In house Patent Attorney – Part Qualified

In house Patent Attorney – Part Qualified

Team – R&D/Legal

Location – Stockport

Contract – Permanent, Full time

About us

GroundWOW’s autonomous ground printers integrate Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Robotics to provide unrivalled ground marking capability to world leading sports stadia and venues. We’re a fast-paced scale-up that’s home to a team of highly talented people. We’re constantly developing innovative solutions to interesting problems, and we want you to join us!

About the job

This is an amazing opportunity to join GroundWOW at an early stage and help to create value through implementing our Intellectual Property (IP) strategy in-house. You will help GroundWOW manage and expand our growing IP portfolio by working at several stages of IP value creation, such as: invention capture and evaluation, patent search and analysis, patent drafting and overseeing the examination process for patent applications. As a technology business our IP is critical to safeguarding the thousands of hours of hard work put in by everyone across the business.  This role is hugely important to underpinning that IP and thereby all of our efforts. 

You will report to the Director of Value Creation, Legal & IP, an experienced dual qualified Patent attorney who will provide both supervision and the opportunity for professional development.  With her you will be a key member of the business’ legal team, working closely with the R&D function.

With a large degree of responsibility and the opportunity to make the role your own, you will get to:

• assist with the management of the growing number of GroundWOW patents, trademarks and copyrights, and protection of company know-how;
• perform patent searches, competitive analysis and IP landscape studies related to the company’s research and product development interests;
• assist with the management of the GroundWOW Invention Disclosure capture and evaluation process. This process involves the collation of invention disclosure submissions from different teams and their assessment for patentability against criteria of interest for the company;
• assist with the drafting of patent filings based on the outcomes of the Invention Disclosure capture and evaluation process
• coordinate with external counsel for patent application filings and the patent examination process from prosecution to grant; and
• organise IP discovery workshops - interactive discussions which can identify and challenge new ideas in GroundWOW R&D teams.

About you

The key skills and qualifications you have include:

• university degree in electrical/electronic engineering, physics, computer science, or a comparable qualification;
• at minimum a Foundation Level Patent Attorney Qualification (or local equivalence to UK Foundation level exam passes/QMUL certificate);
• excellent writing and communication skills in English; and
• proficiency in standard office environment software.

In addition, we would welcome:

• experience in original patent drafting;
• prior professional experience in an industrial patent department;
• knowledge of IP aspects in commercial contracts; and
• full/dual Patent Attorney qualification in UK/EPA/equivalent.

Benefits

The role comes with a number of benefits including:

• competitive salary;
• annual leave allowance of 22 days (excluding bank holidays);
• enhanced pension contribution;
• paternity/maternity leave;
• training and development; and
• regular social events including pizza lunches and monthly team building/wellbeing activities

We believe in equal opportunities

GroundWOW is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and so welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, with different outlooks and experiences.

To apply, please email Legal@groundwow.com.