(Senior) Corporate Counsel (m/w/d) at Brainlab, Munich

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Brainlab

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Fully qualified German lawyer (Volljurist) with First and Second State Examination, each with a grade of at least 'befriedigend' (satisfactory); several years of professional experience (ideally 5-8 years) in the legal department of an internationally operating company; experience in independently supporting projects and contract negotiations; strong interest in software-based products and digital innovations; understanding of economic contexts; structured, solution-oriented working style; strong communication and teamwork; fluent German and English (written and spoken).

Medical technology is one of the most heavily regulated and fastest-moving industries in the world. When a company like Brainlab—a Munich-born innovator whose digital ecosystem supports modern medicine in over 4,000 hospitals across 120 countries—opens a position for a (Senior) Corporate Counsel, it signals more than just a hiring need. It reflects the growing importance of lawyers who can navigate complex regulatory landscapes while enabling business growth. This is not a role for a passive legal mind; it is a career-defining opportunity for fully qualified German lawyers who want to sit at the intersection of law, technology, and global healthcare.

Why Brainlab Stands Out as an Employer for Legal Talent

Founded more than 35 years ago, Brainlab has established itself as a pioneer in digitizing medical workflows, from diagnosis to therapy. With roughly 2,000 employees across 25 global locations, the company maintains a startup-like agility despite its scale. Its core values—Curious, Authentic, and Useful—are not just slogans; they shape how the legal team operates. For corporate counsel, this means every legal opinion and contract you draft directly contributes to surgical precision, radiation therapy, and digital operating rooms. The legal department at the Munich headquarters is deliberately central, working hand-in-hand with product development, IT, procurement, sales, and corporate strategy.

'As part of the Legal-Team, you will take on a central role in the legal advice of our international group. You will work closely with our specialist departments, accompany important corporate projects, and bring your legal expertise into strategic and operational decisions.'

This job description makes clear that Brainlab is looking for a business partner, not just a contract reviewer. The role is designed for someone who can identify legal risks, translate complex regulations into practical recommendations, and negotiate agreements that protect the company while enabling innovation.

Inside the Role: A Day in the Life of Brainlab Corporate Counsel

The responsibilities listed in the job posting reveal a deliberately broad portfolio. This breadth is one of the most attractive aspects of an in-house role at a global medtech company. You will not be siloed into a single practice area; instead, you will handle:

• End-to-end contract management : drafting, reviewing, and negotiating national and international contracts across a variety of commercial agreements.
• Strategic project support : advising on corporate transactions, company law questions, and group-wide initiatives.
• Risk assessment : identifying legal exposure early and delivering pragmatic, practice-oriented recommendations to management.
• External counsel coordination : managing relationships with law firms in Germany and abroad, ensuring quality and cost efficiency.
• Process improvement : developing internal templates, standards, and training to raise the legal competence of the entire organization.

This is not an entry-level position. The title '(Senior) Corporate Counsel' implies a level of maturity and judgment that only comes from years of practice. The ideal candidate will have spent 5–8 years working in the legal department of an internationally active company—or possibly at a law firm with significant client exposure to corporate and commercial matters.

The Volljurist Requirement: What It Means and Why It Matters

For international readers, the German legal qualification system can seem unfamiliar. Unlike many jurisdictions where a single degree is sufficient, Germany requires aspiring lawyers to pass two state examinations: the First and Second Staatsexamen. Only after completing both, along with a two-year legal preparatory service (Referendariat), can a candidate be considered a fully qualified lawyer (Volljurist). Brainlab explicitly asks for both exams with a grade of at least 'befriedigend' (satisfactory). This benchmark ensures that candidates possess the deep doctrinal knowledge and practical experience needed to operate effectively in the German legal system.

Equally important are the soft skills. Brainlab emphasizes 'legal excellence with pragmatism and entrepreneurial thinking.' That means you must be able to explain complex legal issues in plain, solution-oriented language that a sales manager or product engineer can understand. You also need a genuine interest in software and digital innovation. Medtech products are increasingly software-driven, so understanding data protection, cybersecurity, AI liability, and SaaS contracts is a huge advantage.

'You combine legal excellence with pragmatism and entrepreneurial thinking and understand how to communicate complex matters understandably, solution-oriented, and tailored to the audience.'

Language skills are non-negotiable: you must be fluent in German and English, both written and spoken. Since Brainlab operates in 120 countries, English will be your working language for cross-border deals, while German remains essential for local corporate law and internal communication.

Why This Role Is a Career Accelerator for In-House Lawyers

Moving from a law firm to an in-house position is a major career decision. The Brainlab role offers several distinctive advantages that can accelerate your trajectory:

• Direct business impact : Your advice shapes product launches, clinical collaborations, and market entries in real time.
• International exposure : You will work with colleagues and law firms across multiple jurisdictions, building a global network.
• Strategic influence : As part of the core legal team, you participate in high-level corporate projects and transactions, giving you visibility with the C-suite.
• Work-life balance : The benefits package includes 30 vacation days plus December 24 and 31, flexible working hours, hybrid work within Germany, and a subsidized company restaurant.
• Continuous learning : Brainlab invests in comprehensive training and development, helping you grow in a cutting-edge industry.

For professionals currently working in a law firm, this role offers a transition to a sector where the pace of change is relentless and the demand for agile legal thinking is huge. For those already in-house at another company, Brainlab provides a chance to work with one of the most respected names in digital surgery and radiotherapy.

Why MedTech Legal Roles Are Future-Proof

The healthcare technology sector is expanding at an unprecedented pace. From AI-assisted surgical planning to cloud-based imaging, legal questions around medical device regulation, data privacy, and intellectual property will only grow more complex. In-house counsel who understand both the legal framework and the product lifecycle will become indispensable. Brainlab's global footprint means this role is not confined to German law alone; you will constantly encounter EU regulations, FDA requirements, and local laws in every market the company serves. This variety keeps the work intellectually stimulating and makes you highly marketable for future roles—whether you stay in-house or return to private practice with rare in-house insight.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Brainlab Corporate Counsel Role

Q1: I am an Indian-qualified lawyer with an LLM from Germany. Can I apply for this role?

A1: The job posting explicitly requires a Volljurist—meaning both German State Examinations. An LLM alone, even from a German university, does not equate to the First and Second Staatsexamen. However, if you have completed the full German legal education or are in the process of obtaining equivalence, it is worth contacting Brainlab's HR team to clarify your eligibility. In exceptional cases, international candidates with exceptional experience may be considered, but the stated requirement is strict.

Q2: What is the salary range for this position?

A2: The job description does not disclose a specific salary. Comparable senior corporate counsel roles in Munich, Germany, generally range from €100,000 to €140,000 depending on experience and company size. Brainlab also offers non-monetary benefits such as 30 vacation days, flexible working hours, hybrid work, and a company fitness studio. Your final package will depend on your negotiation and the salary expectation you include in your application.

Q3: How important is German language proficiency for this job?

A3: Critical. The job requires 'verhandlungssichere Deutsch- und Englischkenntnisse' (fluent, negotiation-level German and English). You will draft contracts in German, advise on German corporate law, and interact with German-speaking colleagues. Without near-native German skills, you will likely be filtered out during the initial screening.

Q4: Does Brainlab offer hybrid work options?

A4: Yes, the benefits section mentions flexible working hours and a hybrid working model within Germany. This means you can work part of the week from home and part from the Munich office. Please note the hybrid model is likely restricted to Germany, so remote work from India or other countries is not implied.