Senior Licensing Officer

MIT Lincoln Laboratory; Lexington (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Paid leave

Tuition reimbursement

Mentorship programs

Work-life balance

Job summary

MIT Lincoln Laboratory is seeking a Senior Technology Licensing Officer to lead licensing initiatives for the Laboratory's intellectual property in Lexington, MA. You will identify licensees, assess IP value, and negotiate agreements that meet government and sponsor requirements while advancing national security goals.

The role requires a BS in engineering, 8 years of relevant experience including licensing or business development, strong communication, and the ability to obtain a DoD security

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with preference for Electrical/Optical Engineering.
• Advanced technical degree preferred but not required.
• 8 years of direct experience in engineering or physical sciences, including 5+ years in licensing, product management, business development, or contract negotiation.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, address complex issues, and exercise good judgment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication with diverse stakeholders.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain DoD security clearance (Secret).

Responsibilities

• Identify potential licensees across spin-outs, startups, and industry.
• Assess IP value propositions in line with market trends and partner goals.
• Negotiate license and related agreements to satisfy licensee, government sponsors, and MIT.
• Understand technology sensitivities for national security classifications.
• Collaborate with IP management to align assets with patent strategy and licensing needs.
• Coordinate with contracting and marketing to optimize licensing opportunities.
• Maintain relationships with MIT Technology Licensing Office and ensure compliance.
• Manage a large portfolio of licensing cases with varied approaches.
• Ensure MIT Lincoln Laboratory holds rights needed to license each case.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Project management

Judgment and discretion

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Advanced technical degree preferred

Job description

Job Description

MIT Lincoln Laboratory is a Department of Defense Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) engaged in the development and demonstration of advanced prototype technologies and systems, with an overall objective to transfer those capabilities to Government, the defense industrial base, and the commercial sector. These transfers include hardware, software, material, technical data, and subject‑matter expertise, providing an extensive and resilient set of national security capabilities while concurrently contributing to the economic, environmental, and social well‑being of the United States.

The Technology Transfer Office (TTO) facilitates and oversees technology transfer to government and industry, fosters collaborative research with the private sector, and manages the Laboratory's Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio, in close collaboration with the MIT Technology Licensing Office which has ultimate responsibility for the management and integrity of MIT's IP, of which Lincoln Lab IP is part. In support of creating increased transfer opportunities in complex federal and private‑sector landscapes, the Laboratory is seeking a Senior Technology Licensing Officer. This position offers a unique opportunity to work with cutting‑edge technologies and collaborate with world‑class researchers, industry leaders, and legal experts to bring MITLL's inventions to the global marketplace. The role will encompass a wide range of responsibilities, allowing you to leverage expertise in engineering and physical sciences while making a significant impact on the commercialization of intellectual property (IP).

Job Summary

The Technology Transfer Office (TTO) facilitates and oversees technology transfer to government and industry, fosters collaborative research with the private sector, and manages the Laboratory's Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio. In order to support the creation of increased transfer opportunities in complex federal and private‑sector landscapes, the Laboratory is seeking a Senior Technology Licensing Officer. This position will have the unique opportunity to work with cutting‑edge technologies and collaborate with world‑class researchers, industry leaders, and legal experts to bring MITLL's inventions to the global marketplace. The role will encompass a wide range of responsibilities, allowing you to leverage expertise in engineering and physical sciences while making a significant impact on the commercialization of intellectual property (IP).

Essential Functions

• Identify potential licensees in spin‑out/startup companies, small businesses, large industry leaders, and the defense industrial base.
• Assess the value proposition of IP assets (both patent and non‑patent) in the context of industry trends and partner business goals.
• Negotiate license and other agreements to simultaneously achieve the goals of licensee, government sponsors, and MIT.
• Carefully understand technology sensitivities as they relate to national security classification and export control and respond accordingly in license negotiation and execution.
• Work collaboratively with the TTO IP management team to understand available assets and provide feedback on patent prosecution/IP protection strategy based on licensee needs and progress.
• Work with collaborative research contracting team to ensure strategic alignment of sponsored research agreements and parallel/future licensing transactions.
• Work collaboratively with the marketing/business development functions to maximize effectiveness of outreach.
• Work collaboratively with and develop and maintain productive relationships with MIT Technology Licensing Office staff to ensure effective information exchange, co‑management strategies of overlapping cases, and best practices for technology transfer and commercialization as governed by MIT's IP policy.
• Manage an extensive portfolio of cases, strategizing a variety of licensing approaches (express licensing, exclusive/non‑exclusive licensing, open‑source, etc.) for commercialization in alignment with government sponsor and national security goals.
• Work to ensure MIT via Lincoln Lab has the appropriate rights needed to license each case and is compliant with all government regulations.

Requirements

• Minimum of a B.S. in Engineering, with preference given to candidates with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering or Optical Engineering.
• An advanced technical degree is preferred, although not required.
• 8 years of direct experience in the engineering and/or physical sciences industries, including at least 5 years in a position involving activities such as technology licensing, product management and/or business development, and contract negotiation.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously; effectively address complex business, legal, interpersonal, and inter‑organizational issues; work independently; and exercise good judgment and discretion in the performance of all work assignments.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively engage with various stakeholders, including research staff, administrative staff, legal professionals, and industry representatives.
• Strong organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, a collaborative approach to developing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Prior experience in government technology transfer is strongly preferred.
• U.S. citizenship.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans.
• MIT‑funded pension.
• Matching 401K.
• Paid leave (including vacation, sick, parental, military, etc.).
• Tuition reimbursement and continuing education programs.
• Mentorship programs.
• A range of work‑life balance options.
• … and much more!

Selected candidate will be subject to a pre‑employment background investigation and must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret level DoD security clearance.

MIT Lincoln Laboratory is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, or genetic information; U.S. citizenship is required.