Job description
NovaTech Innovations is seeking a Senior Intellectual Property Counsel to join our San Francisco team. You will be pivotal in shaping the company’s IP strategy for a rapidly expanding portfolio of hardware and software innovations. This is a hands-on, high-impact role that collaborates across R&D, Product, and Business units to protect and maximize the value of our IP assets.
As a trusted partner to senior leadership, you will lead global patent and trademark strategy, oversee external counsel, and drive licensing and diligence initiatives that accelerate growth while mitigating risk.
Join us to influence the technology lifecycle from ideation to monetization in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
Responsibility
- Lead the development and execution of global IP strategy across patents, trademarks, and trade secrets.
- Oversee patent portfolio management, including drafting, filing, prosecution, and ongoing maintenance.
- Coordinate with R&D and Product teams to identify patentable inventions and conduct Freedom-to-Operate analyses.
- Supervise and collaborate with outside counsel on high-stakes patent litigation, opposition, and licensing matters.
- Manage IP-related due diligence for mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, and technology licensing deals.
- Oversee trademark clearance, registration, and enforcement worldwide; monitor brand protection and enforcement actions.
- Develop IP policies, training, and processes to educate and empower cross-functional teams.
- Represent the company in executive briefings, cross-functional meetings, and external IP forums.
Qualification
- Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school and active bar admission in the United States.
- Minimum 6-9 years of intellectual property experience, preferably in tech, software, or hardware sectors.
- Proven track record in patent drafting, prosecution, and portfolio management for US and international filings.
- Strong expertise in trademark clearance, filing, enforcement, and IP licensing negotiations.
- Excellent analytical, negotiation, and communication skills; ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage external counsel.
- Experience with FTO analyses, IP due diligence for transactions, and risk assessment.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment with strong project management skills.
- Preferred: IP-focused LLM or technical degree in computer science or engineering; USPTO patent bar.