Intellectual Property Portfolio Manager Job Listing at Tenneco in Grass Lake, MI

Position Summary

Provide support to Intellectual Property Management Organization, Patent Committees, Inventors and Business Units in the development, documentation, protection and management of Tenneco’s patent portfolio, trade secrets and licensing initiatives. 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Act as an advocate for building and capitalizing on IP.  

Manage patent portfolio which includes conferring with and providing direction to outside patent counsel and maintaining the database of all Tenneco’s patents and trade secrets.

Attend meetings of Business Units Patent Committees and Innovation Strategy Advisory Group, providing I.P. support and direction.

Assist in training and orientation of company personnel in policy and procedures for identifying, documenting and protecting inventions, including the preparation of patent disclosures and proper documentation of product and process development work.

Provide support for engineering development activities and business opportunities in adjacent markets (e.g., heavy duty, marine, specialty and emerging markets) and in new technologies (e.g. thermal enhancement devices, digital shock absorbers and elastomer hydro-bushings).

Conduct preliminary screening of ideas and designs for competitive threats, prior art, state of the art and potential areas of infringement. Coordinate review with patent counsel. Assist in dissemination of results of competitive watches.

Assist in/conduct fact investigations to support possible licensing activities: monitor market developments, competitor activities and inventions; obtain product samples for infringement analysis; collect data respecting royalty/license fee model; review prior art. 

Manage employee-inventor reward and recognition program. 

Assist in review of existing portfolio to identify the value of each patent and develop a plan for its use or disposition (e.g., core technology, blocking, licensing, donation or sale).

Supervise work of IP Administrative Assistant

 QUALIFICATIONS

BS in Engineering or

Minimum 10 years’ experience in technology management; automotive experience a plus

Strong writing, communication and computer skills.

Well organized

Detail-oriented

Good interpersonal skills

Strong writing and communication skills

Ability to analyze complex engineering and business concepts and use results to guide portfolio development efforts.

10 years or more experience in intellectual property management; automotive technology experience a plus.