COUNSEL - INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (M/W/D)

JOB OVERVIEW:

TE Connectivity's Intellectual Property Teams develop and maintain company patent applications, trade secrets, trademarks, copyrights, licensing and research agreements, publications and intellectual property aspects of contracts and agreements, as well as provide input on any other matters related to intellectual property law. Our Teams partner with internal/external departments to lead overall company parts/productions brand protection activities and help us continue to win in all markets. This position will report to an Assistant General Counsel – EMEA IP Lead.  The position will support various of TE’s Business Units in EMEA. The successful candidate will be able to work closely with other IP department colleagues and provide IP legal advice and counselling to BU management and engineering teams. 

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Counsel TE business unit leaders with respect to IP matters and strategy.
• Coordinate with the engineering team and outside counsel to prepare patent application documents and respond to official actions.
• Actively participate in patent committee meetings, help manage business unit patent portfolios, and support the development of IP strategies.
• Manage the docket and workflow for EMEA-originated inventions, as part of the TE patent portfolio supporting various business units.
• Conduct computer-based intellectual property investigations and research and provide guidance/counsel to inventors and business personnel.
• Render opinions on patentability, patent clearances (freedom to operate), and intellectual property enforcement and infringement matters.
• Collaborate with business unit and IP legal peers/managers to manage patent assertion and enforcement activities. 
• Negotiate and draft intellectual property agreements and license agreements in coordination with colleagues in the IP law team and business personnel.
• Identify training needs, advise, plan, organize, coordinate and follow up on training programs to guide innovation and improve TE employee IP awareness.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• University degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Physics 
• Experience with electro-mechanical connectors, cables, materials and/or other components in the vehicle, energy, or plant engineering industry is desirable
• Qualified and registered European patent attorney with at least 6 years of patent legal experience
• Strong patent prosecution skills and knowledge of IP laws and practices in Europe
• Solid knowledge of Inventor’s Remuneration laws and required implementation practices is a plus 
• Knowledge of patent infringement and experiences with patent assertion and litigation in-house and/or law firm is desirable
• Ability to convey complex legal concepts in a comprehensible and actionable business-friendly manner 
• Collaborative and strong team player with good communication skills, this person will work collaboratively with other IP/Legal counsels and the IP support staff  
• Highly self-motivated, with the ability to proactively organize and manage multiple tasks and demonstrate excellent analytical abilities and problem-solving approach
• Fluency in English at the business/legal level 
• Good speaking and writing skills in German at the business/legal level are desirable