Director, Intellectual Property – USG Data Rights

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in North Carolina.

📋 Description

• Facilitate IP engagement across the organization.

• Offer clear and prompt IP guidance to senior management, general counsel, engineers, and commercial teams.

• Provide counsel on patent, trade secret, trademark, and copyright laws, as well as related disputes.

• Negotiate and advise on IP agreements, including aspects related to customer, supplier, and partner contracts.

• Craft and implement IP strategies for important enterprises, products, and technologies.

• Address IP concerns throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Identify protectable inventions, evaluate invention disclosures, prepare and manage patent applications, and safeguard trade secrets.

• Monitor and evaluate third-party patents and applications for infringement risks and validity.

• Keep track of competitor products and provide insights on whether they infringe upon Collins Aerospace patents.

• Counsel senior management on potential infringement matters and oversee litigation as necessary.

• Execute IP department tools and policies while enhancing departmental processes.

• Utilize both internal and external tools to optimize legal operations.

• Formulate SBU IP strategies that align with business objectives.

• Review and approve IP-related materials for publication.

• Conduct IP due diligence in M&A activities.

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

⛳️ Requirements

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

• U.S. citizenship is mandatory.

• A Juris Doctor degree is required.

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

• A minimum of 5 years of IP legal experience is necessary.

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

• Requires 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 advantageous.

• Preferred experience in IP contract negotiations.

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

• Engineering experience is a plus.

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

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees.

• 401(k) plan with employer matching contributions and additional employer retirement contributions.

• Lifetime Income Strategy option available.

• Tuition reimbursement program offered.

• Student Loan Repayment Program available.

• Life insurance and disability coverage included.

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

• Benefits for birth, adoption, and parental leave.

• Ovia Health services for fertility and family planning.

• Adoption Assistance program available.

• Autism Benefit included.

• Employee Assistance Plan providing up to 10 free counseling sessions.

• Healthy You Incentives wellness rewards program.

• Access to Doctor on Demand for virtual medical consultations.

• Bright Horizons child and elder care services provided.

• Teladoc Medical Experts program for second opinions.

• Eligibility for relocation assistance.

• Flexible work schedules available.

• Employee Scholar Program offered.

• Paid time off and holidays included.

• Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be available, though payments are not guaranteed.