In-house IP Counsel

In-House IP Counsel (Semiconductor / Deep Tech)

Location: San Jose, CA (Onsite, with flexibility for occasional remote work)

Employment: Full‑time

Lead and manage a 100+ asset global patent portfolio spanning materials, process, equipment, device structures, and system‑level semiconductor innovations, with a strong emphasis on graphene interconnect technologies. Partner closely with founders, engineering, and product teams to shape and execute an IP strategy that protects D2D’s differentiators and supports rapid portfolio growth in the U.S., Europe, and key Asian jurisdictions. Act as the primary in‑house legal point of contact for all IP matters, including patents, trade secrets, licensing, collaborations, and freedom‑to‑operate issues in a highly competitive semiconductor landscape.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, refine, and execute a global IP strategy aligned with the company’s roadmap for graphene‑based interconnects, semiconductor equipment, and process technologies.
• Manage the full patent lifecycle: invention harvesting, prior art analysis, drafting and prosecution oversight, portfolio pruning, and maintenance across multiple jurisdictions.
• Work with external patent counsel worldwide, providing technical and strategic direction on filings, office actions, oppositions, and appeals.
• Conduct freedom‑to‑operate (FTO), patentability, and landscape analyses in areas such as CMOS‑compatible graphene synthesis, BEOL integration, and advanced interconnect architectures.
• Support and structure IP aspects of commercial agreements, NDAs, joint development agreements, and collaborations with foundries, equipment partners, and research institutions.
• Establish and maintain internal processes and training to encourage invention disclosure, safeguard trade secrets, and promote IP awareness across the organization.

Qualifications

• JD or equivalent law degree and active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction, with eligibility to practice as in‑house counsel in California.
• 7+ years of post‑qualification experience focused on patent counseling and strategy, with significant work on semiconductor, materials, or deep‑tech hardware portfolios.
• Strong background in patent prosecution and portfolio management for complex technologies, including experience coordinating filings across the USPTO, EPO, and major Asian patent offices.
• Technical degree (B.S., M.S., or Ph.D.) in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a closely related field strongly preferred, ideally with exposure to IC fabrication, interconnects, or advanced materials.
• Demonstrated experience handling portfolios of 100+ patents or applications, including prioritization, budget management, and aligning filings with product and business strategy.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to translate between highly technical R&D concepts and clear, actionable legal and business guidance for a fast‑paced startup environment.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to define and own the IP function at a fast‑growing semiconductor startup pioneering CMOS‑compatible graphene interconnects at industrial scale.
• Direct collaboration with world‑class technologists, inventors, and semiconductor industry leaders working at the forefront of next‑generation interconnect and equipment technologies.
• Competitive compensation package with meaningful influence on the strategic direction and long‑term value of the company’s IP assets.
• If interested, please send your resume and a brief note on your relevant IP experience (especially in semiconductors or advanced materials) to View email address on click.appcast.io.