In PersonBased in Houston; some international travel, particularly during initial onboarding and as needed to collaborate with global teams.
LegalIntellectual Property (IP)
About the job
Requirements
A bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
At least 7 years of relevant experience in engineering, product development, innovation, intellectual property, patent strategy, or a related technical field.
Strong understanding of mechanical systems, physical products, and product functionality.
Experience analyzing patents, technical documentation, engineering drawings, or similar technical materials.
Experience working with patents and the intellectual property process.
Ability to communicate complex technical and intellectual property concepts to engineering and executive audiences.
Strong analytical, research, and communication skills.
Ability to work independently while collaborating across a global organization.
Responsibilities
Monitor competitor patents, patent applications, continuations, and emerging technologies.
Conduct patent landscape and competitive technology intelligence analysis.
Partner with engineering and product development teams to identify potentially patentable innovations.
Support preliminary freedom-to-operate and design-around assessments.
Analyze patents and translate technical claims into practical guidance for engineering teams.
Identify potential intellectual property risks and opportunities during the product development process.
Support invention disclosures and the patent development process.
Coordinate technical activities with external patent counsel.
Help establish a repeatable internal patent intelligence and intellectual property strategy process.
Develop technology intelligence reporting and recommendations for executive leadership.
Monitor global technology and patent developments that could impact the company's products and competitive position.
Desired Qualifications
Experience in patent strategy and portfolio management.
Experience in patentability and prior-art analysis.
Experience in freedom-to-operate analysis.
Experience in design-around strategy.
Experience in competitive patent or technology landscape analysis.
Experience with invention disclosures and patent prosecution support.
Experience working directly with patent attorneys or outside intellectual property counsel.
Experience with patent claim analysis or claim-chart development.
U.S. patent bar registration.
Experience with global patent portfolios.
Industry experience involving engineered products, manufacturing, retail fixtures, shelving systems, material handling, plastics, metal fabrication, consumer products, industrial equipment, or related physical products.
Salary Range: 140000 to 180000 (Currency: USD) (Pay period: per-year-salary)
Location: Houston, TX Compensation: $140,000–$180,000 base + 25% target bonus Position Type: Full-Time | Senior Individual Contributor
Robbins Recruiting Solutions is partnering with a global engineering and manufacturing organization to identify a Director of Technology Intelligence & Intellectual Property Strategy.
This is a unique opportunity for an experienced engineering and intellectual property professional who enjoys working at the intersection of product development, innovation, competitive technology intelligence, and patent strategy.
This is not a traditional legal or people-management position. Rather, this individual will serve as a highly visible technical and strategic advisor, partnering with engineering, product development, executive leadership, and external patent counsel to help protect innovation and guide future product development.
What You'll Do
In this role, you will:
Monitor competitor patents, patent applications, continuations, and emerging technologies
Conduct patent landscape and competitive technology intelligence analysis
Partner with engineering and product development teams to identify potentially patentable innovations
Support preliminary freedom-to-operate (FTO) and design-around assessments
Analyze patents and translate technical claims into practical guidance for engineering teams
Identify potential IP risks and opportunities during the product development process
Support invention disclosures and the patent development process
Coordinate technical activities with external patent counsel
Help establish a repeatable internal patent intelligence and IP strategy process
Develop technology intelligence reporting and recommendations for executive leadership
Monitor global technology and patent developments that could impact the company's products and competitive position
What We're Looking For
The ideal candidate combines a strong engineering foundation with meaningful patent and intellectual property experience.
Qualifications include:
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline
7+ years of relevant experience within engineering, product development, innovation, intellectual property, patent strategy, or a related technical field
Strong understanding of mechanical systems, physical products, and product functionality
Experience analyzing patents, technical documentation, engineering drawings, or similar technical materials
Experience working with patents and the intellectual property process
Ability to communicate complex technical and IP concepts to both engineering and executive audiences
Strong analytical, research, and communication skills
Ability to work independently while collaborating across a global organization
Experience That Would Be Especially Valuable
We would be particularly interested in candidates with experience in one or more of the following:
Patent strategy and portfolio management
Patentability and prior-art analysis
Freedom-to-operate (FTO) analysis
Design-around strategy
Competitive patent or technology landscape analysis
Invention disclosures and patent prosecution support
Working directly with patent attorneys or outside IP counsel
Patent claim analysis or claim-chart development
U.S. patent bar registration
Global patent portfolios
Industry experience involving engineered products, manufacturing, retail fixtures, shelving systems, material handling, plastics, metal fabrication, consumer products, industrial equipment, or related physical products is also highly desirable.
We are open to candidates coming from different career paths. The common denominator is the ability to understand how products are engineered and how innovation intersects with patents and intellectual property.
Why Consider This Opportunity?
This is a newly created position with the opportunity to build and shape the company's approach to technology intelligence and intellectual property strategy.
You'll have the opportunity to:
Work directly with senior executive and technical leadership
Influence global product development and innovation strategy
Establish processes and best practices rather than simply inherit them
Serve as the bridge between engineering, product development, and intellectual property
Gain exposure across a global organization
Take on broad strategic responsibility without direct people-management responsibilities
The position is based in Houston, Texas and will include some international travel, particularly during the initial onboarding period and as needed to collaborate with global teams.
Compensation: $140,000–$180,000 base salary, depending on experience, plus a 25% target bonus.
Robbins Recruiting Solutions is an equal opportunity recruiting partner. Qualified candidates will be considered based on experience, skills, and alignment with the requirements of the position.