Mid-Level Intellectual Property Attorney

BorgWarner•Auburn Hills, MI

About The Position

We are seeking a business savvy, analytically driven Mid Level Intellectual Property Attorney to play a strategic role in shaping BorgWarner’s global patent portfolio. This position will lead core IP analyses, support long term patent portfolio strategy, conduct freedom to operate assessments, and execute complex IP projects under the guidance of Chief IP Counsel and Senior IP Attorney. The ideal candidate blends strong legal expertise with the ability to translate technical and analytical insights into actionable recommendations that influence engineering, product development, and corporate strategy.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
Licensed to practice law in the United States.
Admission to practice before the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO).
5–10 years of experience in IP law, including patent drafting, prosecution, and advising technical teams.
Demonstrated experience in IP risk analysis, portfolio management, and patent strategy.
Strong communication, analytical, and project management skills.
Strong drive to learn and expand knowledge/skills necessary to meet new challenges
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced technical environment.

Nice To Haves

Technical degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field.
Experience in IP issues relevant to the automotive or mobility technology sector.
Hands‑on experience with IP analytics tools and competitive intelligence platforms.
Proven ability to support strategic IP portfolio decision‑making.

Responsibilities

Strategic IP Portfolio Development Lead and contribute to strategic development of BorgWarner’s patent portfolio, aligning patent coverage with technology roadmaps and business priorities.
Partner with inventors, engineers, and technical leaders to identify high‑value innovations and ensure strong, defensible filings.
Proactively assess portfolio strength, gaps, and opportunities for strategic expansion.
Analytics & Competitive Intelligence Conduct and present IP competitive landscapes, including whitespace analysis, technology trend mapping, and competitor benchmarking.
Utilize IP analytics tools to deliver insights that inform filing strategies, R&D investment decisions, and response to competitive activity.
Prepare clear summaries that convert data into actionable directions for engineering and business leadership.
Freedom‑to‑Operate & IP Risk Guidance Manage freedom‑to‑operate (FTO) evaluations to assess potential risks and support product development decisions.
Advise engineering and business teams on third‑party patent risks, providing strategic mitigation recommendations.
Project-Based IP Support Under Senior IP Attorney Guidance Execute IP projects under the guidance of Chief IP Counsel and Senior IP Attorney, including: IP due diligence for mergers, acquisitions, and technology partnerships Licensing and collaboration evaluations IP litigation support NDA and confidentiality process support
Partner with Chief IP Counsel and Senior IP Attorney on cross-functional strategic initiatives.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Training Serve as an IP advisor to engineering and product teams, providing training to enhance innovation quality and IP awareness.
Foster strong cross‑functional relationships to ensure smooth integration of IP strategy into technology development.
Communicate complex concepts in business‑friendly language to facilitate informed decision‑making.