Senior Intellectual Property Counsel - (B5)

Applied Materials • Santa Clara, CA

11d • $212,000 - $291,500 • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a highly technical, hands-on Patent Counsel to support advanced and emerging technology initiatives within the company’s R&D and technology organizations. Reporting into the IP Legal team, this role partners closely with engineering teams, business leadership, and senior IP counsel to support the development and execution of IP strategies that protect innovation and enable long-term competitive advantage. The position requires strong technical depth, a practical and execution-oriented mindset, and the ability to operate effectively in fast-evolving, pre-product environments.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Active U.S. state bar membership in good standing (California preferred, not required).
• Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
• Technical degree in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related field.
• 6-10 years of intellectual property legal experience in a law firm and/or in-house setting, including:
• U.S. and international patent portfolio development and management, including prosecution strategy and global coordination.
• Conducting IP landscape analyses and freedom-to-operate assessments.
• Supporting IP aspects of technology, licensing, or collaboration agreements.
• IP laws and practices in Asia, including China, Korea, and Taiwan.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced technical degree (MS or PhD) in a relevant discipline
• Experience working with advanced R&D or CTO-type organizations, supporting early-stage or pre-product technologies
• Experience with semiconductor or adjacent technologies (e.g., advanced packaging, photonics, optoelectronics, or quantum-related technologies)
• Experience supporting IP enforcement or dispute strategies, including invalidity and infringement analysis
• Familiarity with global patent operations, including portfolio management, budgeting, and outside counsel oversight
• Experience advising on or managing IP portfolios related to semiconductors or emerging technologies (e.g., photonics, optoelectronics, advanced packaging, or quantum-related technologies)

Responsibilities

• Provide IP counsel to engineering and business teams across patents, trade secrets, and other IP matters, aligned with business and technology objectives.
• Conduct IP landscape analyses, freedom-to-operate assessments, and risk evaluations, translating findings into actionable guidance for technical and business stakeholders.
• Support development and execution of IP strategies aligned to key product and business drivers (e.g., performance, cost, cycle time), identifying opportunities to strengthen competitive positioning.
• Manage and develop patent portfolios for assigned programs, including invention capture, prosecution strategy, foreign filing decisions, and outside counsel coordination.
• Apply & support patent vs. trade secret decision frameworks, assisting in evaluating disclosure risks and supporting implementation of trade secret protection practices.
• Partner with cross-functional teams (e.g., commercial legal, engineering, supply chain) to support IP aspects of agreements, collaborations, and ecosystem engagements.
• Support IP enforcement and defensive activities, including claim analysis, prior art review, and collaboration with litigation counsel.
• Contribute to IP process improvements, training initiatives, and best practices to enhance protection of proprietary technologies.

Benefits

• supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop, and grow your career
• comprehensive benefits package
• participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior