Patent Counsel

About the Role

The successful candidate will be a Patent Attorney who can work in a decentralized environment and interact with formal and informal Engineering and Commercial Teams at a hybrid office located in Troy, Michigan.  

Your Responsibilities

• Advise management on the scope, jurisdiction, and timing of patent application filings in the context of the Group’s structure (from traditional "patent committees" to informal on the fly consensus).
• Work closely with existing Patent Group staff and outside Counsel to manage all administrative aspects related to pending patent applications.
• Manage annuity and maintenance fee payments.
• Conduct prior art searches for formal and informal reviews and opinions.
• Prepare and review nondisclosure agreements as needed for a variety of transactions.
• Prepare and review commercial documents that have IP terms such as P.O. Terms and Conditions, Joint Development Agreements, License Agreements, and Asset Purchase Agreements.
• Participate as the Intellectual Property member of M&A Teams.
• Advise management on position and response in the case of perceived, potential, or alleged infringement of IP rights.

Who we are looking for

• Bachelor of Science degree and Juris Doctorate  
• Experience/knowledge of electronic, electro-mechanical, plastic, metallurgical, mechanical, optical products and processes .
• Four (4) years+ of experience preparing and prosecuting patent applications as well as preparing and negotiating commercial documents and transactions in a law firm and as a corporate patent counsel.
• State Bar Membership and U.S. Patent Attorney Registration.
   

Your preferred qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering 
• Excellent corporate and commercial legal skills, including the ability to effectively draft and negotiate contracts and focus on details while not losing sight of the big picture.
• Solid business acumen and judgment, including the ability to set priorities, align plans, and work effectively with multiple stakeholders to develop practical solutions to a broad range of legal and business problems.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex issues clearly and to be persuasive in a manner that is both direct and diplomatic, combined with an ability to build solid relationships across a diverse group of business and technical people having a wide array of professional and cultural backgrounds
• The ability and desire to work independently on the “front lines” of the business, with limited direct supervision

What we offer

At Magna, you can expect an engaging and dynamic environment where you can help to develop industry-leading automotive technologies. We invest in our employees, providing them with the support and resources they need to succeed. As a member of our global team, you can expect exciting, varied responsibilities as well as a wide range of development prospects. Because we believe that your career path should be as unique as you are.

Site Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans 
• 401 (k) with employer matching 
• An extensive training program and exciting internal development opportuniites
• Cafe 
• Parking for motorcycles and electric vehicles 

Awareness. Unity. Empowerment.

At Magna, we believe a diverse workforce is critical to our success. That’s why we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We hire on the basis of experience and qualifications, and in consideration of job requirements, regardless of, in particular, color, ancestry, religion, gender, origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability or gender identity. Magna takes the privacy of your personal information seriously. We discourage you from sending applications via email to comply with GDPR requirements and your local Data Privacy Law.