Lead Counsel, IP

Zipline • South San Francisco, CA

6h

About The Position

Zipline is the world’s largest and most experienced drone delivery service, aiming to serve all humans equally by ensuring access to food, medicine, and essential goods anytime, anywhere. They design, build, and operate the world’s largest autonomous logistics system, delivering critical supplies quickly and reliably across four continents. Zipline operates on a global scale and is looking for practical problem solvers who thrive on real-world challenges and rapid growth. The legal team is seeking an experienced counsel to lead global IP portfolio initiatives, including patent and other intellectual property matters. This role involves partnering closely with cross-functional stakeholders in Hardware, Autonomy, Software, and Product, and reporting to Zipline’s Deputy General Counsel, Corporate.

Requirements

• Involved in every stage of the patent lifecycle from strategy, claims architecture, prosecution, freedom to operate negotiations and IP litigation.
• Experience with the IP aspects of commercial deals.
• Confidence to work independently and judgment to recognize when issues require escalation or input from others.
• Proactive and pragmatic problem solver - seeing risks and potential issues before they arise and proposing effective solutions.
• A positive attitude and the willingness to collaborate with a broad range of stakeholders.
• At least 10+ years of combined IP experience at innovative technology companies and law firms.
• JD Degree required.
• Member in good standing of at least one state bar.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Deep knowledge of IP.
• Passion for patents.
• Positive attitude.

Responsibilities

• Set and execute the strategic direction and management of our global IP portfolio while managing outside counsel as strategically appropriate.
• Own the strategy that will determine where Zipline invests in patents by becoming an expert on the patent landscape, ultimately accelerating Zipline’s lead in autonomous scaled flight.
• Be hands on where it counts, whether it is the details of a claimset, holding external counsel to incredibly high standards for drafting, or going deep to understand how a part of our system works to arrive at the right strategic decision for the portfolio.
• Work closely with our product and engineering teams, including training them on patentability and regularly meeting to understand what IP Zipline is developing on all fronts.
• Create scalable processes internally and externally with outside counsel to build, maintain and protect our IP portfolio.
• Provide direct client counseling on IP issues arising from product development.
• Develop and maintain internal IP policies and programs.

What This Job Offers

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