Patent Counsel (m/w/d)

Seg Automotive; Stuttgart; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work hours

Remote work / Hybrid model

30 vacation days

Job summary

SEG Automotive is seeking a senior patent professional to shape our global patent portfolio and support strategic business objectives. You will work in a multinational setting to assess inventions, manage prosecutions, and coordinate with external counsel across regions.

The role requires legal expertise in German/European patent law, strong analytical and negotiation skills, and experience advising product teams on freedom-to-operate and licensing matters. Travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Completed degree in engineering or natural sciences (electrical/mechatronics/mechanical/physics or similar).
• German and/or European patent attorney admission is required.
• Several years of experience in a corporate patent dept or international IP firm.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the global patent portfolio strategy aligned with corporate objectives.
• Handle national and international patent matters including inventions assessment, protection strategies, and office procedures.
• Advise business units on freedom-to-operate, launches, and IP risk mitigation.
• Identify and evaluate protectable innovations with business unit collaboration.
• Coordinate with external patent attorneys and manage international patent proceedings.
• Review and negotiate IP agreements and license/tech transfer agreements.
• Prepare decision papers focusing on risk, economic viability, and business interests.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Clear communication

Negotiation skills

Assertiveness

Business risk assessment

Education

Engineering or natural sciences degree

German/European patent attorney admission

Job description

Shape the future of mobility with us. And your own.

SEG Automotive combines the strength of a global player with the short decision-making paths and culture of a medium-sized

company. We offer you a fulfilling, challenging and future-proof job: With us, you can make a contribution to society -and at the same time have a wide range of opportunities for personal and international development.

Become part of our intercultural team of over 6,000 employees in 14 countries. This is how you make an impact - on the automotive industry and your own career.

Your responsibilities:

• Further development and implementation of the global patent portfolio strategy to support corporate objectives, taking into account strategic relevance, risks, and costs.
• Independent legal and strategic handling of patent matters in a national and international environment, including the assessment of inventions, protection strategies, patent office procedures, oppositions, disputes, and portfolio decisions in close alignment with the business units.
• Advising and supporting the business units, particularly in the development and market launch of new products, freedom‑to‑operate clearances, collision risks, and the defense of our patents.
• Identifying, capturing, and evaluating protectable innovations, as well as conducting invention disclosure discussions in collaboration with the business units.
• Avoiding infringement of third‑party intellectual property rights by analyzing the respective scope of protection. Developing solutions to work around third‑party rights in collaboration with the business units.
• Limiting or invalidating obstructive third‑party intellectual property rights. Filing oppositions and nullity actions.
• Enforcing our own intellectual property rights and defending against third‑party rights asserted against us.
• Analyzing technology trends, competitor portfolios, and patent landscapes to support strategic decisions in collaboration with the business units.
• Reviewing, drafting, and supporting negotiations of intellectual property agreements, particularly license, cooperation, and transfer agreements.
• Preparing decision papers and recommendations for action for our business units and management, with a clear focus on risk, economic viability, and our business interests.
• Managing and supporting external patent attorneys and lawyers in patent proceedings before offices and courts.
• Ensuring efficient, effective, and globally aligned ways of working.
• Further developing processes and conducting training in the field of patents.

Your profile:

• Completed degree in engineering or natural sciences, preferably in electrical engineering, mechatronics, mechanical engineering, physics, or a comparable field.
• Completed training and admission as a German and/or European patent attorney.
• Several years of relevant professional experience in a corporate patent department, an internationally oriented patent law firm, or a comparable role.
• Sound knowledge of German, European, and international patent law; additional experience in trademark law, design law, copyright law, domain law, know‑how protection, anti‑counterfeiting, and/or IP litigation is an advantage.
• Understanding of technical products and business models in the mobility and automotive supplier industry.
• Experience in developing, managing, and optimizing international patent portfolios.
• Experience in freedom‑to‑operate analyses, intellectual property assessments, and developing options for action to minimize risk.
• Experience in opposition, nullity, and/or infringement proceedings.
• Experience in negotiating and drafting license, cooperation, or technology agreements is an advantage.
• Experience working with international teams, external law firms, authorities, and operational departments.
• Strong analytical thinking, clear communication, negotiation skills, assertiveness, and the ability to assess legal risks from a business perspective.
• Structured, independent way of working with a high level of integrity, confidentiality, and sense of responsibility.
• Business‑fluent German and English, both written and spoken.
• Willingness to undertake occasional national and international business travel.

What We'll Be Offering You in the Future.

• Flexible work hours with flex time and remote work / hybrid work
• Additional days off in addition to 30 vacation days
• Support for personal development (Learning hub@SEG)
• AvwL (age‑related capital‑forming benefits), ergonomic workstations
• Company events (e.g., BBQ, Family Day, etc.), subsidized meals in the cafeteria
  Employee Assistance Program (EAP) INSITE
• Free parking garage with ample parking spaces
• Additional benefits under the collective bargaining agreement for the metal and electrical industry
• Affordable electric vehicle charging at headquarters
• Sustainable, eco‑friendly location
• Flat hierarchies (town hall meetings, direct sessions with the CEO for Q&A)
• Talent development through the SEG Potential Hub