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

Intellectual Property Counseling

• Advise on patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, technology licensing, and related contractual issues.
• Collaborate with engineering, product, and business teams to identify and address IP risks and opportunities.

Patent Portfolio Strategy & Management

• Review invention disclosures and recommend patent filing and protection strategies aligned with business goals.
• Manage and develop portions of the global patent portfolio, working with inventors, outside counsel, and internal IP teams.
• Evaluate strategies for patent drafting, prosecution, defensive publication, and portfolio development.

Technology Transactions & Commercial Agreements

• Draft, review, and negotiate IP provisions in technology licenses, joint development agreements, collaboration agreements, and IP acquisition or divestiture transactions.
• Provide business-focused guidance on IP ownership, licensing, and risk allocation.

Mergers, Acquisitions & Strategic Initiatives

• Conduct IP due diligence for mergers, acquisitions, investments, and strategic transactions.
• Support integration of acquired IP assets and portfolios.
• Assess IP risks and opportunities related to corporate growth initiatives.

Freedom to Operate & Risk Assessment

• Identify and assess IP risks impacting product development, commercialization, and operations.
• Develop mitigation strategies and provide guidance on freedom-to-operate matters.

Emerging Technologies, AI & Open Source

• Advise on IP issues related to artificial intelligence, including inventorship, data rights, model-related IP, and emerging legal developments.
• Evaluate open-source software and third-party licensing compliance and recommend risk mitigation strategies.

Outside Counsel & IP Enforcement

• Manage outside counsel supporting patent, trademark, and related IP matters.
• Support enforcement and protection of IP rights, including infringement investigations and dispute management.

Requirements

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.
• USPTO Registered Patent Attorney.
• 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 across 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 with IP licensing, technology transactions, or commercial agreements.
• 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 the ability to obtain 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).
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts.
• 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

This role is based in the United States, with specific pay range information provided for Colorado.