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Chief Patent Counsel Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Chief Technology Officer

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$160 - $180/hr

As CTO, you own Devyantram's company-wide technology vision and roadmap across the full stack, and ... with patent counsel. * Building and leading the mechatronics and hardware function over time: ...

Chief Technology Officer

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$180K - $200K/yr

As CTO, you own Devyantram's company-wide technology vision and roadmap across the full stack, and ... with patent counsel. • Building and leading the mechatronics and hardware function over time: ...

The General Counsel serves as Elixir's chief legal advisor and is responsible for leading all legal ... Manage and protect the company's intellectual property portfolio, coordinating with outside patent ...

Patent Litigator

New York, NY · On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

Managing relationships with outside counsel and coordinating multi-jurisdictional matters About you ... Chris (Chief Executive Officer and co-founder): Chris did his undergrad at Imperial College London ...

NY · On-site

$106 - $154/hr

## Patent Agent - ResearchApplylocations: Farmington, Connecticut: New York, New York: Bar Harbor ... Reports to the Chief IP Counsel.* Occasional domestic travel may be required.This is a hybrid ...

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Chief Patent Counsel information

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How much do chief patent counsel jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for chief patent counsel in the United States is $25.29, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.80 and $26.68 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a chief patent counsel do?

A Chief Patent Counsel is the highest-ranking legal professional responsible for overseeing all patent-related matters within an organization. Their duties typically include developing and implementing patent strategies, managing a team of patent attorneys or agents, ensuring the protection of intellectual property, and providing legal advice on patent litigation and portfolio management. They also collaborate with research, engineering, and business teams to align patent activities with the company’s goals. The Chief Patent Counsel plays a key role in defending the company’s innovations and supporting its competitive advantage in the market.

What does a chief patent counsel do?

A chief patent counsel, also known as a chief intellectual property (IP) counsel, is a lawyer responsible for protecting the intellectual property of a business or organization. In this role, your job duties include helping clients prepare and file for legal patents and licensing for an invention or an idea for an invention, researching and adhering to legal policies regarding copyrights and intellectual property, and offering legal advice to senior staff regarding their rights and processes in establishing a patent. A chief patent counsel usually works with one business or organization to lead its patenting efforts for a variety of ideas and inventions.

What are some common challenges faced by a chief patent counsel when managing a global patent portfolio?

A Chief Patent Counsel often faces the challenge of navigating diverse patent laws and regulations across multiple jurisdictions while ensuring the company's intellectual property is adequately protected. Coordinating with international legal teams, managing translation and filing deadlines, and staying ahead of changes in global IP policies are frequent hurdles. Additionally, aligning the patent strategy with business objectives and fostering collaboration between R&D, legal, and executive teams requires strong leadership and communication skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a chief patent counsel, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chief Patent Counsel, you need deep expertise in patent law, prosecution, and portfolio management, typically supported by a law degree (JD) and registration with the USPTO. Familiarity with intellectual property management systems, patent databases, and legal research tools is essential, and advanced certifications such as a registered patent attorney can be advantageous. Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and strong negotiation and communication skills set top candidates apart in this role. These competencies enable effective protection of intellectual property assets, risk mitigation, and alignment of patent strategies with business objectives.

What is the difference between Chief Patent Counsel vs Patent Attorney?

AspectChief Patent CounselPatent Attorney
CredentialsJD, technical degree, bar admission, extensive patent law experienceJD, bar admission, patent law experience
Work EnvironmentIn-house legal department, corporate settingLaw firms or corporate legal teams
Industry UsageCommon in large corporations, tech, pharmaWidely used in law firms, corporations, patent agencies
Primary FocusStrategic patent portfolio management, legal oversightPatent application drafting, prosecution, and litigation

The main difference between a Chief Patent Counsel and a Patent Attorney lies in their roles and responsibilities. The Chief Patent Counsel typically leads the patent strategy within a company, overseeing legal aspects and managing patent portfolios, while Patent Attorneys focus on drafting, prosecuting, and defending patents. Both roles require similar credentials, but the Chief Patent Counsel holds a leadership position with broader strategic duties.

What cities are hiring for Chief Patent Counsel jobs?

Cities with the most Chief Patent Counsel job openings:

What states have the most Chief Patent Counsel jobs?

States with the most job openings for Chief Patent Counsel jobs include:

Infographic showing various Chief Patent Counsel job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $52,600 per year, or $25.3 per hour.

Senior Intellectual Property Counsel (B5)

Applied Materials

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

$195K - $268K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Provide IP counsel to engineering and business teams across patents, trade secrets, and other IP matters.

  • Conduct IP landscape analyses, freedom-to-operate assessments, and risk evaluations, translating findings into actionable guidance.

  • Manage and develop patent portfolios for assigned programs, including invention capture, prosecution strategy, foreign filing decisions, and outside counsel coordination.


