Global IP Counsel for Drilling Tech & Robotics

Nabors; United States; On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Nabors is seeking a Corporate IP Counsel with 5 to 8 years of IP experience to join its in-house legal team in Houston, TX. The role requires an engineering background and a U.S. bar license to protect innovations, negotiate high‑value technology contracts, and manage global IP risk.

The candidate will work with mechanical, electrical, and software teams to harvest patentable inventions and coordinate with outside counsel on global portfolios.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of dedicated IP law experience in-house or at a firm.
• Experience handling IP transactions, licenses and JV agreements.
• Proven ability to partner with engineering teams on patentable inventions.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate global technology contracts and licenses.
• Lead IP negotiations with service providers, operators, and partners.
• Harvest patentable inventions from drilling automation and robotics teams.
• Oversee outside counsel for patents and trademarks worldwide.
• Perform FTO, infringement, and validity analyses for new tech.
• Collaborate with internal clients and legal staff across the company.

Skills

IP Law

Negotiation

Patent Prosecution

US Bar

Engineering knowledge

Cross-functional

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Engineering degree

Job description

Nabors is seeking a Corporate IP Counsel with 5 to 8 years of IP experience to join its in-house legal team in Houston, TX. The role requires an engineering background and a U.S. bar license to protect innovations, negotiate high‑value technology contracts, and manage global IP risk.

The candidate will work with mechanical, electrical, and software teams to harvest patentable inventions and coordinate with outside counsel on global portfolios.