Patent Counsel

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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.
Group Summary:
Magna is more than one of the world's largest suppliers in the automotive space. We are a mobility technology company built to innovate, with a global, entrepreneurial-minded team. With 65+ years of expertise, our ecosystem of interconnected products combined with our complete vehicle expertise uniquely positions us to advance mobility in an expanded transportation landscape.
Job Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will be a qualified Patent Counsel who can work in a collaborative global IP team environment and interact with various engineering, commercial and legal colleagues on strategic initiatives within the broad Magna organization. The position is based at Magna's hybrid office located in Troy, Michigan.
Duties and Responsibilities:

• Advise Groups within the organization, especially Magna Electronics, on effective IP Management including the scope, jurisdiction, and timing of patent filings including coordination of technical assessments, engagement with external attorneys, development of processes.
• Lead investigations within Magna Electronics or other Groups as required of perceived, potential, or alleged infringement of IP rights including providing strategic advice to mitigate any risks.
• Work closely with colleagues in the Magna Global Corporate IP Team to develop and implement strategic initiatives across all the Groups.
• Coordinate searches and opinions for disputes, clearances or novelty.
• Prepare and review legal agreements as needed for a variety of IP transactions.
• Advise on any M&A activities concerning patent and IP matters.
• Partner with engineering leadership and inventors to further the strategic objectives of each Magna group concerning patents and intellectual property.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience either at a law firm in patent prosecution or in-house in a corporate/patent legal team.
• State Bar Membership (any state) and U.S. Patent Attorney Registration required.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Control Systems, Software Engineering or Computer Science.
• Juris Doctor Degree.
• Experience/knowledge of electronic, electro-mechanical, mechanical, optical products, controls, software in the field of automotive.

Knowledge/Skills:

• Excellent strategic IP and legal skills, including the ability to effectively manage a large patent portfolio and associated processes, negotiate contracts, investigate disputes, and propose solutions to mitigate IP and legal risks.
• 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 to Senior Business Leaders complex issues clearly and to be persuasive in a manner that is both direct and diplomatic.
• Ability to build solid relationships across a diverse group of global colleagues having a wide array of professional and cultural backgrounds.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

• Normal amount of sitting or standing, average mobility to move around an office environment, able to conduct normal amount of work at a computer.
• Ability to travel required, including international travel.
• A hybrid working environment requires at least three days per week in the office..

Awareness, Unity, Empowerment:
At Magna, we believe that 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 or traditional mail to comply with GDPR requirements and your local Data Privacy Law.
AI-Assisted Screening Disclosure
As part of our commitment to a fair, consistent, and efficient recruitment process, we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the initial screening of applications submitted through our Workday system. These tools help identify qualifications and experience that align with the role requirements. Please note that AI is used solely to support our recruiters. Final decisions are always made by the hiring manager and the hiring team. Importantly, no applicant data is shared externally through these AI tools. All information remains securely within our systems and is handled in accordance with our privacy and data protection policies.
Under conditions defined by applicable law, you may have the right to request an explanation of how AI is used to support decision-making.
If you have any questions or concerns about this process, feel free to contact our Talent Attraction team.
Worker Type:
Regular / Permanent
Group:
Magna Corporate