Director, Intellectual Property

Entegris•Burnet, TX

22h•$185,000 - $250,000

About The Position

The Director, Intellectual Property serves as an enterprise expert and principal advisor on intellectual property strategy, guiding decisions that affect Entegris’ innovation, growth, and competitive position. The role leads global IP strategy and addresses complex legal and business challenges while shaping how the company protects and maximizes the value of its intellectual assets. As a senior member of the Legal organization, the Director partners with executive leadership, business leaders, R&D teams, and external stakeholders to align IP strategy with business objectives and future technology investments. The role also serves as an embedded IP partner to designated business units, integrating IP considerations throughout ideation, product development, and commercialization. The position leads critical patent, trade secret, licensing, technology transfer, and dispute-related matters; oversees patent portfolio strategy and outside counsel; and provides practical recommendations on IP risks and opportunities. The stated pay range is $185,000–$250,000, commensurate with experience.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
Admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
Typically 7+ years of progressive intellectual property experience in a law firm, corporate legal department, or a combination of both.
Experience developing and leading IP strategy for technology-driven organizations.
Extensive experience in patent portfolio management, licensing, freedom-to-operate analysis, IP transactions, and dispute management.
Demonstrated experience preparing and prosecuting U.S. and international patent applications and directing patent agents and outside counsel.
Experience negotiating IP terms in joint development, licensing, university, collaboration, and technology transfer agreements.
Experience supporting global operations and international IP portfolios.
Expert knowledge of U.S. and international intellectual property law and practice.
Exceptional strategic thinking and business acumen, including the ability to connect IP strategy to long-term business objectives and market opportunities.
Ability to translate complex IP issues, patent analytics, and competitive intelligence into clear, actionable business recommendations.
Ability to partner directly with business and R&D leadership and influence innovation, product development, and commercialization strategy.
Strong executive presence and ability to influence senior leaders and key stakeholders.
Exceptional communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
Ability to lead complex, enterprise-wide initiatives through influence and expertise.
Ability to make sound decisions in ambiguous, high-risk, and rapidly changing environments.
Capability to mentor, coach, and develop legal and technical professionals.

Nice To Haves

Registered Patent Attorney status with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
Semiconductor, advanced materials, manufacturing, life sciences, or related industry experience.

Responsibilities

Advise executive leadership on intellectual property strategy, risk management, and portfolio optimization for critical business units.
Develop and lead enterprise-wide IP strategies supporting business growth, innovation priorities, and competitive differentiation.
Develop strategic approaches to complex IP matters involving incomplete information, significant risks, and broad organizational impact.
Lead critical patent, trade secret, licensing, technology transfer, and dispute-related matters.
Drive IP strategy for emerging technologies and future innovation initiatives.
Monitor legal, regulatory, and competitive developments affecting the company’s IP position and recommend proactive actions.
Partner with legal, business, engineering, and R&D teams to integrate IP considerations into strategic planning.
Serve as the IP partner to assigned business units and participate in technology roadmap, portfolio, and new product development reviews.
Lead invention harvesting, filing strategy, drafting, prosecution, and portfolio pruning in alignment with business priorities, product roadmaps, and revenue opportunities.
Direct patent agents, technical subject matter experts, and outside counsel on U.S. and international patent and related IP matters.
Lead freedom-to-operate, patentability, validity, clearance, and competitive landscape assessments and provide written recommendations for product development and commercialization.
Structure and negotiate IP provisions in joint development, university, licensing, technology transfer, collaboration, and other commercial agreements.
Support offensive and defensive IP disputes, including infringement detection, enforcement strategy, litigation, and trade secret protection.
Commission patent landscape, whitespace, and competitor analyses.
Train inventors and business teams on invention disclosure quality, trade secret hygiene, and IP risk awareness.
Represent Entegris in high-impact engagements with customers, partners, universities, industry organizations, and outside counsel.