Counsel - Intellectual Property | Legal - Beta Technologies
South Burlington, VT 05403
About the Job
We are building a multi-faceted and comprehensive IP program for our growing company in aerospace, technology and manufacturing. The legal team works in cross-functional groups to guide and support business initiatives while foreseeing and protecting the company against legal risks.
How you will contribute to revolutionizing electric aviation:
- Draft and negotiate IP-related provisions and documents for supply chain, customers, licensing, development, confidentiality, government, goods and services, and other agreements
- Identify, mitigate, and advise on high-risk IP-related contract terms
- Provide expert guidance on IP strategy around government contracting and implement a program to support (scoping R&D with U.S. Government, markings, data rights, commerciality, and associated record keeping); provide training on FAR/DFARS and data rights schemes, and support government proposal and contracting related to R&D, data rights and other IP concerns
- Handle freedom to practice analysis and implementation, provide analysis and input on new and existing product development, new lines of business, third-party IP, and FLOSS
- Manage and support due diligence related to transactions
- Help create procedures and processes to support multi-faceted and comprehensive IP program, including developing and managing IP portfolio, along with enforcement and defensive strategy
- You will be a business partner and problem solver for supplier, customer, and engineering IP issues, and provide proactive, decisive communication and advisement to leadership, legal team, engineering, and other functions on intellectual property and adjacent legal matters
- Work with team members to streamline and make more efficient the contract negotiating and writing process
- Manage outside counsel on various specific projects as applicable
- Provide training across the company on pertinent legal topics
Minimum Qualifications we are seeking:
- Bachelor's Degree in engineering or computer science
- JD, including registrations to practice before a state bar and the USPTO
- Minimum 8+ years experience in the practice of law, with a significant portion in-house
- 5+ years of IP experience, developing patent portfolios, creating patent strategies, competitive IP analysis, and IP conversations with outside counsel, inventors, and business leaders
- Experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial contracts
- Prior experience in aerospace strongly preferred (or similar complex manufacturing business)
- Strong preference for Vermont-based; willing to consider the right candidate with the ability to have frequent and regular on-site presence at Burlington, Vermont headquarters
Above and Beyond Qualifications that will distinguish you:
- Intellectual property litigation experience
- Experience providing guidance concerning the requirements and obligations for handling export-controlled commodities, material, software, technical data, and defense services under the International Traffic and Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administrations Regulations (EAR)
- Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment and prioritize on critical tasks that add value; ability to lead legal and cross-functional projects with superior project management skills
- Ability to clearly articulate legal IP issues to business leaders and foster effective discussion around cost and return versus risk in IP
- Enthusiastic about working within a team-oriented environment and will contribute to effective team relationships
- Flexible, adaptable, and ready to learn and problem solve for novel issues in developing areas of law
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.
Inclusivity Statement
Each of our backgrounds influences how we evaluate our own abilities. Research reveals that BIPOC, LGBTQ+, women, those from working-class backgrounds, individuals with disabilities, and other marginalized groups may hesitate to apply for roles if they don't meet all the requirements. Many skills can be learned on the job. If you can envision contributing value to our community and meet most criteria, we encourage you to apply.
BETA Technologies provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, place of birth, citizenship, disability, veteran or military status, health coverage status, HIV status, genetic information, crime victim status, pregnancy or a pregnancy-related condition or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. The company does not discriminate, and will not discriminate, and will not tolerate discrimination, based on any of these characteristics during the application process or in employment.
All offers of employment at BETA Technologies are contingent upon favorable results of a thorough background check.
