Director, Global Intellectual Property

Description

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

We are seeking a strategic, forward-thinking, and collaborativeDirector, Global Intellectual Property (IP) to lead Hanwha Qcells’ Technology Team IP strategy, portfolio management, and innovation protection in the solar and energy solutions markets.

This is a critical leadership role within our Global Technology organization, ensuring our freedom to operate while securing the best possible protection for our intellectual property. The successful candidate will work closely with the Hanwha Solutions IP team to align IP strategy, processes, and standards globally.

The ideal candidate is:

• A fast learner who quickly grasps new technologies and industry trends.
• Decisive and strategic, making sound, timely decisions in a dynamic environment.
• Collaborative and transparent, able to influence and align stakeholders in a complex multinational organization.
• Energetic, self-motivated and adaptable, willing to learn and continuously improve.
• Humble and open to feedback, fostering a culture of growth and innovation.
• Empathetic, with strong leadership skills to attract, develop, and retain top talent.
• Service-oriented, recognizing that the IP team serves the R&D organization in support of business objectives

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and develop a world-class, global IP team, driving strategic, proactive IP management.
• Ensure freedom to operate in key, newly developed solar technologies.
• Identify, document, and protect new inventions in collaboration with R&D teams.
• Oversee and optimize the creation and maintenance of a robust patent portfolio, ensuring timely, strategic filings aligned with business objectives.
• Hire and oversee outside counsel to prepare and prosecute patent applications and provide other legal services.
• Manage the IP budget to ensure cost-effective, strategic IP protection. Continuously prune the patent portfolio to reflect technical and business priorities.
• Support licensing and enforcement activities.
• Partner with inventors to prepare high-quality invention disclosures, enabling strong patent applications.
• Foster a sense of urgency in protecting novel inventions, balancing speed and quality.
• Develop and deliver IP training to R&D teams, enhancing their ability to protect innovations and design around competitive IP.
• Conduct competitor IP analyses to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Collaborate with the global IP and R&D teams to implement efficient, scalable IP processes and tools that are integrated with the Technology Development Process.
• Drive continuous improvement in IP management operations and workflows, ensuring agility, effectiveness, and efficiency.
• Develop and implement inventor remuneration programs that motivate inventors, are compliant with local laws and supportive of business objectives.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, or Technology (Advanced degree preferred).
• 5+ years of experience in industrial IP management, with a focus on patents.
• 3+ years of leadership experience in a technical or IP/legal field.
• 3+ years of leadership experience in a global company, coordinating activities across international teams (Germany, Korea, US).
• Deep understanding of patent law and IP portfolio management, particularly in the EU and US markets.
• Experience developing and executing global patent filing strategies.
• Proven leadership experience, with the ability to motivate and manage teams across cultures.
• Excellent English language skills, with strong written communication abilities.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to lead through change and integrate IP strategy into broader corporate objectives.
• Hands-on mentality, actively engaging in problem-solving.
• Self-motivated, results-driven mindset, continuously improving processes and performance.
• Technical experience in solar cell, module, or semiconductor technologies.
• Experience with IP enforcement activities in Europe and/or the US.
• Experience inLean/Six Sigma methodologies to drive operational excellence.
• Proficiency in Korean or German (a plus but not required)

Why Join Us?

Be at the forefront of solar innovation, protecting cutting-edge technologies.
Lead in a fast-paced, global environment, working with top technical experts.
Drive meaningful impact, shaping the future of renewable energy.
Contribute to a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Location: US East Coast
Employment Type: Full-time, Remote

Hanwha Q CELLS Technologies, Inc. a subsidiary of Hanwha Q CELLS, one of the world’s largest and most recognized photovoltaic manufacturers for its high-performance, high-quality solar cells and modules. It is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea (Global Executive HQ) Talheim, Germany (Technology & Innovation HQ) and Santa Clara, CA, USA (HW and SW Product Development HQ). Through its growing global business network spanning Europe, North America, Asia, South America, Africa, and the Middle East, the company provides excellent services and long-term partnerships to its customers in the utility, commercial, government, and residential markets. Hanwha Q CELLS is a flagship company of Hanwha Group, a FORTUNE Global 500 firm and a Top 7 business enterprise in South Korea.

The salary range is required by the California Pay Transparency Act and may differ depending on the location of those candidates hired nationwide. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to, skill set, education, licenses and certifications, essential job duties and requirements, and the necessary experience relative to the job’s minimum qualifications.

• This target salary range is for CA positions only and should not be interpreted as an offer of compensation.

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