IP and Regulatory Counsel

Code Metal • Washington, DC

2d • $180,000 - $230,000

About The Position

Code Metal is hiring an IP and Regulatory Counsel to help establish and grow its intellectual property and regulatory function. The role reports directly to the Head of Legal and partners closely with Engineering, Product, Research, Marketing, and other business teams. The counsel will protect and commercialize Code Metal’s technology and advise on the legal frameworks affecting its products, particularly in defense and national security environments.

The position focuses on building and managing global patent and trademark portfolios; drafting and prosecuting software and AI patent applications; advising on export controls and AI regulation; and reviewing external claims about product capabilities. The counsel will also handle government data rights, IP transactions and diligence, trade secret and open-source controls, brand protection, infringement matters, outside counsel, compliance policies, and training. The role offers broad exposure to the legal needs of a fast-moving company, and the company expects the candidate to learn and adapt across new issues as they arise.

Code Metal describes itself as a provider of automated software engineering based on independently verifying AI-generated work using formal methods. Founded in 2023, it has offices in Boston and San Francisco and serves customers including the U.S. Air Force, L3Harris, RTX, and Toshiba.

Requirements

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with the bar of the state where the candidate’s office is located (California, the District of Columbia, or Massachusetts), or eligibility to register as in-house counsel in one of those jurisdictions.
• Four to eight years of relevant patent and trademark experience; more senior candidates are encouraged to apply and the role may be scoped to experience.
• Registration to practice before the USPTO.
• A degree in computer science, electrical or computer engineering, mathematics, or a related technical field, plus demonstrated experience drafting and prosecuting software or AI patent applications.
• Experience with IP transactional work, including licensing, portfolio management, and diligence.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, analytical, and communication skills, with the ability to provide clear, timely guidance to engineers and business stakeholders.
• Ability to learn independently, contribute across a broad startup legal function, and manage multiple priorities and stakeholders.
• Must be a U.S. Person because the role requires access to U.S. export-controlled information under ITAR/EAR.

Nice To Haves

• A combination of law-firm and in-house or government experience.
• Experience at, or advising, a technology, defense, aerospace, or hardware company, and comfort working with engineers and technical teams.
• Familiarity with procurement vehicles and frameworks such as GSA schedules, GWACs, IDIQs, BPAs, OTAs, and SBIR/STTR, and with subcontracting structures.
• Familiarity with FedRAMP, CMMC, NIST SP 800-171, and DFARS cybersecurity clauses.
• Experience advising on ITAR/EAR export controls, data rights, and government software licensing.
• Independent interest in the law and policy of defense acquisition and national-security technology.

Responsibilities

• Build and manage global patent and trademark portfolios, including filing strategy, prosecution, docketing, renewals, and portfolio decisions in the U.S. and key international markets.
• Draft and prosecute patent applications concerning software, AI and machine learning systems, compilers, code translation, verification methods, and related technologies; respond to USPTO office actions, including subject matter eligibility rejections.
• Work with Engineering and Research on invention disclosures, patentability assessments, protection choices, and the company’s patent review process.
• Advise on ITAR and EAR export control compliance, including jurisdiction and classification of software, models, and technical data; handle classification requests, license applications, and technology control plans, and manage outside specialists as needed.
• Advise on AI regulation, including federal and Department of Defense policy, state AI laws, and international frameworks such as the EU AI Act, and translate developments into practical product and go-to-market guidance.
• Review marketing, sales, and proposal materials and support substantiation of claims about the technology’s performance, accuracy, and verification capabilities.
• Own data rights assertions, markings, and IP protection strategy under FAR, DFARS, and SBIR/STTR, working with Commercial Counsel on negotiations.
• Prepare, review, negotiate, and administer IP agreements, including licenses, joint development and sponsored research agreements, CRADAs, federal lab and university collaborations, confidentiality agreements, and IP assignments.
• Conduct IP due diligence for acquisitions, partnerships, and strategic investments, and support post-close integration of acquired IP.
• Conduct freedom-to-operate analyses and trademark clearance for new products, features, and brand names, and advise the business on findings.
• Maintain confidentiality, invention assignment, and trade secret protection infrastructure, including open-source policies and controls on AI training data and model outputs.
• Support brand protection, including trademark oppositions, domain disputes, and enforcement actions.
• Advise on infringement risk, enforcement strategy, and third-party claims, and support PTAB proceedings and litigation as needed.
• Select and manage outside patent, trademark, export control, and litigation counsel, including oversight of scope, quality, and budget.
• Develop corporate IP and regulatory compliance policies and deliver practical training to technical and commercial teams.
• Monitor third-party filings and developments in IP law, export controls, and AI and technology policy, and advise the business on resulting risks and opportunities.

Benefits

• Health care plan with 100% premium coverage, including medical, dental, and vision.
• 401(k) with 5% matching.
• Uncapped vacation, plus sick leave and public holidays.
• Flexible hybrid or remote work arrangement.
• Relocation assistance for qualifying employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree