Senior Intellectual Property - Attorney

Title: Senior Intellectual Property (IP) Attorney

Location:

Cary, North Carolina, United States of America

New Berlin, Wisconsin, United States of America

Remote, United States of America

Remote, United States of America

Remote, United States of America

Full TimeRegular

Job Description:

At ABB, we help industries run leaner and cleaner—and every person here makes that happen. You’ll be empowered to lead, supported to grow, and proud of the impact we create together. Join us and help run what runs the world.

This position reports to:

Head of IP, US

The work model for the role is: Remote #LI-Onsite

Your role and responsibilities:

ABB is looking for a senior level IP attorney to join our US IP Legal team, reporting to the Head of IP for US. The successful candidate will be responsible for a wide variety of complex intellectual property matters covering new and existing product offerings, in support of a variety of business stakeholders across ABB. This IP attorney will partner closely with other members of the global IP Legal team, General Legal and other functions of the company as needed, providing strategic advice to technology and business leaders, with a goal of minimizing IP risks for ABB while advancing business goals and initiatives.

Our Team Dynamics 

Our teams support each other, collaborate, and never stop learning. Everyone brings something unique, and together we push ideas forward to solve real problems. Being part of our team means your work matters - because the progress we make here creates real impact out there. 

You will be mainly accountable for:

• Patent Portfolio Management: For a designated ABB technology/division, lead the decision-making process and implementation of invention disclosure harvesting, patent application drafting, prosecution, subsequent filing decisions, portfolio pruning and portfolio IP strategy, doing so by working closely with ABB inventors, technology leaders and outside IP counsel
• Trademark Counseling: Provide support for trademark prosecution, enforcement, and portfolio strategy including brand protection initiatives. Counsel business stakeholders on brand protection initiatives. Negotiate license and coexistence agreements
• Copyright Counseling: Providing guidance on copyright topics such as copyright disputes, licensing, strategy and legal issues such as fair use and AI related topics.
• IP Agreements & Other IP Work: Draft, negotiate and advise on a variety of IP related agreements and clauses regarding IP ownership, IP indemnity and more, in general business transactions as well as strategic partnerships, university partnerships, joint development, licensing, software licensing. Learn and build skills regarding Freedom to Operate / Risk Assessments (counsel the company on what they can do considering 3rd party IP), IP Support to M&A projects, and other IP topics as they arise. Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams of ABB (e.g., General Legal, product management, sales, marketing, business IP coordinators) to jointly provide optimal IP services to business stakeholders. Communicate with business stakeholders ensuring accuracy of complex IP data, strong presentation skills and strong relationship skills with business partners. Provide training to the business community as needed, on a variety of IP topics

Qualifications for the role:

• Education & Licensing: Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school; active license to practice in at least one U.S. state; USPTO registration required.
• IP Law Experience: 6+ years of broad intellectual property experience, including patent drafting and prosecution, trademarks, IP agreements, and opinion work; law firm and in-house experience preferred.
• Technical Expertise: Bachelor’s degree with a technical background aligned to relevant technologies (e.g., electrification, industrial systems, robotics, or automation).
• Core IP Practice Strengths: Demonstrated experience in patent portfolio management, trademark counseling, and drafting/negotiating complex IP agreements (including ownership, licensing, and joint development).
• Business Partnership & Execution: Proven ability to collaborate with senior business and technical leaders, manage projects, deliver actionable IP strategies, and balance risk with business objectives.
• Key Competencies: Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills; strong interpersonal effectiveness; highly organized, self-driven, and able to quickly learn new technologies while managing multiple priorities.
• Candidates must already have work authorization that would permit them to work for ABB in the US.

More about us:

ABB Motion provides pioneering technology, products, solutions and related services to industrial customers to increase energy efficiency, improve safety and reliability, and maintain precise control over processes. The portfolio includes motors, generators and drives for a wide range of applications in all industrial sectors.

What's in it for you

We want you to bring your full self to work—your ideas, your energy, your ambition. You’ll have the tools and freedom to grow your skills, shape your path, and take on challenges that matter. Here, your work creates impact you can see and feel, every day.

ABB is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer for protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities at ABB. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their- sex (gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation), marital status, citizenship, age,  race and ethnicity, inclusive of traits historically associated with race or ethnicity, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles, color, religious creed, national origin, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal and state law. 

While base salary is determined by things such as the successful applicant’s qualifications and experience, this position is expected to pay between $142,500 and $237,500 annually and is eligible for a short-term incentive plan/annual bonus.

ABB Benefit Summary for eligible US employees 

Health, Life & Disability 

• Choice between two medical plan options: A PPO plan called the Copay Plan OR a High Deductible Health Plan (with a Health Savings Account) called the High Deductible Plan.   
• Choice between two dental plan options: Core and Core Plus 
• Vision benefit 
• Company paid life insurance (2X base pay) 
• Company paid AD&D (1X base pay) 
• Voluntary life and AD&D – 100% employee paid up to maximums 
• Short Term Disability – up to 26 weeks – Company paid 
• Long Term Disability – 60% of pay – Company paid.  Ability to “buy-up” to 66 2/3% of pay. 
• Supplemental benefits – 100% employee paid (Accident insurance, hospital indemnity, critical illness, pet insurance 
• Paid Parental Leave 
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Health Advocate support resources for mental/behavioral health, general health navigation and virtual health, and infertility/adoption 
• Employee discount program 

Retirement 

• 401k Savings Plan with Company Contributions   
• Employee Stock Acquisition Plan (ESAP)  

Time off

ABB provides 11 paid holidays. Salaried exempt positions are provided vacation under a permissive time\

Time off

ABB provides 11 paid holidays. Salaried exempt positions are provided vacation under a permissive time away policy.

#ABBCareers

#RunwithABB

#Runwhatrunstheworld

Building a cleaner, smarter future takes all kinds of minds: the curious, the courageous, and the creative. That's why we welcome people from all backgrounds and experiences.

Requisition ID: JR00035325

Important: In order to be employed by ABB you will need to fully comply with/fulfill all local ABB employment requirements/processes.