Director, Intellectual Property – USG Data Rights

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California, +3 more states.

📋 Description

• Facilitate engagement with intellectual property (IP) within the organization.

• Deliver clear and timely guidance to senior management, general legal counsel, engineers, and commercial teams concerning patent, trade secret, trademark, copyright, and related dispute issues.

• Negotiate and provide advice on IP agreements as well as IP clauses in broader contracts with customers, suppliers, and partners.

• Create and execute IP strategies for key enterprises, products, and technologies that align with business goals.

• Address IP concerns throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Identify protectable inventions, evaluate invention disclosures, and prepare and prosecute patent applications.

• Safeguard trade secrets effectively.

• Evaluate and monitor third-party patents and applications for potential infringement and validity concerns.

• Analyze competitor products and advise on potential infringements of Collins Aerospace patents.

• Counsel senior management regarding possible infringement issues and oversee litigation when necessary.

• Implement existing IP department tools and policies while enhancing departmental processes.

• Utilize internal and external tools to optimize legal operations.

• Formulate SBU IP strategies that support business objectives.

• Review and clear IP-related materials for publication.

• Conduct IP due diligence for mergers and acquisitions.

• Address issues independently while consulting with the Chief IP Counsel and General Counsel when appropriate.

• Travel approximately 10% of the time.

⛳️ Requirements

• Generally requires a University Degree with a minimum of 14 years of relevant experience, or an Advanced Degree in a related field with at least 12 years of experience.

• U.S. citizenship is mandatory; only U.S. citizens are permitted to access information under this program/contract.

• Juris Doctor degree is required.

• Must be admitted to the Bar of one or more U.S. states.

• 5+ years of experience in IP law.

• Must be registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

• 5+ years of significant experience with U.S. Government Data Rights, including FAR, DFARS, and OTA.

• Aerospace industry experience is preferred.

• Experience in both law firm and in-house IP legal roles is preferred.

• Preferred experience in IP contract negotiations.

• Experience in patent preparation and prosecution, transactions, and litigation is preferred.

• Engineering experience is advantageous.

• Must be willing and able to travel 10% of the time.

• No security clearance is required.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees.

• 401(k) plan with employer matching funds and a separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option.

• Tuition reimbursement program.

• Student Loan Repayment Program.

• Life insurance and disability coverage.

• Optional pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, and identity theft protection.

• Benefits for birth, adoption, and parental leave.

• Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning services.

• Adoption Assistance.

• Autism Benefit.

• Employee Assistance Plan, which includes up to 10 free counseling sessions.

• Healthy You Incentives wellness rewards program.

• Doctor on Demand virtual doctor visits.

• Bright Horizons child and elder care services.

• Teladoc Medical Experts second opinion program.

• Eligibility for relocation assistance.

• Flexible work schedules.

• Employee Scholar Program.

• Paid time off and holidays.

• Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be available.