Waymo · 4 days ago
IP Counsel
Mountain View, CA
Full-time
Hybrid
Senior Level
$238K/yr - $302K/yr
6+ years expWaymo is an autonomous driving technology company focused on building the Waymo Driver to improve mobility and safety. The IP Counsel will manage a global patent portfolio, advise on IP issues, and collaborate with various teams to ensure compliance and protect intellectual property.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)AutomotiveAutonomous VehiclesSensorTransportation
Responsibilities
Strategically build and manage a global patent portfolio for key technology areas, including AI/ML and autonomous driving software (e.g., perception, planning, routing, etc.), including managing the full patent life cycle, from conducting patent harvest sessions and disclosure reviews to strategic filing decisions, global prosecution, portfolio maintenance and strategic portfolio analysis, and managing outside patent counsel to ensure timely, high-quality, and targeted work product
Advise business teams, engineers, and researchers on IP issues regarding foundation models, data rights, license terms, and open-source compliance, and provide counseling on IP terms in commercial and corporate matters
Collaborate cross-functionally, with other legal team members and technical teams, on IP-related issues in agreements with partners, vendors, and academic institutions
Review and provide guidance on academic papers, publications, presentations, blog posts, and other public disclosures to manage IP risks and ensure confidential information is protected
Manage responses to IP-related communications, working cross-functionally across legal and business teams, including potentially evaluating acquisition and licensing opportunities
As needed, assist other attorneys with counseling on AI-related legal risks arising from current and planned uses of AI technologies
Qualification
Required
JD degree with a strong academic record, state bar membership, admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and 6+ years of relevant legal experience
Solid technical background/understanding of technology used in autonomous vehicles, AI/ML, robotics, or complex software systems
Demonstrated experience in: managing a global patent portfolio and patent analysis, providing direct counseling to engineering and research teams, and advising on IP terms in commercial or collaboration agreements
Experience with understanding cross-functional perspectives and navigating ambiguity. Ability to identify and create streamlined processes to support a growing company
Execution-oriented individual with strong interpersonal, communication, and team skills. Experience presenting to senior management and technical teams
Eagerness to work in a startup environment and flexibly roll up your sleeves as an individual contributor to help drive our fast-paced and dynamic business within an emerging and rapidly developing industry
Preferred
Prior in-house experience working side-by-side with engineering, product, partnerships, marketing, and leadership teams to spot, address, and counsel on IP and AI issues
Experience developing integrated IP strategies that support business goals, spanning patent prosecution, technology licensing, and patent litigation
Demonstrated experience in: patent acquisition, licensing, litigation, and/or handling of third party demands
Experience advising on and negotiating agreements with universities
Experience guiding teams on mitigating AI-related legal risks, including with respect to copyrights, trade secrets, privacy, and compliance with applicable regulations
Benefits
Waymo employees are also eligible to participate in Waymo’s discretionary annual bonus program
Equity incentive plan
Generous Company benefits program
Company
Waymo
Waymo is a mobility technology company that improves transportation by developing self-driving solutions for travelers and daily commuters. It is a sub-organization of Alphabet.
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Waymo has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (231)
2024 (175)
2023 (268)
2022 (306)
2021 (298)
2020 (317)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$11.1BKey Investors
Alphabet
2024-07-23Series C· $5.6B
2021-06-16Series B· $2.5B
2020-05-12Series A· $750M
Leadership Team
Tekedra Mawakana
Co-Chief Executive Officer
Elisa de Martel
Chief Financial Officer
Recent News
2026-01-12
PYMNTS.com
2026-01-12
Company data provided by crunchbase