Intellectual Property Specialist

BlocQ, Inc. is a deep-tech startup headquartered in Tokyo and Silicon Valley, on a mission to solve cybersecurity challenges in the quantum computing era. We research and develop algorithms and software for quantum computers, bringing together world-class quantum researchers, software engineers, and cybersecurity experts — many with roots at the University of Tokyo — to extract peak performance from quantum hardware.

We are working toward the world's first commercialization of quantum digital computing. If you want to be at the frontier of that effort, we'd love to meet you.

We are looking for an Intellectual Property Specialist to lead IP strategy from planning through execution at a deep-tech startup specializing in quantum software. This is a critically important position: you will translate our cutting-edge R&D outcomes into competitive business advantages and build a global IP portfolio.

Working closely with researchers and engineers, you will uncover inventions, extract patentable elements, coordinate with external patent firms, and manage filings in Japan and key international markets (especially the US and Europe). You will also review IP-related clauses in collaborative research agreements and NDAs with universities and external partners.

IP Strategy

• Define patent filing and trade-secret protection policies for the quantum software domain
• Build and manage domestic and international (especially US and European) patent portfolios in alignment with business planning and R&D
• Conduct competitive intelligence and prior-art searches; perform Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) analysis
• Formulate IP strategies (open/closed, etc.) to establish and sustain competitive advantage

IP Operations & Internal Collaboration

• Work closely with internal researchers and engineers to uncover inventions and extract protectable IP elements
• Manage patent specification drafting, filing, prosecution, and search in coordination with external patent firms
• Review IP-related clauses in joint research agreements, NDAs, and contracts with universities and external partners

• Practical experience in patent filing and prosecution at a company or patent firm
• Curiosity and willingness to engage with and understand technical content outside one's own specialty when collaborating with engineers and researchers
• Self-driven mindset: ability to independently stay current on business and R&D developments, then plan and execute IP activities autonomously

• Practical experience in international patent filing and prosecution, particularly in the US and Europe
• Professional working proficiency in English
• Academic or professional background in physics, information science, or mathematics

• Salary:
  To be determined (commensurate with experience)
• Incentive:
  Stock options
• Raises:
  Determined based on performance
• Transportation:
  Fully covered
• Insurance:
  Health, pension, employment, workers' compensation
• Overtime pay:
  Paid per standard rates

• Employment type:
  
  Permanent (no fixed term)
• Probation: 3 months
• Working hours:
  
  9:00 – 18:00 (60‑min break) · ~10–45 hrs overtime/month
• Location:
  
  Shibuya, Tokyo (5‑min walk from Shibuya Station)
• Remote:
  Remote‑first (hybrid available)
• Days off:
  Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, Golden Week, year‑end/New Year
• Paid leave: 10+ days from the 7th month of employment
• Smoking:
  Non‑smoking workplace

2–3 interview rounds