Director, AI IP Strategy & Transactions

Cerebras Systems, Inc.; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Restaurant allowed?

Job summary

Cerebras Systems is seeking a Director, IP to lead Cerebras' global intellectual property strategy. You will partner with engineering, research, product, security, marketing, and leadership to build, protect, and leverage patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and open source assets for Cerebras' AI hardware, software, cloud services, and strategic initiatives.

This hands‑on, business‑facing role requires identifying high‑value inventions, guiding filing strategy, managing outside

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and bar admission in at least one U.S. state (California preferred).
• Registration to practice before the USPTO.
• 10+ years of experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications in AI infrastructure, HPC, semiconductors, electrical engineering, computer science, systems, networking, cloud infrastructure, or related areas.
• Technical undergraduate degree or equivalent technical experience in EE/CS/Physics or related discipline.
• Ability to understand complex AI infrastructure, hardware, networking, cloud, and software systems and convert disclosures into strategically valuable patent claims.
• Experience managing outside patent counsel and global portfolios with emphasis on quality, cost, timing, and business alignment.
• Strong written and verbal communication, able to explain patent strategy and risk to engineers, business leaders, and executives.
• Practical judgment, organization, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving environment.
• Collaborative attitude and enthusiasm for advanced computing, AI infrastructure, and deep technology.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute Cerebras’ enterprise IP strategy aligned with product roadmap, business objectives, competitive positioning, and corporate growth.
• Advise executive leadership on IP strategy, competitive landscape, IP risks, licensing opportunities, standards participation, and emerging AI legal developments.
• Build and maintain an integrated IP portfolio spanning patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, domain names, and other proprietary assets.
• Drive strategic invention harvesting and patent portfolio development across the full AI infrastructure stack.
• Partner directly with engineers, researchers, product leaders, and executives to identify patentable innovation and align filing decisions with technical roadmaps and business priorities.
• Manage U.S. and international patent preparation and prosecution, including directing outside counsel, reviewing applications and office action responses, setting claim strategy, and maintaining quality, cost, and timing discipline.
• Build subject matter expertise in Cerebras' key technical areas and proactively identify portfolio opportunities tied to product releases, customer deployments, partnerships, and standards.
• Advise on IP issues relating to generative AI, foundation models, and evolving regulatory developments affecting AI technologies.
• Support IP provisions in customer agreements, cloud and data center arrangements, supply chain and manufacturing relationships, university collaborations, licensing, and other strategic transactions.

Skills

Communication skills

Legal drafting

Patent prosecution

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Management of outside counsel

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Bar admission in at least one US state (California preferred)

USPTO registration

Tools

USPTO registration

Job description

Cerebras Systems is seeking a Director, IP to lead Cerebras' global intellectual property strategy. You will partner with engineering, research, product, security, marketing, and leadership to build, protect, and leverage patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and open source assets for Cerebras' AI hardware, software, cloud services, and strategic initiatives.

This hands‑on, business‑facing role requires identifying high‑value inventions, guiding filing strategy, managing outside