Director, IP Strategy

Archer • San Jose, CA

16h • $250,000 - $300,000

About The Position

Archer is an aerospace company based in San Jose, California building an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft with a mission to advance the benefits of sustainable air mobility. We are designing, manufacturing, and operating an all-electric aircraft that can carry four passengers while producing minimal noise.
Our sights are set high and our problems are hard, and we believe that diversity in the workplace is what makes us smarter, drives better insights, and will ultimately lift us all to success. We are dedicated to cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment that embraces our differences, and supports and celebrates all of our team members.
Archer is growing its world-class team of experienced legal problem solvers to help bring sustainable, electrified, and autonomous air travel to the world. We seek applicants who will embrace and thrive in our culture: collaborative, collegial, non-hierarchical, diverse perspectives, productive, speedy, and adaptable. As a core element of its business strategy, Archer is building the world’s most valuable intellectual property (IP) portfolio for next generation aerospace, defense, and software markets, including artificial intelligence (AI) aviation products, airport infrastructure, and airline products.
You will work on cutting-edge technical, product and intellectual property issues in a fast-paced environment, so we are seeking ambitious candidates who work hard, move quickly, and want to play a significant role in contributing to the company’s growth as a market leader in vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, infrastructure, and operations. The position will report to the SVP, IP Strategy, and work closely with stakeholders at all levels to drive strategic and operational initiatives.

Requirements

• 8-12 years of substantive patent prosecution, counseling, and/or litigation experience, with at least 3 of those years with an operating company or agency (not a law firm).
• Technical degree in at least one of the following disciplines: physics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or computer science.
• Support supply chain and commercial legal team on types of commercial contracts including component parts, raw materials, and equipment purchase and lease agreements, joint development agreements, and manufacturing agreements.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written), including the ability to relay complex information quickly and effectively in an efficient and easily understandable format.
• Must be a self-starter with the ability to be proactive, work independently, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and exercise sound business judgment.
• Experience successfully performing in high-pressure and ambiguous environments.
• Authorized to practice law in a US state, or equivalent substantial IP experience (e.g., patent agent, patent examiner, senior engineer with experience or aptitude in IP).
• Archer is unable to provide work visa sponsorship for this position at the present time.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in automotive, aerospace, defense, manufacturing, or AI.
• Sense of humor!

Responsibilities

• Keep pace with Archer product plans and competitor roadmaps.
• Develop and implement the commercial IP strategies for each product and market segment.
• Educate engineers on IP and manage a flow of invention disclosures, trade secrets, and domestic/international patent filings in electric/hybrid aerospace and airport/airline infrastructure systems, components, and operations, including flight controls, propellers, electric engine, powertrain, high volume manufacturing, test & instrumentation, artificial intelligence, and software.
• Manage a significant part of the rapidly growing Archer patent portfolio, including conducting patentability assessments, and managing relationships with outside counsel.
• Support IP related contractual provisions of supply agreements for parts and raw materials, equipment purchase and lease agreements, manufacturing agreements, joint development agreements, intellectual property (IP) licenses, acquisitions, and other transactions.
• Support M&A due-diligence, third party IP litigation and dispute-resolution efforts.
• Support continuous improvement of Archer IP processes to keep ahead of industry best-practices.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director