Principal IP Licensing Manager (Technical Program Management)

Principal IP Licensing Manager

Join a small, highly collaborative team at the center of NXP's semiconductor R&D organization. The team is responsible for sourcing, licensing, and managing third-party IP used in advanced SoCs across automotive, connectivity, and edge processing markets. You will work at the intersection of engineering, product strategy, and business decision-making, enabling the integration of external technologies into NXP products that power modern vehicles, connected devices, and industrial systems.

As a Principal IP Licensing Manager, you will lead the sourcing and integration of third-party semiconductor IP (Intellectual Property), from early IP evaluation through supplier selection and delivery into silicon. You will operate across technical and business domains, working with architects, design engineers, product teams, legal, procurement, and finance to define requirements, evaluate IP solutions and suppliers, and execute licensing strategies. You will be expected to contribute based on your existing technical experience while continuously expanding your knowledge across IP domains and technical areas (e.g., design, integration, validation, and test) to enable more effective engagement with internal and external stakeholders.

Key responsibilities include:

• Driving IP sourcing strategy, including roadmapping, benchmarking, and evaluation of third-party IP solutions and suppliers
• Leading technical engagements with suppliers, including requirements definition, design alignment, and technical negotiations
• Advising and supporting Procurement in commercial negotiations through cost modeling, technical trade-off analysis, and contract input
• Managing supplier relationships, performance, and escalations throughout program execution
• Owning financial tracking, forecasting, and decision support for IP licensing activities
• Ensuring compliance with licensing agreements and internal governance processes

This role requires strong program leadership to align stakeholders, influence decisions, and deliver external IP into complex SoC programs on time and within budget.

Minimum qualifications:

• B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering or related field
• 9+ years of experience in semiconductor development (design, verification, systems, or related areas)
• Experience leading cross-functional projects or programs in a technical environment

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience with third-party IP sourcing, evaluation, or integration in SoC development
• Experience working directly with external suppliers and influencing technical outcomes
• Familiarity with licensing concepts and participation in contract or supplier negotiations
• Experience with cost modeling, financial analysis, or budgeting

Key competencies:

• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence senior technical and business stakeholders
• Ability to operate across technical and non-technical domains with a systems-level perspective
• Structured problem-solving and data-driven decision making
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional efforts and drive results in complex environments

NXP is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer regardless of age, color, national origin, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, status as a disabled veteran and/or veteran of the Vietnam Era or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, NXP will provide reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified disabled individuals.