Intellectual Property Counsel

AeroVironment•Simi Valley, CA

15h

About The Position

Reporting to the Associate General Counsel, Intellectual Property, the Intellectual Property Counsel will manage and expand AeroVironment’s global intellectual property portfolio, with a focus on patents and trademarks covering uncrewed systems, munitions, robotics, autonomy, communications, and related technologies. The role works directly with company leadership and engineering, business, and compliance teams to shape and implement IP strategy in support of the organization’s strategic and growth objectives. The position requires substantive IP practice experience, the ability to work independently and collaboratively, and the ability to operate with significant autonomy under the guidance of more senior counsel. The role includes managing and developing domestic and international patent and trademark portfolios; assessing IP risks and conducting freedom-to-operate and clearance analyses; supporting patent and trademark prosecution, IP agreements, litigation, M&A due diligence, and U.S. government contract matters; and helping operate the CTO’s IP Management Committee. The position requires a J.D., U.S. state bar admission, USPTO patent attorney registration, a relevant technical degree, and at least five years of substantive IP practice experience. Occasional travel within the continental U.S. is required. The work is performed in an office environment. The position is subject to U.S. person/export-control eligibility requirements and may require the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance if required; the listed clearance level is No Clearance.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) 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 experience, 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 the company’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 with 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, 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.
Ability to travel occasionally 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); applicants must also meet applicable ITAR/EAR U.S.-person or export-license eligibility requirements.

Nice To Haves

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 potential paths, and adapt decision-making to circumstances.
Ability to develop and maintain trusted, professional internal and external relationships.
Ability to assess risks and opportunities, take appropriate mitigation action, and plan to 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; assist in developing 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, capturing action items, and driving follow-up activities.
Support IP litigation matters and related appeals, including management of outside IP litigation counsel.
Support IP aspects of mergers and acquisitions, including due diligence, IP valuation, and risk assessment.
Monitor changes in laws, regulations, and industry best practices to keep IP portfolio practices current.