Director of Corporate Intellectual Property (IP)

About the Company

LIGHTERA has one of the longest and most respectable corporate lineages in American business, tracing back to Alexander Graham Bell and the invention of the telephone over a century ago. With a proven track record of industry firsts—including application-specific fibers, optical connectors, ribbon cables, erbium-doped fibers, Raman fiber lasers, and fiber gratings—LIGHTERA designs, manufactures, and supplies leading optical fibers, fiber cable, components, and devices. Our mission is to deliver exceptional optical innovations and solutions that create value for shareholders, customers, and employees.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive IP strategy aligned with corporate and manufacturing objectives.
• Identify patentable innovations in manufacturing processes, automation systems, materials, product designs, and production technologies.
• Lead invention disclosure processes and partner with engineering and R&D teams to evaluate and prioritize filings.
• Manage global patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret portfolios, including prosecution and maintenance.
• Conduct freedom-to-operate (FTO) analyses and competitive IP landscape assessments.
• Oversee IP due diligence for mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships.
• Partner with Legal on IP enforcement, litigation support, licensing, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Develop policies and procedures to ensure proper documentation and protection of proprietary information.
• Provide IP education and training to manufacturing, engineering, and product development teams.
• Monitor competitor filings and emerging technologies to identify risks and opportunities.
• Manage IP budgets and external patent counsel relationships.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor, Law with a focus in Intellectual Property.
• 10+ years of experience in intellectual property management in a global manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of U.S. and international patent systems and IP strategy.
• Experience working with patent attorneys and managing patent prosecution processes.
• Knowledge of industrial manufacturing processes, product development lifecycles, and process innovation.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
• Ability to travel up to 15% domestically and internationally.

Preferred Qualifications

• Registered Patent Agent or Patent Attorney with significant experience interfacing with USPTO and international patent offices.
• Experience in advanced manufacturing, automation, specialty materials, or engineered products.
• Background in IP licensing, technology commercialization, or portfolio monetization.
• Experience in managing IP-related disputes and litigation matters.
• Experience supporting global operations or multi-site manufacturing environments.

General Expectations

• Demonstrate effective communication (verbal, written) skills.
• Proficient with MS Office Suite.
• Maintain discretion when working with confidential and proprietary information.
• Strict adherence to Company safety policies and procedures.
• Exhibit all aspects of Lightera’s “Standards of Conduct” document.

Work Environment

Hybrid (minimum of 2 days in the Norcross corporate office).