Patent Attorney

ZF; Northville (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

ZF Active Safety US Inc. in Northville, MI seeks an experienced Patent Attorney to lead US IP strategy, manage invention disclosures, and oversee patent prosecution across the company’s high‑tech portfolio.

As a key member of the IP team, you will collaborate with European and Asian IP counsels, supervise outside patent counsel, and support licensing, due diligence, and IP transactions in the US. A JD and USPTO admission are required, with a strong technical background in electronics or software

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in intellectual property law practice, in law firm or in-house.
• Fully qualified Patent Attorney admitted to the USPTO.
• Technical degree in electrical, electronics, computer engineering, physics or related field (preferred).
• Experience with electronics-based technology and software in high-tech environments.

Responsibilities

• Manage invention disclosure process and work closely with internal clients on all matters relating to inventions.
• Internal preparation of patent applications and patent prosecution matters.
• Direct and oversee outside patent counsel.
• Take responsibility for US patent infringement matters, patent licensing cases, transaction and agreement support in the US, freedom to operate evaluations, and all other matters relating to part of the company’s intellectual property assets, focusing on US matters.
• Provide general commercial advice in all areas of the company's operations, including contract negotiation and review with respect to US law.
• Software licensing relating to the Company’s products consistent with US practice.
• Performing IP due diligence and developing contracts for divestitures, acquisitions, investments, and joint ventures.
• Provide expertise and training to Engineering teams relating US intellectual property policies, procedures and topics.

Skills

IP law experience

USPTO qualification

Communication skills

Multitasking

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Electrical/technical degree

Job description

Patent Attorney

Country/Region: US

Location:

Northville, MI, US

Req ID 90674 | Northville, United States, ZF Active Safety US Inc.

About the team:

The US Patent Attorney will collaborate with the European and Asian IP Counsels and will provide strategic vision and daily operation oversight in managing current and future intellectual property to develop and implement overall directives. Particular aspects of this role will be portfolio management, intellectual property business transactions, dispute and litigation support, licensing, inhouse patent drafting and patent prosecution, support for enforcement and defense of third-party claims, publication review, due diligence, and opinion work. The US Patent Attorney will be an integral working partner with the company's global business units and product development organizations, handling intellectual property assets and collaborating with intellectual property teams thereby supporting many of the ZF divisions.

Job Description

What you can look forward to as a Patent Attorney:

• This position will report to the ZF US Lead Counsel and will hold responsibility for certain facets of the intellectual property in-house practice
• Manage invention disclosure process and work closely with internal clients on all matters relating to inventions.
• Internal preparation of patent applications and patent prosecution matters.
• Direct and oversee outside patent counsel.
• Take Responsibility for US patent infringement matters, patent licensing cases, transaction and agreement support in the US, freedom to operate evaluations, and all other matters relating to part of the company’s intellectual property assets, focusing on US matters.
• Provide general commercial advice in all areas of the company's operations, including contract negotiation and review with respect to US law.
• Software licensing relating to the Company’s products consistent with US practice.
• Performing IP due diligence and developing contracts for divestitures, acquisitions, investments, and joint ventures.
• Provide expertise and training to Engineering teams relating US intellectual property policies, procedures and topics.

Your profile as a Patent Attorney:

• 5+ years of experience in intellectual property law practice within a law firm and/or in-house.
• Juris Doctor degree
• Technical degree in electrical, electronics, computer engineering, physics, electro-mechanical or related field (preferred)
• Fully qualified Patent Attorney admitted to the USPTO
• Experience in working in the intellectual property field in the area of electronics-based technology including software, at a high technology company or law firm. Automotive experience in the field valued.
• Software experience and knowledge of open-source compliance valued.
• Electrical engineering, computer science, mathematics or physics background valued.
• Excellent knowledge of US laws and practices.
• Expertise in filing patent applications and related prosecution filings with the USPTO
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish effective working relationships with engineers, senior executives and colleagues within the legal and intellectual property teams and ability to work effectively in an international multi-cultural environment.
• Hard working, well organized, able to manage numerous projects simultaneously under deadline pressure, and experience managing and completing complex projects in a demanding environment.
• Strategic thinker with focus on practical client advice and the ability to advise on legal risks within a business context.
• Ability and train team members and inhouse clients.
• Excellent oral and written communication and negotiation skills required.
• Must possess commitment to professionalism, integrity, and collegiality.
• Ability to multi-task and accomplish tight deadlines in a team environment

Contact

Hannah Cline

[phone]

What does DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) mean for ZF as a company?

At ZF, we continuously strive to build and maintain a culture where inclusiveness is lived and diversity is valued. We actively seek ways to remove barriers so that all our employees can rise to their full potential. We aim to embed this vision in our legacy through how we operate and build our products as we shape the future of mobility.

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