Senior IP Engineer

Clivet SpA; Feltre; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Clivet SpA in Milan is seeking a Senior IP Engineer to lead our patent strategy, manage the global IP portfolio, and align R&D with external counsel.

You will drive internal patent harvesting, oversee filings, and mentor junior IP engineers while traveling internationally to support disputes and licensing opportunities.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in engineering or physics required.
• At least 5+ years in an IP-focused role, in-house or at a patent firm.
• English and Italian proficiency for technical-legal review.

Responsibilities

• Lead internal patent mining sessions with R&D to uncover patentable inventions.
• Coordinate external counsel and provide technical briefings for filings.
• Review and edit patent applications and office responses for clarity and protection.
• Conduct preliminary prior art searches and analyze competitor filings.
• Manage global IP portfolio, deadlines, and leadership advisory on decisions.
• Oversee budget and relationships with external legal partners.
• Provide technical support for disputes, oppositions, or litigation.
• Manage trademark filing, monitoring, and lifecycle renewals; mentor juniors.

Skills

IP strategy

Patent analysis

Technical writing

Leadership

Mentorship

Education

Master’s Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electronic, Software, etc.) or Physics

Tools

IP databases

IP management software

Trademark databases

Job description

Are you ready to be the master strategist behind our technology?

Do you thrive at the intersection of cutting-edge innovation and intellectual property law?

If yes, take a look: this could be for you!

Clivet SPA is now looking for a strategic and proactive Senior IP Engineer to join our Milan office. In this role, you won’t just file patents—you will be the architect of our IP portfolio, acting as the crucial bridge between our R&D teams and the world of external legal counsel.

What’s in for you?

This role is about ownership and strategy. You will be the guardian of our technical innovations and brand identity, transforming them into a competitive advantage on a global scale.

Internal IP Harvesting: This is where it starts!

Lead “patent mining” sessions within our R&D labs to uncover and evaluate patentable inventions. You are the critical eye that reviews technical disclosures before they go to our external partners… ensuring nothing groundbreaking is missed.

External Counsel Management: Be the conductor!

Serve as the primary point of contact for our network of patent firms. Provide technical briefings, review drafts, and act as the quality gatekeeper to guarantee that every filing accurately represents the heart of our technology… legal jargon won’t get in the way on your watch!

Draft Review & Technical Editing: Get your hands dirty!

Critically analyze patent applications and responses to patent offices. You ensure our technical innovation is clear, protected, and ready to withstand scrutiny. This is a hands‑on role where your technical expertise is paramount.

Freedom to Operate & Competitive Intelligence: Guide the future!

Conduct preliminary prior art searches and analyze competitor filings. By identifying shifts in their R&D focus, you will provide “Technology Trend Reports” that directly guide our own R&D roadmap and mitigate infringement risks. Who better than you to help us see around the next corner?

Portfolio Strategy & Lifecycle Management: Own the big picture!

Manage our global IP portfolio, tracking deadlines and advising leadership on critical decisions—from maintenance and abandonments to identifying licensing opportunities.

Budget Oversight & Vendor Management: Keep it smart!

Monitor and optimize the costs of external legal services. You’ll ensure we extract maximum value from our IP spend while managing relationships with our legal partners.

Technical Support for Disputes: Be the expert witness!

When challenges arise, you provide the technical evidence and logic that empowers our external counsel during patent oppositions, appeals, or litigation.

Trademark Management: Protect our identity!

Coordinate the global filing, monitoring, and lifecycle renewals of our company brands and logos, ensuring our name is protected wherever we do business.

Mentorship & Team Growth: Lead the next generation!

Support and foster the professional development of junior IP engineers. Act as a mentor, sharing your expertise in IP strategy and management to help the team grow.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for someone with a Master’s Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electronic, Software, etc.) or Physics.

Do you have experience? Super! We need someone with at least 5+ years in an IP-focused role, either in‑house or as a technical specialist in a patent firm.

Legal & Technical Expertise:

You have a solid command of EPC and PCT procedures. Knowledge of trademark filing systems (EUIPO/WIPO) is a strong plus. You are also proficient with professional IP databases and management software.

Languages are mandatory!

You must have full professional proficiency in both English and Italian, as you will be reviewing complex technical‑legal documents in both languages.

And… last but not least:

You must be comfortable with business travel, including international trips, to visit R&D sites, attend hearings, or meet with external partners.