IP Agent

About the role

NetApp, a multi-billion dollar technology leader, is adding an IP Counsel or Agent to join its award-winning legal department. The successful candidate will support the development of NetApp’s global patent portfolio, working closely with engineering, technical, and business teams as an integral partner throughout the research and development process. This patent professional will conduct patent mining sessions, supervise outside counsel during patent prosecution, and align NetApp’s patent strategy with its business objectives.

The ideal candidate will be comfortable engaging directly with engineers, facilitating invention disclosure discussions, identifying patentable innovations, and influencing technical stakeholders on intellectual property strategy. This is a hybrid position based in Morrisville, NC (RTP) or Wichita, KS.

Responsibilities

• Conduct patent mining sessions with product engineering teams in an efficient manner.
• Provide recommendations to senior leadership about what inventions should be patented.
• Supervise outside counsel in all aspects of patent prosecution, including drafting, office actions, and appeals.
• Build awareness and perform outreach about NetApp’s patent program among product engineering teams and educate them about the importance of intellectual property.
• Manage technology and systems for patent portfolio management, including evaluating possible uses of AI tools.
• Partner directly with software, cloud, and engineering teams to identify, evaluate, and protect innovative technologies.
• Review patent claims and prosecution strategy to ensure appropriate quality, breadth, scope, and alignment with NetApp’s business objectives.
• Manage and strategically develop patent portfolios while balancing business priorities, innovation goals, and intellectual property protection.

Qualifications

• Registered and in good standing to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
• Experience as a registered Patent Agent or Patent Attorney is acceptable. A law degree is not required provided the candidate is qualified to practice before the USPTO.
• At least five years of patent prosecution and portfolio experience in software, cloud computing, hybrid cloud technologies, AI-enabled technologies, and enterprise technology solutions.
• Preferred experience includes a combination of law firm patent prosecution and in-house patent portfolio management within the technology sector.
• Proficient in the use of AI and patent portfolio management tools.
• Management and copyright experience desirable.
• Ability to build credibility, advocate, and influence business and technical teams.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with engineers and technical stakeholders and translate complex technologies into strong intellectual property strategies.
• Ability to prioritize and deliver multiple simultaneous projects under pressure.
• Strong collaboration skills across teams and organizations.
• Experience working with software, cloud, SaaS, data management, storage, AI, machine learning, or related enterprise technology environments strongly preferred.
• Domestic and international travel may be required.

Pay

The target salary range for this position is $147,900 - $191,000 USD. The salary offered will be determined by the candidate's location, qualifications, experience, and education and may be outside of this range. Final compensation packages are competitive and in line with industry standards.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Retirement or pension plans
• Paid time off and various leave options
• Performance-based incentives
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Restricted stocks (RSUs)

Benefits may vary by country and region and are governed by local laws, regulations, and company policies.

Schedule

NetApp embraces a hybrid working environment designed to strengthen connection, collaboration, and culture. Most roles, including this one, will have some level of in-office and/or in-person expectations, which will be shared during the recruitment process.