Sr. Counsel, Intellectual Property

Archer; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 230,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer is a San Jose-based aerospace company developing all-electric VTOL aircraft and related infrastructure. We seek an experienced IP professional to lead patent strategy, manage disclosures, and work closely with engineering and commercial teams to protect innovations in propulsion, AI, software, and flight controls.

The role demands a technical degree, 5–10 years in patent prosecution or equivalent, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of substantive patent prosecution, counseling, and/or litigation experience, with at least 3 of those years with an operating company or agency (not a law firm).
• Technical degree in physics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or computer science.
• Support supply chain and commercial legal team on types of commercial contracts including component parts, raw materials, and equipment purchase and lease agreements, joint development agreements, and manufacturing agreements.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
• Must be a self-starter with the ability to be proactive, work independently, manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience successfully performing in high-pressure and ambiguous environments.
• Authorized to practice law in a US state, or equivalent IP experience (e.g., patent agent, examiner, senior engineer with IP aptitude).

Responsibilities

• Keep pace with Archer product plans and competitor roadmaps.
• Develop and implement the commercial IP strategies for each product and market segment.
• Educate engineers on IP and manage invention disclosures, trade secrets, and patent filings in electric/hybrid aerospace and related systems.
• Manage Archer's patent portfolio and conduct patentability assessments; coordinate with outside counsel.
• Support IP-related contractual provisions of supplier and manufacturing agreements, licenses, and IP provisions in transactions.
• Assist with M&A due-diligence, third-party IP litigation, and dispute-resolution efforts.
• Improve Archer IP processes to stay ahead of industry best practices.

Skills

Patent prosecution experience

Strong communication

Self-starter

Ability to manage multiple projects

Education

Physics / Mechanical / Electrical / CS degree

Job description

Archer is an aerospace company based in San Jose, California building an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft with a mission to advance the benefits of sustainable air mobility. We are designing, manufacturing, and operating an all-electric aircraft that can carry four passengers while producing minimal noise.

Our sights are set high and our problems are hard, and we believe that diversity in the workplace is what makes us smarter, drives better insights, and will ultimately lift us all to success. We are dedicated to cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment that embraces our differences, and supports and celebrates all of our team members.

Archer is growing its world-class team of experienced legal problem solvers to help bring sustainable, electrified, and autonomous air travel to the world. We seek applicants who will embrace and thrive in our culture: collaborative, collegial, non-hierarchical, diverse perspectives, productive, speedy, and adaptable. As a core element of its business strategy, Archer is building the world’s most valuable intellectual property (IP) portfolio for next generation aerospace, defense, and software markets, including artificial intelligence (AI) aviation products, airport infrastructure, and airline products.

You will work on cutting-edge technical, product and intellectual property issues in a fast-paced environment, so we are seeking ambitious candidates who work hard, move quickly, and want to play a significant role in contributing to the company’s growth as a market leader in vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, infrastructure, and operations.

Responsibilities

• Keep pace with Archer product plans and competitor roadmaps.
• Develop and implement the commercial IP strategies for each product and market segment.
• Educate engineers on IP and manage a flow of invention disclosures, trade secrets, and domestic/international patent filings in electric/hybrid aerospace and airport/airline infrastructure systems, components, and operations, including flight controls, propellers, electric engine, powertrain, high volume manufacturing, test & instrumentation, artificial intelligence, and software.
• Manage a significant part of the rapidly growing Archer patent portfolio, including conducting patentability assessments, and managing relationships with outside counsel.
• Support IP related contractual provisions of supply agreements for parts and raw materials, equipment purchase and lease agreements, manufacturing agreements, joint development agreements, intellectual property (IP) licenses, acquisitions, and other transactions.
• Support M&A due-diligence, third party IP litigation and dispute-resolution efforts.
• Support continuous improvement of Archer IP processes to keep ahead of industry best-practices.

What You Need

• 5-10 years of substantive patent prosecution, counseling, and/or litigation experience, with at least 3 of those years with an operating company or agency (not a law firm).
• Technical degree in at least one of the following disciplines: physics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or computer science.
• Support supply chain and commercial legal team on types of commercial contracts including component parts, raw materials, and equipment purchase and lease agreements, joint development agreements, and manufacturing agreements.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written), including the ability to relay complex information quickly and effectively in an efficient and easily understandable format.
• Must be a self-starter with the ability to be proactive, work independently, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and exercise sound business judgment.
• Experience successfully performing in high-pressure and ambiguous environments.
• Authorized to practice law in a US state, or equivalent substantial IP experience (e.g., patent agent, patent examiner, senior engineer with experience or aptitude in IP).

Bonus

Experience in automotive, aerospace, defense, manufacturing, or AI. Sense of humor!

Please note that this job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and does not include an exhaustive list of responsibilities and qualifications.

At Archer we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent that possess the skills and leadership necessary to grow our business. We drive a pay-for-performance culture and reward performance that supports the Company’s business strategy. For this position we are targeting a base pay between $230,000 - $250,000, not including bonuses, stock, and other forms of compensation. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Archer is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Archer is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to job applicants with physical or mental disabilities, and those with sincerely held religious beliefs. Applicants who may require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should provide their name and contact information to Archer’s People Team at [e-mail]. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Information collected and processed as part of any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Archer's Candidate Privacy Policy.

Archer is unable to provide work visa sponsorship for this position at the present time.

Archer is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Archer Aviation does not engage with external recruiting agencies/individual recruiters with whom it does not have a prior written agreement. Archer reserves the right to make use of any unsolicited resumes that it receives and bears no responsibility for payment of any fees asserted from the use of unsolicited resumes. If you are a recruiting agency or individual recruiter wishing to do business with Archer, please reach out to [e-mail]. All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.