Patent Technology Team Lead

Job Category: Legal & Corporate Affairs
Location: Redmond, WA, US
Job ID: 833353-108590
Division: Legal & Corporate Affairs

Patents are a key element of Microsoft's strategy - from establishing the value of Microsoft's longstanding R&D investments through the our patent licensing programs to creating and maintaining industry differentiating intellectual property to augmenting Microsoft's patent position through targeted licenses, acquisitions, and alliances with industry players. The Intellectual Property Group's (IPG) Patent Strategy team is an interdisciplinary team at the center of these activities and responsible for creating, maintaining and executing Microsoft's patent strategy.

We are looking for a unique individual who combines a deep knowledge of technology, a knowledge of or the ability to understand intellectual property and the ability to understand technology markets to anticipate the trends driving them. In this role you will work closely with licensing executives, engineers in Microsoft's various businesses, and patent prosecution and litigation attorneys in support of Microsoft's patent development, licensing programs, litigation efforts and acquisition efforts. Exemplary responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to:
Analyzing and making recommendations on patent portfolios that IPG is evaluating for acquisition to verify its condition and to inform its potential value
Evaluating 3rd party patents, when necessary, in support of licensing negotiations or litigation
Researching technology areas, including working with Microsoft engineering teams, to identify critical areas of technology that the will be important to Microsoft in the near future
Identifying and analyzing patents in Microsoft's portfolio that may be relevant to technologies that are being deployed widely
Review patent applications during key points during the patent lifecycle and provide detailed guidance on prosecution, international filing decisions, continuations, abandonments, etc.
Review potential ideas and provide input on which ones should be patented
Managing and reviewing work product of external vendors that provide portfolio analysis and patent mapping services
Project and team management of Patent Technology Team, including setting and communicating priorities and balancing workload across team members, and coordinating with other Patent Technology Team Leads.
Reporting status and results to IPG, LCA and Microsoft management
Contributing to the IPG's strategy development process by applying your technical proficiency and creative problem solving skills to recognize market trends, opportunities and threats.

Desired qualifications:
7-10 years in technology or patent practice of a technology company or law firm, with a focus on one of the following technology areas:
Wireless connectivity protocols, including WiFi, WiMax, CDCA, 2G/3G/4G/%G, WTE, WiDi, Bluetooth, RFID, NFC, etc. and hardware & infrastructure, such as connectors, transmitters, receivers, antennas, etc.; OR
Semiconductor and processors, including CPUs, GPUs, application processors, manufacturing processes, power consumption & management and semiconductor packaging; OR
Displays, touchscreens and sensors, such as CRT, plasma/PDP, LCD, DLP, liquid crystal/LCos, SED, PED, EPD/e-paper, OLED, etc., including manufacturing techniques and processes.
Advanced Degrees in EE, CS or Physics, or significant work experience in software or hardware development
J.D. or equivalent degree and member in good standing of a state bar
Experience in patent analysis and/or supporting Patent licensing activities
Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex situations to diverse audiences
Demonstrated outstanding written and verbal communication
Demonstrated advanced knowledge of Excel, proficiency in PowerPoint and ability to ramp quickly on a variety of analytical patent tools
Demonstrated ability to partner on projects with others, working across the IP organizations

This description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by an employee within this position. The actual duties, responsibilities and qualifications may vary based on assignment or group. Microsoft is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and strongly supports diversity in the workplace.

CB:Legal
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