Job Summary
NetApp is looking for an experienced and strategic IP attorney to join its award-winning legal department. The successful candidate will manage, implement, and support NetApp's patent portfolio and litigation functions. You will be responsible for building a strategic patent portfolio, advising on related IP matters, and managing patent litigation as the company develops its next generation technology in enterprise and cloud-based data storage, management, and services. You will oversee and manage all aspects of our patent portfolio. You will play a critical role in protecting and maximizing the value of NetApp's patent assets and providing strategic guidance on IP-related matters. This is a leadership position that requires strong legal expertise, business acumen, and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
Key Responsibilities
Partner closely with engineering and product teams to identify and harvest strategic inventions.
Oversee the patent portfolio, including conducting patentability assessments, drafting and prosecuting patent applications, and managing relationships with outside counsel, with strong software patentability experience.
Manage outside counsel in the filing of new patent applications before the USPTO and other patent agencies internationally in prosecuting active cases.
Manage patent litigation in US District Courts, ITC, and IPRs.
Work closely with the "Innovation Capture Committee," including senior NetApp executives, to manage and strategize the patent portfolio.
Collaborate with engineering and product marketing teams to align patent policy with company direction (e.g., cloud or hybrid technologies).
Identify existing and future projected competitors and assist the IP group to develop mitigation strategies (e.g., patent acquisition, cross licenses, etc.).
Identifying and managing defensive publication opportunities.
Manage outside counsel for filing and prosecuting patent applications in the US and internationally.
Manage the entire patent lifecycle, including identifying, protecting, and enforcing NetApp's patent assets.
Ensure compliance with patent laws, regulations, and best practices in multiple jurisdictions. Patent due diligence for mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships, providing strategic guidance and risk assessment.
Advise internal stakeholders on patent-related matters, including licensing, validity, infringement, and litigation.
Stay updated on emerging IP trends, changes in laws especially in patent eligibility, and competitive landscape to provide proactive guidance and recommendations
Key Qualifications
At least 10 years' experience in intellectual property law, including IP litigation, IPR, drafting and prosecuting patent applications in hardware and software technologies in the US and other countries, and management experience.
Strong background in SaaS and in software patenting in the US and internationally.
Strong personal communication skills, both written and oral.
Strong work ethics and self-starter, with a growth mindset, in a fast-paced environment.
Strategic thinker but can also be detail oriented.
Flexibility in working hours in a global enterprise.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally to visit R&D sites required.
Ability to thrive in a high performance and fast-paced environment.
Ability to prioritize effectively and execute quickly with excellent judgment.
Solution-oriented and excellent problem-solving skills.
Compensation:
The target salary range for this position is 236,300 - 352,000 USD. The salary offered will be determined by the candidate's location, qualifications, experience, and education and may be outside of this range. Final compensation packages are competitive and in line with industry standards, reflecting a variety of factors, and include a comprehensive benefits package. This may cover Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Retirement or Pension Plans, Paid Time Off, various Leave options, Performance-Based Incentives, employee stock purchase plan, and/or restricted stocks (RSU's), with all offerings subject to regional variations and governed by local laws, regulations, and company policies. Benefits may vary by country and region, and further details will be provided as part of the recruitment process.
133235
We are all about helping customers turn challenges into business opportunity. It starts with bringing new thinking to age-old problems, like how to use data most effectively to run better - but also to innovate. We tailor our approach to the customer's unique needs with a combination of fresh thinking and proven approaches.
At NetApp, we embrace a hybrid working environment designed to strengthen connection, collaboration, and culture for all employees. This means that most roles will have some level of in-office and/or in-person expectations, which will be shared during the recruitment process.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
NetApp is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and to compliance with all federal, state and local laws that prohibit employment discrimination based on age, race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability or genetic information, pregnancy, protected veteran status, and any other protected classification.
Why You'll Thrive at NetApp
At NetApp, you won't wait for the perfect moment-you'll make it. The early planning, the extra thought, the bold idea that turns good into great: That's how our people operate and how we continue to push the boundaries of data infrastructure.
NetApp is the trusted partner for organizations transforming data into opportunity. As the only enterprise-grade storage service natively embedded in Google Cloud, AWS, and Microsoft Azure, we empower customers to run everything from traditional workloads to enterprise AI with unmatched performance, resilience, and security.
Our culture
We celebrate mold breakers, bold thinkers, and problem solvers. We reward initiative, impact, and ownership. We provide flexibility so you can balance professional ambition with your personal life. Here, differences are not just welcomed-they drive everything we do.
If you're ready to innovate, rise to the challenge, and own every moment - make your next move your best one. Apply now.
