Senior Counsel – Intellectual Property

Job Description Summary

We seek a Senior Intellectual Property (IP) Counsel to contribute toward IP strategy and policy within the IP team, handling projects and programs that impact quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of the function. The Senior IP Counsel maintains proactive awareness of legal and regulatory developments, serves as a best practice and quality resource, and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to solve complex problems.

• Manage IP matters that impact team quality and effectiveness; contribute toward policy and standard work; engage with FLIGHT DECK elements pertaining to area of responsibility (metrics, standard work, action plans, problem solving).
• Conduct freedom‑to‑operate analyses, patent landscaping, and validity assessments; use expertise and analytical skills to issue‑spot and identify IP risks; advocate for continuous improvement in existing solutions and protocols.
• Support IP transactions (R&D agreements, licenses, NDAs, sale/purchase, USG contracts) by providing reasoned legal advice drawing on developing specialized expertise; collaborate with multiple internal resources to align with business objectives.
• Support IP disputes and enforcement matters (patent/trade secret) by conducting legal research, drafting memoranda, and assisting with case strategy under the guidance of other Senior Counsel; collaborate with inside and outside counsel on assigned matters.
• Contribute to IP asset development (patent strategy, portfolio analysis) by synthesizing information and providing recommendations to senior leaders; ensure delivery of quality work within area of responsibility.
• Assess existing IP policies, procedures, and protocols to identify opportunities for greater impact and continuous improvement; contribute to standard work development within area of responsibility.
• Advise on FAR/DFARS IP/data rights matters in USG contracts and proposals, drawing on developing understanding of how aerospace industry practices affect legal advice in the IP area.
• Collaborate with multiple internal and limited external resources across commercial, contracts, sourcing, tax, and compliance functions to solve problems and pursue objectives; communicate effectively to senior leadership with oversight and assistance from higher‑level leaders.

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited university.
• Minimum 3 years practicing IP law (law firm or combined law firm/in‑house) with demonstrated ability to issue‑spot, analyze, and solve complex IP problems.
• Member in good standing of a U.S. state bar.
• Military experience is equivalent to professional experience.

• BS in Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, or Physics (accredited).
• Developing specialized expertise in IP law; serves as a quality resource and maintains proactive awareness of latest legal and regulatory developments in the IP field.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills; explains complex or sensitive IP concepts simply and clearly; builds trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders through shared accountability.
• Developing persuasion skills required to influence others on topics within the field.
• Highest ethical/professional standards; exercises sound, decisive judgment with unyielding integrity, including when advising under pressure.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with multiple internal and limited external resources outside of own function to solve problems; creates innovative, data‑driven solutions that improve quality, efficiency, and effectiveness.
• Developing knowledge of patent and trade secret statutes and case law; maintains proactive awareness of ongoing legal developments in area of practice.
• Experience with the following: patent/trade secret litigation (District Court, Federal Circuit, ITC, PTAB) lifecycle; FTO, validity/infringement opinions; portfolio diligence; enforcement investigations; drafting/negotiating IP agreements/licenses/settlements; and advising on FAR/DFARS data rights.
• USPTO admission preferred; familiarity with patent prosecution processes.
• Acts as a resource for colleagues with less…