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 organizations 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 harmonize NetApp’s patent strategy with its business objectives.

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 experience and in-house patent portfolio management experience within the technology sector.
• Proficient in the use of AI and patent portfolio management tools.
• Management and copyright experience desirable.
• Strong interest and ability to develop in-depth knowledge of NetApp’s wide range of data management solutions and obtain patent protection for new innovations.

Skills

• Ability to build credibility, advocate, and influence business and other 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

• Health Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Retirement or Pension Plans
• Paid Time Off and various Leave options
• Performance-Based Incentives
• Employee stock purchase plan and/or restricted stocks (RSUs)

Benefits may vary by country and region, and further details will be provided as part of the recruitment process.

Schedule

This is a hybrid working environment. Most roles will have some level of in-office and/or in-person expectations, which will be shared during the recruitment process.