Patent Counsel (m/w/d)

SEG Automotive Germany GmbH; Stuttgart; Hybrid; EUR 90.000 - 130.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Flexible work hours & hybrid work

Vacation days: 30 days

Personal development support

Company events & subsidized meals

Zusammenfassung

SEG Automotive Germany GmbH in Stuttgart is seeking an experienced Patent Attorney to shape and defend our global IP portfolio. You will manage and expand the international patent strategy, assess inventions, and counsel business units on freedom-to-operate and licensing opportunities.

You will work with cross-functional teams, supervise external counsel, and help launch new products while minimizing risk. A technical degree and admission as a German or European patent attorney are required,

Qualifikationen

• Completed degree in engineering or natural sciences.
• Admission as a German or European patent attorney.
• Several years of relevant experience in a corporate patent department or IP law firm.
• Strong knowledge of German, European and international patent law; knowledge of trademarks/designs/copyright is a plus.
• Understanding of mobility and automotive supplier industry tech/products.
• Experience in freedom-to-operate analyses and IP risk mitigation.
• Experience in opposition, nullity, and infringement proceedings.
• Fluent business German and English.
• Willingness to travel nationally and internationally.

Aufgaben

• Develop and manage the global patent portfolio strategy in line with corporate goals.
• Handle patent matters in national and international settings, including analyses and proceedings, aligned with business units.
• Advise business units on freedom-to-operate, licensing, and product launches.
• Identify and evaluate protectable innovations and conduct invention disclosures with business units.
• Avoid infringement by analyzing protection scopes and developing workaround solutions.
• Filing oppositions and nullity actions as needed and manage IP rights enforcement.
• Analyze technology trends and patent landscapes to support strategic decisions.
• Draft and negotiate IP agreements including licenses and collaborations.
• Prepare action-oriented decision papers for management with risk and economic impact in focus.

Kenntnisse

Analytical thinking

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Assertiveness

German language

English language

Ausbildung

Engineering degree

Patent attorney qualification (German/European)

Jobbeschreibung

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