Director, Intellectual Property Counsel, Digital, Robotics, and Enabling Technologies (DRE)- Remote

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Position Summary

This role is to provide direct IP legal support for Stryker's Digital, Robotics, and Enabling Technologies (DRE) division, including its surgical planning and navigation systems, cloud/connectivity, data analytics, and AI/ML solutions. This position is responsible for developing and executing an effective IP strategy in collaboration with the division's IP team and DRE division counsel. It includes advising internal clients and managing outside counsel on a wide range of issues involving patents, trade secrets, trademarks, and copyrights, including agreements, freedom to operate, M&A, and IP risk mitigation. This attorney will closely collaborate with IP managers, IP litigation counsel, DRE division counsel, R&D, business development, and DRE leadership. Additionally, the role entails working alongside R&D and Concept Development teams to identify and protect intellectual property in the areas of digital, robotics, and emerging technologies.

Education & Special Trainings

• Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering/science, biomedical engineering or equivalent.
• Juris Doctor degree and member in good standing of at least one U.S. state bar.
• Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.
• Excellent academic credentials.

Qualifications and Experience

• 10+ years of relevant experience, with a preference for in-house IP legal expertise, showcasing proficiency in digital, AI/ML, and software-enabled technologies.
• Proven ability and extensive experience in formulating, overseeing, and directing patent preparation and prosecution processes for digital, AI/ML, and software-enabled technologies.
• Comfort and experience in working within a matrixed organization, collaborating across various functions.
• Strong background in handling patent clearance and freedom-to-operate issues.
• Expertise in negotiating technology agreements, including licenses and IP provisions.
• Exhibits excellent judgment, professional demeanor, business acumen, and executive presence.
• Demonstrates the ability to collaborate with and lead project initiatives with colleagues and business partners in a global setting.
• Proactively initiates, embraces, and drives change in a dynamic environment.
• Responds positively to evolving needs and demands.
• Thrives both independently and as a team player.
• Demonstrated ability to inspire, educate, and empower others.
• Possesses exceptional analytical and drafting skills for transactions.
• Experience providing timely legal advice in a highly regulated environment.
• Displays and promotes a commitment to integrity and accountability.
• Excellent organizational skills with the capability to manage multiple projects and conflicting demands in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate at all levels, including senior executive level, within a corporate organization.
• Uphold strict confidentiality standards with highly sensitive information.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide full range of IP legal services, including overseeing patent preparation, prosecution, clearance studies, client counseling, and strategic IP implementation in assigned areas.
• Collaborate with IP team for effective management of patent prosecution and portfolio growth.
• Provide legal guidance and manage outside counsel on patentability, landscape searching, and freedom to operate matters.
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex IP agreements, including licenses and IP provisions in other agreements.
• Conduct legal analysis and provide counsel on diverse IP issues, including patent, trade secret, copyright, and trademark law.
• Lead or support IP due diligence on business acquisitions involving digital, AI/ML, and software-enabled technologies.
• Conduct regular training sessions for supported business units on IP topics, emphasizing on patentability and protection of digital, AI/ML, and software-enabled technologies through various IP mechanisms (e.g., patents, trade secrets, copyright, and agreements).
• Support operations in various Stryker locations.
• Lead or support patent enforcement activities, monitoring, and reviewing competitive actions.
• Manage trademark clearance and usage considerations.
• Work closely with IP legal team and DRE division management on IP litigation and legal claims.
• Other duties as assigned by VP, Intellectual Property Counsel, Orthopaedics & Spine Group.

Salary

• $184,000- $312,000salary plus bonus eligible + generally eligible for short-term and long-term financial incentives + benefits. Actual minimum and maximum may vary based on location. Individual pay is based on skills, experience, and other relevant factors.

About Stryker

Our benefits:

• 12 paid holidays annually
• Health benefits include: Medical and prescription drug insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, critical illness insurance, accident insurance, hospital indemnity insurance, personalized healthcare support, wellbeing program and tobacco cessation program.
• Financial benefits include Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), 401(k) plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), basic life and AD&D insurance, and short-term disability insurance.

For a more detailed overview of our benefits or time off, please follow this link to learn more: US Stryker employee benefits

About Stryker
Stryker is a global leader in medical technologies and, together with its customers, is driven to make healthcare better. The company offers innovative products and services in MedSurg, Neurotechnology, Orthopaedics and Spine that help improve patient and healthcare outcomes. Alongside its customers around the world, Stryker impacts more than 130 million patients annually. More information is available at stryker.com.

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Stryker is driven to work together with our customers to make healthcare better. Employees and new hires in sales and field roles that require access to customer accounts as a function of the job may be required, depending on customer requirements, to obtain various vaccinations as an essential function of their role.