Sr. Counsel, Intellectual Property

Azenta•Burlington, MA

14h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Sr. Counsel, Intellectual Property is a senior individual contributor responsible for the strategic management, protection, and enforcement of Azenta’s global intellectual property portfolio. This role encompasses the full spectrum of IP disciplines (utility and design patents, trade secrets, trademarks, and copyrights), spans the complete IP lifecycle from procurement through enforcement and monetization, and collaborates cross-functionally to ensure our freedom to operate and secure contractually sound positions with suppliers, customers, and technology partners. Reporting to the Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, the Sr. Counsel, IP will serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, R&D, product management, and business development teams on all IP matters. The successful candidate will be a proactive, strategic thinker who combines deep technical IP expertise with strong business acumen, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage a high volume of work with efficiency and sound judgment.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school.
Active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar.
Registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
10+ years of progressive experience in intellectual property law, with top tier law firm experience preferred.
Demonstrated experience managing a global patent portfolio, including patent strategy development, prosecution oversight, and outside counsel management.
Substantive experience conducting or overseeing freedom-to-operate, patentability, validity, and landscape analyses.
Transactional IP experience, including in and out-licensing, strategic transactions, and IP diligence in M&A.
Experience with IP enforcement, including infringement analysis and management of IP litigation or post-grant proceedings.
Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree in a scientific or engineering discipline (e.g., biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, chemistry, biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, or a related field).
Familiarity with AI-powered IP tools and a demonstrated commitment to leveraging technology to improve efficiency and quality of IP work product.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex IP concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally in a global organization.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrable experience with IP in the life sciences tools, diagnostics, or biotechnology space, including technologies such as genomics, sample management/automation, cryogenics, laboratory instrumentation, LIMS/software, or related fields.
Experience with trademark portfolio management and brand protection strategies.
Experience with trade secret programs, including development and implementation of trade secret identification, protection, and audit frameworks.

Responsibilities

Manage Azenta’s global patent portfolio, including developing and maintaining an in-depth understanding of the portfolio’s strengths, gaps, and strategic opportunities relative to the company’s current and future product roadmap and business trajectory.
Develop and implement near-term and long-term patent strategies to optimize portfolio coverage in technology areas critical to the company’s growth — including automated sample management, cryogenic storage systems, biorepository operations, genomic sequencing and synthesis, LIMS/informatics, and related hardware and software innovations.
Oversee and lead the company’s IP Steering Committee, facilitating cross-functional patent review meetings to evaluate invention disclosures, prioritize filings, and align IP investment with strategic business direction.
Drive patent harvesting and invention mining activities by engaging proactively with R&D and engineering teams to identify patentable innovations, solicit invention disclosures, and conduct inventor interviews.
Select, retain, and manage outside patent counsel for global prosecution activities, maintaining focus on quality, strategic alignment, cost control, and timely execution.
Oversee the preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of patent and trademark applications worldwide, both through direct oversight and through management of outside counsel.
Conduct and oversee freedom-to-operate (FTO) analyses in support of new product launches, technology development initiatives, and commercial activities to ensure Azenta can operate without infringing third-party IP rights.
Develop, coordinate, and review IP search and analysis projects, including patentability, validity, landscape, FTO, and product clearance analyses.
Monitor the competitive patent landscape in Azenta’s key technology and market areas, identifying potential risks and opportunities and advising leadership accordingly.
Identify and assess potential infringement of Azenta’s IP rights by competitors and other third parties; develop and execute enforcement strategies, including cease-and-desist actions, licensing negotiations, and litigation when appropriate.
Support and manage IP-related litigation, including patent infringement actions, inter partes reviews (IPRs), post-grant proceedings, and foreign oppositions, in coordination with outside litigation counsel.
Provide IP litigation support, including claim construction analysis, infringement and invalidity assessments, and technical guidance to litigation teams.
Support IP due diligence for acquisitions, investments, partnerships, license, and other strategic transactions, including evaluating target IP portfolios and identifying risks, opportunities, and integration considerations.
Support IP integration activities following completed acquisitions, including portfolio assessment, harmonization of prosecution strategies, and alignment with Azenta’s overall IP program.
Negotiate, draft, and review IP-related agreements, including licenses, research and development collaborations, joint development agreements, and IP clauses for complex sales and supply agreements.
Develop and deliver training programs for Azenta personnel on critical IP topics, including trade secret identification and protection, proper handling of confidential information, careful communications regarding IP-sensitive matters, invention disclosure processes, and general IP awareness.
Serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner to executive leadership, R&D, product management, and business development on IP strategy and risk matters, tailoring communications to the audience and keeping stakeholders appropriately informed.
Provide clear, timely, and actionable reports to senior management on the status of the IP portfolio, key risks, enforcement activities, and strategic recommendations.