Sr. Counsel, Intellectual Property

Rocket Lab; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace company seeks a Sr. Counsel for Intellectual Property to develop and manage its IP portfolio, engaging with engineering teams and providing vital legal support. This role requires a JD and at least 7 years of relevant experience, ensuring that the candidate is adept at handling complex IP issues in a challenging environment.

Benefits

Opportunities for Professional Development

Qualifications

• 7+ years of post-JD experience.
• In-house legal experience or experience at a law firm working with corporate clients.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage SpaceX’s intellectual property portfolio.
• Provide legal counsel on various IP matters.
• Manage global prosecution of trademarks and patents.

Skills

Intellectual Property Management

Negotiation

Legal Counsel

Problem Solving

Technical Communication

Education

JD from an ABA accredited school

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

SR. COUNSEL, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for development and management of SpaceX’s intellectual property (IP) portfolio (patents, trademarks, trade secrets around business products and technologies in support of the business strategy)
• Work closely with engineering teams to identify and assess competitive patent, trademark and trade secret assets and impact on desired business outcomes
• Manage global prosecution of trademarks and patents
• Identify and address infringement globally, including litigation as needed
• Provide legal counsel on intellectual property topics, including structuring complex licensing transactions, business negotiations relative to IP matters, trademark use, and open-source issues (e.g., software)
• Prepare and maintain applicable IP contract forms and/or clauses
• Create playbooks and training materials to enable fellow legal team members and members of the engineering and business teams to address common IP concerns
• Manage outside counsel to assist with the above (as needed)
• Develop and negotiate complex technical transactions, including development and supply agreements for custom electronics
• Secondarily, provide actionable legal support to the business as needed (e.g., negotiation of commercial contracts, including launch service agreements)

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• JD from an ABA accredited school
• 7+ years of post-JD experience
• In-house legal experience or experience at a law firm working with corporate clients

PREFERRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

• Experience with varied and complex intellectual property matters
• Excellent academic record at a top-tier law school
• Significant knowledge of and experience with establishing and managing global intellectual property programs
• Familiarity with technology and the ability to interact with highly technical engineers
• Experience structuring and leading negotiation of intellectual property transactions in various technology areas ranging from physical goods to software licenses and exposure to prosecuting and enforcing various IP rights
• A team player with the ability to proactively identify problems, drive projects, make complex cost/benefit assessments, and identify pragmatic/creative legal and business solutions
• Ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively and to juggle competing priorities in a fast-paced, challenging environment
• A quick and flexible learner, intellectually curious, open

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be willing to travel up to 10% of the time
• Must be admitted to the bar, in good standing, in at least one U.S. State
• This position is based in Washington, DC and requires being onsite - remote work not considered
• Must be able to work extended hours and weekends as needed

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].