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Job Summary

Job Description

Role Overview
The Intellectual Property Attorney III serves as a primary legal resource for assigned IP portfolios, technology areas, or business units. Work is performed independently under limited supervision and often requires interpretation of law, policy, and business context. The role partners closely with R&D, engineering, IT, marketing, product, and external counsel to manage IP strategy, resolve non‑routine matters, and advise on legal and commercial risks.
The position typically reports to a Senior Intellectual Property Attorney, Managing Counsel, or Legal Director.

Key Responsibilities
Intellectual Property Strategy & Legal Advisory

Independently manage a portfolio of patents, trademarks, copyrights, or trade secrets
Provide legal advice to business and technical teams on IP protection, use, and risk
Interpret IP laws, regulations, and policies to support innovation and business objectives
Identify and proactively address IP risks and opportunities

Patent & Trademark Portfolio Leadership

Review and evaluate invention disclosures and recommend filing, continuation, or abandonment strategies
Coordinate and oversee preparation, prosecution, and maintenance of IP filings with external counsel
Make strategic recommendations regarding portfolio development, optimization, and enforcement
Ensure accurate docketing, recordkeeping, and deadline management

IP Transactions, Licensing & Agreements

Support drafting, review, and negotiation of IP‑related agreements within defined authority
Advise on IP ownership, licensing, collaboration, and joint development arrangements
Assist with due diligence related to mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, or partnerships
Escalate high‑risk or novel contractual issues with analysis and recommendations

Disputes, Enforcement & Risk Management

Support enforcement of IP rights, including infringement analysis and response strategies
Assist with IP disputes, negotiations, or litigation support activities
Conduct freedom‑to‑operate assessments and risk evaluations
Collaborate with outside counsel on escalated or complex matters

Compliance, Governance & Process Improvement

Ensure adherence to IP governance standards, internal controls, and best practices
Support audits, investigations, and regulatory or internal reviews related to IP
Identify process gaps or inefficiencies and contribute to improvement initiatives
Promote consistent application of IP policies across the organization

Guidance, Mentoring & Collaboration

Provide guidance and informal mentoring to Intellectual Property Attorney I–II or legal staff
Collaborate cross‑functionally to align IP strategy with business goals
Communicate complex legal concepts clearly to technical and non‑technical audiences
Contribute to knowledge sharing and capability development within the Legal team


Scope & Impact

Direct impact on functional and business unit outcomes through effective IP management
Work includes moderately complex, non‑routine matters requiring independent judgment
Influences risk posture, innovation strategy, and competitive positioning


Qualifications
Education & Experience

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school required
Active admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction required
Several years of experience in intellectual property law, including in‑house and/or law‑firm practice preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Broad working knowledge of U.S. and/or international intellectual property law
Strong legal analysis, drafting, and problem‑solving skills
Ability to manage matters independently and apply sound legal judgment
Effective communication and influencing skills
Ability to collaborate with technical, business, and legal stakeholders
Strong organizational and project‑management capabilities

Additional Job Details

Professional – P3

Organizational Impact

• Works to achieve operational, functional, and/or business targets within team with direct impact on departmental or job family results
• Established professional; works under limited supervision
• Works independently on moderately complex projects/assignments and contributes to setting objectives or goals of projects and assignments within team

Communication & Influence

• Communicates with employees both within and occasionally outside of the department and/or job family on matters that require explanation, interpretation and/or advising; may communicate with external clients or partners depending upon the job area
• Influences employees within the department at an operational level regarding concepts or practices and some advisement on approaches

Innovation & Complexity

• Responsible for making moderate improvements of processes, procedures, or systems to contribute to the performance of the team
• Problems faced are difficult and mildly complex and typically impact the job family and/or multiple teams

Leadership & Talent Management

• Provides assistance and training to other employees
• May lead significant parts of moderately complex projects or processes

Knowledge & Experience

• Requires advanced job knowledge and demonstrated competence within department, typically obtained through advanced education and relevant experience
• Requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience and minimum 5 years of prior relevant experience

Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action at Nidec
Nidec is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Affirmative Action Employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to their age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, genetic information, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. For more information regarding your (EEO) rights as an applicant, please visit the following website: http://www1.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf

Work Shift Schedule

No Soliciting

Nidec will not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third party recruiting agencies in response to Nidec job postings. No fee will be paid to third parties who submit unsolicited candidates directly to our hiring managers. Pre-approval from the Nidec Talent Acquisition team is required before any external candidate can be submitted and such candidate must be submitted to the Nidec Talent Acquisition team.