AI Technical Lead - C++ Ecosystem

<p data-start="213" data-end="305">AI is fundamentally changing how developers write, understand, debug, and maintain software.</p> <p data-start="307" data-end="665">At JetBrains, we're exploring what an AI-native development experience should look like for C++ developers. We are looking for a senior technical leader to help shape this future by building AI-powered workflows, integrating coding agents into developer tools, and defining how CLion can become a first-class environment for AI-assisted software development.</p> <p data-start="667" data-end="1126">This is a highly hands-on role focused on technical leadership rather than people management. You should expect to spend most of your time prototyping, implementing, and validating AI-powered workflows while helping shape technical direction through hands-on engineering. You'll work at the intersection of developer tools, AI agents, IDE architecture, and product strategy while helping define how software developers work with AI in the future.</p> <h3><strong>Example problems you'll work on:</strong></h3> <ul data-start="1257" data-end="1772"> <li data-section-id="1kr8jn4" data-start="1257" data-end="1341">How can coding agents become more effective when working with large C++ codebases?</li> <li data-section-id="1grdqsk" data-start="1342" data-end="1472">How can CLion's debugging, code understanding, and navigation capabilities be integrated into AI-assisted development workflows?</li> <li data-section-id="1a96z5j" data-start="1473" data-end="1584">How should AI-powered developer experiences be evaluated and benchmarked in real-world development scenarios?</li> <li data-section-id="x2tg27" data-start="1585" data-end="1657">What capabilities should AI agents have access to inside a modern IDE?</li> <li data-section-id="1h33vb4" data-start="1658" data-end="1772">How can we make CLion a better environment for developers who increasingly collaborate with AI tools and agents?</li> </ul> <h3><strong>In this role, you will:</strong></h3> <ul> <li data-section-id="ulv941" data-start="167" data-end="285">Shape and deliver AI-powered features for CLion and C++ development workflows.</li> <li data-section-id="lhgmb6" data-start="286" data-end="417">Design the architecture for AI integrations, agent tools, and C++-specific AI capabilities.</li> <li data-section-id="dripig" data-start="418" data-end="591">Build practical benchmarks and evaluation frameworks for AI-assisted C++ development scenarios.</li> <li data-section-id="1gmdjb8" data-start="592" data-end="750">Prototype and validate new AI workflows, including debugging, code understanding, refactoring, and project navigation.</li> <li data-section-id="1qfb96v" data-start="751" data-end="923">Collaborate with product managers, ML engineers, QA engineers, stakeholders, and senior developers to shape and deliver the roadmap.</li> <li data-section-id="cg7clz" data-start="924" data-end="1109">Work closely with JetBrains AI, ML, and product teams to help define the AI strategy for the C++ ecosystem.</li> <li data-section-id="1ew61mo" data-start="1110" data-end="1273">Evaluate and prioritize AI initiatives, bringing new ideas and proposals that align with the broader JetBrains AI strategy.</li> <li data-section-id="mf99vh" data-start="1274" data-end="1465">Contribute hands-on to technical design, software architecture, and implementation in a large, mature codebase.</li> <li data-section-id="1j853ei" data-start="1466" data-end="1604">Help define a technical roadmap for AI agent and tool integrations in C++ development workflows.</li> <li data-section-id="10l7mut" data-start="1605" data-end="1737">Build trust and alignment across the C++ Ecosystem, AI, Product, QA, and ML organizations</li> </ul> <h3><strong>We'd love to talk if you have:&nbsp;</strong></h3> <ul> <li>Significant software engineering experience as a Staff Engineer, Principal Engineer, Technical Lead, or similar senior technical role.</li> <li>Strong experience with Kotlin, Java, or other JVM technologies, or the ability to quickly become productive in a JVM-based codebase.</li> <li>Experience building AI-powered products, developer tools, coding assistants, agents, or LLM-based workflows.</li> <li data-section-id="u914ku" data-start="4530" data-end="4665">Strong understanding of how modern coding agents operate, including tool calling, context management, MCP, and evaluation techniques.</li> <li data-section-id="878m62" data-start="4755" data-end="4843">A track record of driving technical direction in ambiguous and rapidly evolving areas.</li> <li data-section-id="1lcrl1i" data-start="4844" data-end="4932">Strong product instincts and an ability to balance innovation with practical delivery.</li> <li data-section-id="vtnivs" data-start="4933" data-end="5020">Excellent communication skills and the ability to influence without formal authority.</li> </ul> <h3><strong>Nice to have</strong></h3> <ul data-start="1342" data-end="1687"> <li data-section-id="1b3ujlt" data-start="1342" data-end="1462">Experience with C++ development workflows, compilers, debuggers, language tooling, or developer productivity products.</li> <li data-section-id="p2q2va" data-start="1463" data-end="1569">Experience with IDE internals, language servers, code analysis, refactoring systems, or static analysis.</li> <li data-section-id="1axscea" data-start="1570" data-end="1633">Experience leading small teams or acting as a technical lead.</li> <li data-section-id="ny4zci" data-start="1634" data-end="1687">Experience working on AI-native developer products.</li> </ul> <h3 data-section-id="ctb2ez" data-start="4418" data-end="4445"><strong>Why this role is unique</strong></h3> <p data-start="4781" data-end="5174">Rather than building generic chat experiences, you'll be working on challenges such as AI-assisted debugging, agent-powered code understanding, developer workflow automation, and evaluation systems for AI-powered development tools. Your work will directly influence products used by millions of developers worldwide and help shape JetBrains' broader vision for AI-powered software development.</p> <h3><strong>Why join JetBrains?&nbsp;</strong></h3> <ul> <li>Strong base salary. We offer competitive pay that reflects your skills and experience.</li> <li>Flexible work location. Enjoy the freedom to work from home or from the office.</li> <li>Remote work. Spend up to 30 days per year working remotely from abroad.</li> <li>Extra time off. More days to relax, recharge, and do the things you love.</li> <li>Medical insurance allowance. Enjoy peace of mind for you and your family</li> <li>Learning and development opportunities. Access to conferences, courses, and language classes.</li> <li><strong>Relocation support. We help make your move as smooth and stress-free as possible. (keep if relevant for the role)</strong></li> <li>Language classes. Pick up the local language or sharpen your English skills.</li> <li>Fuel your day. Enjoy a hot meal or receive a lunch allowance on workdays.</li> <li>Mental health support. To help you feel your best, we provide easy access to professional mental health services.</li> <li>Sports benefit. Enjoy an on-site gym or sports club stipend.</li> <li>Internal events. Join company-wide celebrations and team gatherings.</li> </ul> <p>*Some benefits may vary depending on location.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">#LI-DNI</span><br><br></p><div class="content-conclusion"><p><strong>We are an equal opportunity employer</strong><br><br>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.</p> <p><em data-stringify-type="italic">We process the data provided in your job application in accordance with the <a href="https://www.jetbrains.com/legal/docs/privacy/privacy-recruitment/">Recruitment Privacy Policy.</a></em></p></div>