Principal, Source Code & IP Investigations

Charles River Associates International; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 175,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Wellness program

Immigration support

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Charles River Associates seeks a highly experienced Principal in Forensic Services to lead detailed investigations of source code and related systems in copyright/patent infringement matters. You will oversee teams, coordinate with counsel, and deliver technically sound expert analyses.

The role requires 10+ years in liability analysis within litigation, strong programming knowledge (C/Java/Python), and the ability to travel for client projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in source code- and technology-related liability analysis in a litigation context.
• Ability to effectively lead teams, prioritize projects, meet deadlines, and communicate effectively.
• Experience with programming languages including C, Java, or Python.
• Hands-on technical role as a testifying expert.
• Strong understanding of source code analysis, binary reverse engineering, and hardware testing techniques.
• Familiarity with analytical tools (e.g., SciTools Understand).
• Understanding of SDLC and Agile methodologies.
• Experience drafting expert and technical reports; travel for client projects.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary point of contact for clients regarding engagement activities.
• Lead teams to conduct forensic investigations of source code and systems in IP litigation contexts.
• Recruit and retain talent, and manage team morale.
• Support counsel and clients in IP litigation through technical expertise.
• Direct analysis of source code, databases, configurations, and other technical evidence.
• Assist with preparation of expert reports and client deliverables.
• Ensure quality control and documentation of analyses.
• Contribute to practice-building and business development.

Skills

Team leadership

Communication

Client engagement

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in CS/Engineering

Tools

C

Java

Python

Source code analysis

Reverse engineering

Job description

Charles River Associates seeks a highly experienced Principal in Forensic Services to lead detailed investigations of source code and related systems in copyright/patent infringement matters. You will oversee teams, coordinate with counsel, and deliver technically sound expert analyses.

The role requires 10+ years in liability analysis within litigation, strong programming knowledge (C/Java/Python), and the ability to travel for client projects.