Who We Are

Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting-edge equipment that helps our customers manufacture display and semiconductor chips – the brains of devices we use every day. As the foundation of the global electronics industry, Applied enables the exciting technologies that literally connect our world – like AI and IoT. If you want to push the boundaries of materials science and engineering to create next generation technology, join us to deliver material innovation that changes the world.

What We Offer

Salary:

$212,000.00 - $291,500.00

Location:

Santa Clara,CA

You’ll benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop, and grow your career as you take on challenges and drive innovative solutions for our customers. We empower our team to push the boundaries of what is possible—while learning every day in a supportive leading global company. Visit our Careers website to learn more.

At Applied Materials, we care about the health and wellbeing of our employees. We’re committed to providing programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth and care for you at work, at home, or wherever you may go. Learn more about our benefits.

Director, Intellectual Property Counsel

About the Role

We are seeking a highly technical, hands-on Patent Counsel to support advanced and emerging technology initiatives within the company’s R&D and technology organizations. Reporting into the IP Legal team, this role partners closely with engineering teams, business leadership, and senior IP counsel to support the development and execution of IP strategies that protect innovation and enable long-term competitive advantage.

The position requires strong technical depth, a practical and execution-oriented mindset, and the ability to operate effectively in fast-evolving, pre-product environments.

Key Responsibilities

Provide IP counsel to engineering and business teams across patents, trade secrets, and other IP matters, aligned with business and technology objectives.

Conduct IP landscape analyses, freedom-to-operate assessments, and risk evaluations, translating findings into actionable guidance for technical and business stakeholders.

Support development and execution of IP strategies aligned to key product and business drivers (e.g., performance, cost, cycle time), identifying opportunities to strengthen competitive positioning.

Manage and develop patent portfolios for assigned programs, including invention capture, prosecution strategy, foreign filing decisions, and outside counsel coordination.

Apply & support patent vs. trade secret decision frameworks, assisting in evaluating disclosure risks and supporting implementation of trade secret protection practices.

Partner with cross-functional teams (e.g., commercial legal, engineering, supply chain) to support IP aspects of agreements, collaborations, and ecosystem engagements.

Support IP enforcement and defensive activities, including claim analysis, prior art review, and collaboration with litigation counsel.

Contribute to IP process improvements, training initiatives, and best practices to enhance protection of proprietary technologies.

Skills and Attributes

Strong technical capability with the ability to quickly understand complex systems and engage effectively with engineering teams

Ability to translate technical developments into practical IP strategies and actions

Strong ownership mindset with the ability to operate independently while aligning with broader team and organizational priorities

Effective communicator with the ability to influence stakeholders across functions and levels

Collaborative, adaptable, and able to operate in dynamic, fast-paced environments

Basic Qualifications (Minimum Qualifications)

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.

Active U.S. state bar membership in good standing (California preferred, not required).

Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Technical degree in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related field.

6-10 years of intellectual property legal experience in a law firm and/or in-house setting, including:

U.S. and international patent portfolio development and management, including prosecution strategy and global coordination.

Conducting IP landscape analyses and freedom-to-operate assessments.

Supporting IP aspects of technology, licensing, or collaboration agreements.

IP laws and practices in Asia, including China, Korea, and Taiwan.

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced technical degree (MS or PhD) in a relevant discipline

Experience working with advanced R&D or CTO-type organizations, supporting early-stage or pre-product technologies

Experience with semiconductor or adjacent technologies (e.g., advanced packaging, photonics, optoelectronics, or quantum-related technologies)

Experience supporting IP enforcement or dispute strategies, including invalidity and infringement analysis

Familiarity with global patent operations, including portfolio management, budgeting, and outside counsel oversight

Experience advising on or managing IP portfolios related to semiconductors or emerging technologies (e.g., photonics, optoelectronics, advanced packaging, or quantum-related technologies)

Additional Information

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Type:

Assignee / Regular

Travel:

Yes, 25% of the Time

Relocation Eligible:

No

The salary offered to a selected candidate will be based on multiple factors including location, hire grade, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and with consideration of internal equity of our current team members. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable.

For all sales roles, the posted salary range is the Target Total Cash (TTC) range for the role, which is the sum of base salary and target bonus amount at 100% goal achievement.

Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

In addition, Applied endeavors to make our careers site accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us via e-mail at Accommodations_Program@amat.com, or by calling our HR Direct Help Line at 877-612-7547, option 1, and following the prompts to speak to an HR Advisor. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.