeable, but also confident. This can make a positive impression on your potential colleagues at Wordsmith AI Ltd.
