Job description
NovaTech Innovations is seeking a Senior Intellectual Property Counsel to lead our global IP program for cutting-edge hardware and software technologies. You will partner with research, engineering, and product teams to protect our innovations, manage risk, and accelerate commercial opportunities.
This role combines strategic IP leadership with hands-on patent and trademark work, portfolio planning, due diligence for partnerships and M&A, and collaboration with external counsel as needed. You will help shape our product roadmap by identifying IP risks and opportunities, and you will mentor junior team members to build a high-impact IP function.
Responsibility
- Lead the development and execution of the company's global IP strategy across patents, trademarks, and trade secrets.
- Oversee patent procurement worldwide: drafting, filing, prosecution, and responding to office actions; manage foreign filings.
- Manage trademark clearance, registration, maintenance, and enforcement to protect brand assets.
- Conduct freedom-to-operate analyses, IP risk assessments, and competitive landscaping for new products.
- Provide strategic guidance on licensing, technology transfer, and collaboration agreements; support transactional matters.
- Coordinate IP due diligence for partnerships, investments, and M&A; liaise with external counsel as needed.
- Mentor and develop junior IP attorneys and patent agents; promote cross-functional collaboration with R&D, product, and marketing teams.
- Ensure IP governance and compliance, including open-source licensing and internal policy adherence.
Qualification
- Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school; active bar admission in Massachusetts or another US jurisdiction.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in intellectual property law, with strong patent prosecution and portfolio management experience; tech-focused background preferred.
- USPTO registration or patent bar; MA Bar preferred but not required.
- Technical degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or related fields; or a life sciences background for biotech emphasis.
- Proven track record drafting and prosecuting US and international patent applications; experience with AI, software, hardware is a plus.
- Trademark experience and familiarity with licensing, technology transfer, and transactional IP work.
- Excellent written and oral communication, negotiation, and strategic thinking skills.
- Ability to work cross-functionally with R&D, product, and business teams; demonstrated leadership and mentoring abilities.