Intellectual Property Counsel
About The Position
Reporting to the Associate General Counsel, Intellectual Property, the Intellectual Property Counsel will help manage and expand AeroVironment’s global intellectual property portfolio, focusing on patents and trademarks covering uncrewed systems, munitions, robotics, autonomy, communications, and related technologies. The role works with company leadership and engineering, business, and compliance teams to shape and implement IP strategy in support of organizational objectives. The role calls for at least five years of substantive IP practice, including patent and trademark prosecution, portfolio management, IP transactions, and support for U.S. government contracts. The counsel is expected to work independently and collaboratively, exercising significant autonomy under the guidance of more senior counsel.
Requirements
- Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
- Admission in good standing to at least one U.S. state bar.
- At least five years of substantive IP practice, including patent and trademark portfolio prosecution and management, IP litigation, licensing and technology agreements, and U.S. government contracts (including data rights, FAR, DFARS, CRADAs, and SBIRs).
- Registration to practice before the USPTO as a patent attorney.
- A technical degree and significant experience with technologies relevant to AeroVironment’s business, such as aerospace, mechanical or electrical engineering, robotics, systems engineering, computer systems and software, communications, autonomy, or artificial intelligence.
- Ability to learn quickly and assist and advise on non-IP legal matters.
- Strong business acumen and ability to balance competing demands and priorities.
- Excellent analytical, communication, and project-management skills, including the ability to provide clear and concise advice on complex topics to business partners and senior leadership.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance if required.
- Proficiency in MS Office and other office productivity software.
- Occasional travel within the continental U.S.
- Ability to work in an office environment.
- U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or qualifying asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3); the ITAR/EAR section also allows a person approved for an export license, subject to the stated conditions.
Nice To Haves
- A combination of law-firm and in-house or U.S. government experience.
- Experience working with or for a technology-driven company, preferably in aerospace, defense, or a related field.
- Ability to think beyond the immediate situation, explore possible paths, and adapt decision-making to circumstances.
- Ability to develop and maintain trusting, professional internal and external relationships.
- Ability to assess risk and opportunity, mitigate risk, and build on opportunities.
Responsibilities
- Assist the Associate General Counsel – IP in managing and strategically developing domestic and international patent and trademark portfolios in alignment with business objectives.
- Evaluate IP risk, including freedom-to-operate and clearance analyses for new products and technologies.
- Conduct infringement, validity, and prior-art analyses and assist with written opinions and risk assessments.
- Conduct invention-harvesting sessions and work with engineering, product, and business teams to identify and protect innovations.
- Work with outside counsel to prepare, file, and prosecute patent and trademark applications before the USPTO and foreign patent offices.
- Draft, review, and negotiate IP-related agreements, including licenses, joint development agreements, NDAs, technology transfer agreements, and collaboration agreements.
- Advise on IP ownership, assignment, and rights allocation in commercial relationships and U.S. government contracts.
- Support the CTO’s IP Management Committee, including managing IP budgets, preparing agendas and materials, recording action items, and driving follow-up activities.
- Support IP litigation and related appeals, including management of outside IP litigation counsel.
- Support IP aspects of mergers and acquisitions, including due diligence, valuation, and risk assessment.
- Monitor changes in laws, regulations, and industry best practices relevant to IP portfolio practices.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
- 401(k) with company matching.
- A 9/80 work schedule.
- Paid holiday shutdown.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
