Intellectual Property Counsel

Overview

A global technology leader is seeking an experienced Intellectual Property Counsel to join its expanding global IP organization. This role involves supporting the company's innovation strategy and growth by managing a broad range of intellectual property matters. The position offers the opportunity to work closely with engineers, business leaders, and legal colleagues to protect and maximize the value of innovations across communications, aerospace and defense, semiconductor, software, and emerging markets.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on intellectual property matters including patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, technology licensing, and related contracts.
• Collaborate with engineering, product, and business teams to identify and mitigate IP risks and capitalize on opportunities.
• Review invention disclosures and recommend patent filing and protection strategies aligned with business goals.
• Manage and develop portions of the global patent portfolio in coordination with inventors, outside counsel, and internal IP teams.
• Evaluate strategies for patent drafting, prosecution, defensive publication, and portfolio development.
• Draft, review, and negotiate IP provisions in technology licenses, joint development agreements, collaborations, and IP acquisition or divestiture transactions.
• Provide practical guidance on IP ownership, licensing, and risk allocation.
• Conduct IP due diligence for mergers, acquisitions, investments, and strategic transactions.
• Support integration of acquired IP assets and assess IP risks and opportunities related to corporate growth initiatives.
• Identify and assess IP risks affecting product development, commercialization, and operations; develop mitigation strategies.
• Advise on IP issues related to emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, data rights, and open-source software compliance.
• Manage outside counsel handling patent, trademark, and related IP matters.
• Support enforcement and protection of IP rights, including infringement investigations and dispute management.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) or LLM from an accredited law school with an active license to practice law in at least one U.S. state.
• Registered Patent Attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
• Minimum of 8 years of intellectual property legal experience, including patent preparation and prosecution, portfolio management, IP transactions, or technology licensing.
• Proven ability to advise technical and business stakeholders on complex IP matters.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of engaging technical, business, and legal audiences.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within cross-functional and global teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and comfort using web-based technologies and Generative AI tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Technical degree in engineering, computer science, physics, electrical engineering, or related discipline.
• Prior in-house counsel experience in a technology-driven organization.
• Experience supporting engineering, software, communications, semiconductor, test and measurement, or innovation-focused businesses.
• Familiarity with open-source compliance, AI-related IP issues, and IP aspects of mergers and acquisitions.
• Experience managing outside counsel and mentoring junior legal or IP professionals.

Compliance and Legal Requirements

• This position requires access to goods, software, technology, or technical data subject to U.S. export control laws.
• Employment for non-U.S. persons is contingent on obtaining required government authorizations.
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range for Colorado: $181,650 to $302,750 (may vary by location).
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Flexible Spending Accounts for health care and dependent care.
• Life, accident, and disability insurance.
• Business travel accident and health coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Flexible time off and paid holidays.
• Paid family leave.
• Employee discounts and perks.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Adoption assistance.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).

Location

• Position location details not specified; pay range example provided for Colorado.

This role offers broad exposure to senior leadership, cutting-edge technologies, and high-impact business initiatives within a collaborative intellectual property team.