Director, Intellectual Property

Entegris•Austin, TX

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. This senior member of the Legal organization leads the development and execution of global IP strategies and addresses complex legal and business challenges related to protecting and maximizing the value of the company's intellectual assets. The role partners with executive leadership, business leaders, R&D teams, and external stakeholders to align IP strategy with business objectives and future technology investments. It also serves as an embedded IP partner to designated business units, integrating IP considerations from ideation and new product development through commercialization. The position leads critical patent, trade secret, licensing, technology transfer, and dispute-related matters and supports the company's innovation and commercial objectives.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
Admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
Typically 7 or more years of progressive intellectual property experience in a law firm, corporate legal department, or 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.
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 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.
Proven ability to lead complex, enterprise-wide initiatives through influence and expertise.
Ability to make sound decisions in ambiguous, high-risk, and rapidly changing environments.
Ability 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 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 long-term growth, innovation priorities, and competitive differentiation.
Shape strategic responses 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.
Anticipate legal, regulatory, and competitive developments affecting the company's IP position and recommend proactive actions.
Partner across legal, business, engineering, and R&D functions to integrate IP considerations into strategic planning.
Serve as the dedicated 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 preparation, prosecution, maintenance, and related IP matters.
Lead freedom-to-operate, patentability, validity, clearance, and competitive landscape assessments, and provide practical written recommendations.
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.