Applied Materials rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 58 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 545 rated manufacturers


Job description

Who We Are
Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting-edge equipment that helps our customers manufacture display and semiconductor chips - the brains of devices we use every day. As the foundation of the global electronics industry, Applied enables the exciting technologies that literally connect our world - like AI and IoT. If you want to push the boundaries of materials science and engineering to create next generation technology, join us to deliver material innovation that changes the world.
What We Offer
Salary:
$195,000.00 - $268,000.00
Location:
Santa Clara,CA
You'll benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop, and grow your career as you take on challenges and drive innovative solutions for our customers. We empower our team to push the boundaries of what is possible-while learning every day in a supportive leading global company. Visit our Careers website to learn more.
At Applied Materials, we care about the health and wellbeing of our employees. We're committed to providing programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth and care for you at work, at home, or wherever you may go. Learn more about our benefits.
Senior Intellectual Property Counsel
Senior Intellectual Property Counsel V
About the Role
We are seeking a highly technical, hands-on Patent Counsel to support advanced and emerging technology initiatives within the company's R&D and technology organizations. Reporting into the IP Legal team, this role partners closely with engineering teams, business leadership, and senior IP counsel to support the development and execution of IP strategies that protect innovation and enable long-term competitive advantage.
The position requires strong technical depth, a practical and execution-oriented mindset, and the ability to operate effectively in fast-evolving, pre-product environments.
Key Responsibilities
  • Provide IP counsel to engineering and business teams across patents, trade secrets, and other IP matters, aligned with business and technology objectives.

  • Conduct IP landscape analyses, freedom-to-operate assessments, and risk evaluations, translating findings into actionable guidance for technical and business stakeholders.

  • Support development and execution of IP strategies aligned to key product and business drivers (e.g., performance, cost, cycle time), identifying opportunities to strengthen competitive positioning.

  • Manage and develop patent portfolios for assigned programs, including invention capture, prosecution strategy, foreign filing decisions, and outside counsel coordination.

  • Apply & support patent vs. trade secret decision frameworks, assisting in evaluating disclosure risks and supporting implementation of trade secret protection practices.

  • Partner with cross-functional teams (e.g., commercial legal, engineering, supply chain) to support IP aspects of agreements, collaborations, and ecosystem engagements.

  • Support IP enforcement and defensive activities, including claim analysis, prior art review, and collaboration with litigation counsel.

  • Contribute to IP process improvements, training initiatives, and best practices to enhance protection of proprietary technologies.

Skills and Attributes
  • Strong technical capability with the ability to quickly understand complex systems and engage effectively with engineering teams

  • Ability to translate technical developments into practical IP strategies and actions

  • Strong ownership mindset with the ability to operate independently while aligning with broader team and organizational priorities

  • Effective communicator with the ability to influence stakeholders across functions and levels

  • Collaborative, adaptable, and able to operate in dynamic, fast-paced environments

Basic Qualifications (Minimum Qualifications)
  • Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.

  • Active U.S. state bar membership in good standing (California preferred, not required).

  • Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Technical degree in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related field.

  • 6-10 years of intellectual property legal experience in a law firm and/or in-house setting, including:

  • U.S. and international patent portfolio development and management, including prosecution strategy and global coordination.

  • Conducting IP landscape analyses and freedom-to-operate assessments.

  • Supporting IP aspects of technology, licensing, or collaboration agreements.

  • IP laws and practices in Asia, including China, Korea, and Taiwan.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Advanced technical degree (MS or PhD) in a relevant discipline

  • Experience working with advanced R&D or CTO-type organizations, supporting early-stage or pre-product technologies

  • Experience with semiconductor or adjacent technologies (e.g., advanced packaging, photonics, optoelectronics, or quantum-related technologies)

  • Experience supporting IP enforcement or dispute strategies, including invalidity and infringement analysis

  • Familiarity with global patent operations, including portfolio management, budgeting, and outside counsel oversight

  • Experience advising on or managing IP portfolios related to semiconductors or emerging technologies (e.g., photonics, optoelectronics, advanced packaging, or quantum-related technologies)

Additional Information
Time Type:
Full time
Employee Type:
Assignee / Regular
Travel:
Yes, 25% of the Time
Relocation Eligible:
No
The salary offered to a selected candidate will be based on multiple factors including location, hire grade, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and with consideration of internal equity of our current team members. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable.
For all sales roles, the posted salary range is the Target Total Cash (TTC) range for the role, which is the sum of base salary and target bonus amount at 100% goal achievement.
Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.
In addition, Applied endeavors to make our careers site accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us via e-mail at Accommodations_Program@amat.com, or by calling our HR Direct Help Line at 877-612-7547, option 1, and following the prompts to speak to an HR Advisor. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

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About Applied Materials

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Applied Materials is the global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We're the brain (and the brawn) behind every new technology development--whether it's building semiconductor chips for smartphones and computers, or the underpinnings for robotics, AI and even smart TV display screens. With 27,000 employees in 19 countries, we offer an exciting place to grow and learn alongside some of the best people you'll ever meet. We take deep pride in our Culture of Inclusion, and we celebrate the diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences that help us build stronger, more resilient teams. Join us as we innovate to Make Possible a Better Future!

Industry

Manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Clara, CA, US

Year founded

1967