Intellectual Property Counsel

AeroVironment•Arlington, VA

1d•$139,000 - $236,500

About The Position

Reporting to the Associate General Counsel, Intellectual Property, the Intellectual Property (IP) Counsel will 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 Counsel will work with leadership, engineering, business, and compliance teams to shape and implement IP strategy in support of the company’s strategic and growth objectives. The position calls for at least five years of substantive IP practice and the ability to work independently and cross-functionally with significant autonomy under the guidance of more senior counsel. The role includes patent and trademark prosecution and portfolio management, invention harvesting, IP risk assessment, commercial agreement support, advice on IP rights in government contracts and commercial relationships, litigation support, and assistance with IP matters in mergers and acquisitions. The position requires a J.D., admission to a U.S. state bar, USPTO patent attorney registration, and a relevant technical degree. Occasional travel within the continental U.S. is required. The salary range is $139,000–$236,500. The role is regular, and the position requires eligibility to meet applicable U.S. person and export-control requirements.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school.
Admission to at least one U.S. state bar in good standing.
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 involving data rights, FAR, DFARS, CRADAs, SBIRs, or related matters.
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 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 explain complex topics clearly and concisely 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 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), is required; alternatively, applicants may need to qualify for an export license under applicable ITAR/EAR requirements.
Occasional travel within the continental U.S.

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 immediate situations, consider multiple paths, and adapt decision-making to circumstances.
Ability to develop and maintain trusting, professional internal and external relationships.
Ability to assess risks and opportunities and take appropriate action to mitigate risks or build on opportunities.

Responsibilities

Work with inventors and outside counsel to prepare, file, and prosecute patent and trademark applications before the USPTO and foreign patent offices.
Conduct invention harvesting sessions and work with engineering, product, and business teams to identify and protect key innovations.
Assist the Associate General Counsel for IP in managing and strategically developing domestic and international patent and trademark portfolios in line with business objectives.
Support the CTO’s IP Management Committee, including managing IP prosecution budgets, preparing agendas and materials, recording action items, and driving follow-up activities.
Monitor changes in laws, regulations, and industry best practices affecting IP portfolio practices.
Evaluate IP risks, including freedom-to-operate and clearance analyses for new products and technologies.
Conduct infringement, validity, and prior art analyses and assist in preparing written opinions and risk assessments.
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 complex commercial relationships and U.S. government contracts.
Support patent, trademark, and trade secret litigation and related appeals, including managing outside IP litigation counsel.
Support IP aspects of mergers and acquisitions, including due diligence, IP valuation, and risk assessment.
Provide occasional travel within the continental U.S.