Senior Counsel - Intellectual Property

Senior Counsel - Intellectual Property

Qnity is seeking an experienced Senior Counsel - Intellectual Property to play a critical role in protecting and advancing the company's innovation portfolio. Reporting to the Chief IP Counsel, this individual will lead patent-related legal activities, including patent preparation and prosecution, freedom-to-operate (FTO) analysis, patent litigation support, IP transactions, and strategic counseling.

This position partners closely with R&D, engineering, product management, regulatory, commercial, and executive leadership teams to develop and execute intellectual property strategies that support business growth and competitive advantage. The ideal candidate combines deep patent expertise with strong business acumen, technical proficiency, and the ability to influence stakeholders across a global organization.

This is a hybrid role that consists of both in-office and remote work requirements. Candidates who currently live within a commutable distance to Marlborough, MA will be given priority.

Please note: Sponsorship is not available for this opportunity now or in the future.

What You'll Do

• Lead the preparation, prosecution, and management of U.S. and international patent portfolios, partnering with inventors, R&D, and outside counsel to protect key innovations.
• Conduct patentability assessments, freedom-to-operate (FTO) analyses, and patent risk evaluations to support product development and business strategy.
• Provide strategic IP counsel on commercialization, licensing, collaborations, M&A activities, and other technology-driven initiatives.
• Advise business and technical teams on intellectual property risks, opportunities, and best practices to align IP strategy with corporate objectives.
• Support patent litigation, opposition proceedings, enforcement activities, and dispute resolution efforts in collaboration with external counsel.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, building strong partnerships across legal, technical, commercial, and operational teams while helping develop the company's IP function.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar.
• Registration to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
• Technical degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of intellectual property legal experience, preferably combining law firm and in-house counsel experience.
• Proven experience drafting, prosecuting, and managing U.S. and international patent portfolios.
• Demonstrated experience conducting freedom-to-operate (FTO) analyses and providing patent risk assessments.
• Experience supporting patent litigation and intellectual property dispute matters.
• Experience negotiating complex technology, licensing, collaboration, or related commercial agreements.
• Strong understanding of patent law, intellectual property strategy, and portfolio management.
• Exceptional analytical, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to translate complex legal concepts into practical business guidance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within the semiconductor, advanced materials, specialty chemicals, electronics, or technology industries.
• Knowledge of electronic materials and semiconductor-related technologies, including: Semiconductor fabrication Lithography Advanced packaging Metallization Display technologies.
• Experience supporting global intellectual property portfolios and international patent strategies.
• Prior in-house counsel experience supporting innovation-driven organizations.
• Experience managing outside counsel and global patent budgets.
• Experience supporting M&A transactions, licensing programs, and technology partnerships.
• Demonstrated people leadership experience, including mentoring, coaching, or direct management responsibilities.
• Advanced understanding of intellectual property due diligence and portfolio valuation.

The Pay range for this role is $169,400.00 - $266,200.00 Annual. How Base Pay is Determined: Qnity has job leveling frameworks that help organize roles based on progressive levels of responsibility, proficiency and qualifications. Each role has an associated pay range (or an established pay rate for some roles) based on the competitive market in each country where we operate. Each individual's pay is based on a variety of factors, including their role and the associated pay range for that role, their geographic location (i.e., country, state, metropolitan area), as well as their skills, experience, education and certifications, and performance.