Open Source and Standards Diligence Patent Attorney or Agent
San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States
Corporate Functions
Summary
Posted: Sep 24, 2025
Role Number: 200622185-3401
Imagine what you could do here. At Apple, new ideas have a way of quickly becoming great products, services, and customer experiences. Bring passion and dedication to your job, and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Do you love taking on bold new challenges? Do you possess a deep knowledge of the practice of intellectual property (IP) and patent law, care about details, drive efficient execution, and have a passion for innovation? Apple's legal team upholds Apple's high ethical and corporate standards and protects Apple's IP. As part of the team, you will support the development of world-class products and services. Working for a company that invents new product categories and creates new industries means you'll be challenged to creatively apply your knowledge and expertise to rare and often unexplored aspects of IP practice.
Description
We seek a Patent Attorney or Agent to perform patent and other risk analysis relating to Apple's open source and standards participation.
You will devise and drive diligence efforts to analyze risks due to Apple's participation in open source, and engagement in standards-related activities. You will review technical material, analyze patents, develop risk analyses, working closely and communicating with business teams to understand their needs, priorities, and challenges.
The successful candidate will have or demonstrate the ability to learn to apply a deep understanding of open source licenses and contributor license agreements, as well as IPR policies governing standards development organizations.
Your work will also serve to inform and guide efforts to develop and curate a worldwide patent portfolio covering Apple's products, services, and other research and development.
Minimum Qualifications
USPTO Registered Patent Attorney or Agent
Education: BS or higher degree in computer science, OR BS or higher degree in engineering, physics, or mathematics with significant experience in software development.
3+ years of patent-focused work experience, including drafting and prosecuting patent assets, developing patent strategies, conducting patent infringement or essentiality analyses, supporting transactions with IP terms such as M&A deals, or supporting patent litigation.
3+ years of work experience at a law firm and/or in-house legal department.
Excellent verbal and written communication.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience analyzing patents such as claim-charting, infringement or essentiality analyses.
3+ years of industrial software development experience. Open source software development experience preferred.
Experience with general software licensing and/or IP terms in agreements.
Experience with IPR policies governing standards development organizations.
Experience with open source licenses and contributor license agreements.
Experience supporting corporate participation in standards development organizations.
Pay & Benefits
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $200,700 and $301,700, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.Learn more about Apple Benefits. (https://www.apple.com/careers/us/benefits.html)
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088\EEOC\KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf) .
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088\EEOC\KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf) .
Apple will not discriminate or retaliate against applicants who inquire about, disclose, or discuss their compensation.
Apple participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law.Learn more about the E-Verify program (https://www.apple.com/jobs/pdf/EverifyPosterEnglish.pdf) .
Apple is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with physical and mental disabilities. Reasonable Accommodation and Drug Free Workplace policy Learn more .
Apple is a drug-free workplace. Reasonable Accommodation and Drug Free Workplace policy Learn more .
Apple will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law. If you're applying for a position in San Francisco, review the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance guidelines applicable in your area.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
