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Director Intellectual Property Jobs in California

Cerebras Systems

As Director, IP, you will lead the development and execution of Cerebras' global intellectual property strategy. You will partner with engineering, research, product, security, marketing, and ...

Guardant Health

Intellectual Property Counsel

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$189K - $260K/yr

This role will be directly report to a Director, Intellectual Property. As a member of the IP Team, you will be responsible for providing guidance on a wide range of IP legal matters related to the ...

Guardant Health

Intellectual Property Counsel

San Diego, CA · On-site

$189K - $260K/yr

This role will be directly report to a Director, Intellectual Property. As a member of the IP Team, you will be responsible for providing guidance on a wide range of IP legal matters related to the ...

Guardant Health

Intellectual Property Counsel

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$189K - $260K/yr

This role will be directly report to a Director, Intellectual Property. As a member of the IP Team, you will be responsible for providing guidance on a wide range of IP legal matters related to the ...

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Director Intellectual Property information

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$42.4K

$111.7K

$192K

How much do director intellectual property jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for director intellectual property in California is $111,680.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,500.00 and $143,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of intellectual property?

To thrive as a Director Intellectual Property, you need deep expertise in intellectual property law, patent and trademark portfolio management, and strategic IP planning, often supported by a law degree and significant industry experience. Familiarity with IP management software, patent databases, and relevant certifications such as a USPTO registration or Certified Licensing Professional (CLP) credential are typical requirements. Outstanding leadership, negotiation, and cross-functional communication skills set top candidates apart in this strategic role. These skills and qualifications are essential for protecting a company's innovations, navigating complex legal landscapes, and driving business growth through effective IP strategies.

What are the main challenges a director of intellectual property typically faces?

Directors of Intellectual Property frequently navigate complex legal and regulatory environments across multiple jurisdictions, requiring them to stay up to date on changes in IP law and global enforcement practices. They often balance the need to protect the company's IP assets with business goals such as commercialization, licensing, or collaborations with external partners. Regular interaction with R&D, legal, and executive teams is common, making communication and prioritization skills crucial. Additionally, Directors must be prepared to manage IP disputes, analyze competitive landscapes, and develop proactive strategies to mitigate risk and optimize IP value.

What does a director of intellectual property do?

A Director of Intellectual Property (IP) oversees an organization's IP strategy, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. They ensure legal protection for innovations, manage IP portfolios, and develop strategies to mitigate risks. This role involves working with legal teams, R&D, and executives to align IP policies with business goals. Additionally, they may handle licensing agreements, enforcement actions, and compliance with intellectual property laws.

What are the most commonly searched types of Intellectual Property jobs in California?

The most popular types of Intellectual Property jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Director Intellectual Property jobs in California?

For Director Intellectual Property jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Director Intellectual Property jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Intellectual Property jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Director Intellectual Property jobs?

Cities in California with the most Director Intellectual Property job openings:

Director Intellectual Property jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Intellectual Property job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 88% In-person, and 12% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $111,680 per year, or $53.7 per hour.

Senior Director, Intellectual Property

Kardigan

South San Francisco, CA • Hybrid

Full-time

Re-posted 23 hours ago

Job description

Position Title: Senior Director, Intellectual Property 

Department: Legal 

Reports To: Vice President, Intellectual Property 

Location: South San Francisco, CA or Princeton, NJ - On-site 4 days per week (Mon to Thurs) 

Job Overview 

The Senior Director of Intellectual Property (IP) is a highly experienced, strategic, and driven intellectual property attorney who can provide advice and counseling to the business on a broad range of scientific and IP legal issues. This key member of the legal team will report to the Vice President, Intellectual Property and will be responsible for providing IP legal support to a number of different programs at various stages of development. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of patent law, Orange Book listings, ANDA litigation and bring creative and strategic approaches to protecting Kardigan's efforts. 

This position is hybrid and will be primarily located in South San Francisco, CA or Princeton, NJ.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

  • The Senior Director of Intellectual Property will be able to conceptualize, develop, implement and manage intellectual property portfolio strategies worldwide to maximize value and utility of IP assets for current and future commercial assets 
  • Independently provide expert IP advice to senior scientific and business leaders and demonstrate thoughtful risk management in decision making 
  • Responsible for identifying preparation of patent applications, patent prosecution, and annual patent portfolio management to ensure the efficient use of our resources 
  • Collaborate with various functions within Kardigan to foster a science-driven and innovative environment that ensures that IP is effectively identified, captured and filed 
  • Oversee strategies for addressing competitor IP, including administrative proceedings such as oppositions, post-grant reviews, inter-partes reviews, and re-examinations
  • Provide IP transactional support for business transactions, clinical agreements, collaborative research agreements, and license and acquisition agreements
  • Manage the relationships and agreements with external legal counsel, and vendors 

Qualifications and Preferred Skills 

  • Advanced degree in chemical sciences with synthetic laboratory experience is required (Ph.D. organic chemistry is beneficial) 
  • Law degree from an ABA-accredited law school 
  • Admitted to the bar of at least one U.S. State or the District of Columbia 
  • Registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) 
  • 10-20 years of professional legal experience as a patent professional (e.g., patent agent or patent attorney, etc.) 
  • Prior experiences as a member of an in-house legal team in a pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, or biotechnology company, including management of complex patent portfolio and pharmaceutical product support
  • Experience supporting a commercial product is a plus, but not required 

Apply