Sr. Intellectual Property Counsel - (B6)

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:
$206,000.00 - $283,500.00

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

Applied Materials, Inc. is the global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce the world's most advanced chips and displays. Our technologies enable the innovations that power AI, IoT, and the devices that connect and enrich our world. If you are driven to shape the future of materials science and advanced manufacturing, join us and help deliver the next generation of breakthroughs.

About the Role

Join our collaborative and forward‑thinking Legal & Compliance Organization (LCO). Reporting into the IP Legal (IPL) team, you will serve as a strategic partner to product groups and executive leadership. In this role, you will provide high‑impact counsel on a broad range of intellectual property matters-spanning patents, trade secrets, trademarks, copyrights, and IP‑related transactions.

We are looking for a seasoned, business‑savvy IP counsel who thrives in a fast‑paced environment and is passionate about enabling innovation while protecting the company's competitive advantage.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic IP counsel to technical teams, business leaders, and senior management across patents, trade secrets, trademarks, copyrights, and key IP transactions (e.g., NDAs, JDAs, SRAs).
• Lead IP landscape analysis, risk assessments, freedom‑to‑operate evaluation, and development of long‑term IP sustainability strategies.
• Manage global patent and trademark portfolios, including drafting, prosecution, foreign filings, and portfolio optimization; oversee associated budgets and outside counsel.
• Partner with LCO colleagues to formulate and execute IP procurement, enforcement, and defensive strategies.
• Design and implement IP protection programs, including engineering training, risk‑mitigation processes, and best practices for safeguarding proprietary technology.
• Drive IP operational improvements, including policy updates, process enhancements, and alignment with global IP business needs.

• Strong intellectual capacity and high personal standards of excellence
• Strong business and technology acumen; capacity to understand the business and technology quickly
• Understand how to translate business needs into IP portfolio development & management
• Passionate, proactive, highly motivated self-starter
• Ability to work independently on a wide variety of tasks and drive results
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple competing tasks/projects at the same time
• Excellent organizational skills, including attention to detail and ability to create specific action plans based on general guidance and deliver results
• Ability to see the big picture and identify and design-out problems from the outset; continuous improvement mindset
• Strong customer focus, both internal and external
• Ability to work collaboratively across organizational boundaries, and with a diverse group of colleagues and internal clients in multiple countries
• Ability to lead and ability to perform as part of a team
• Flexible, personable and enjoys a dynamic corporate culture

• U.S. and international patent portfolio development & management, especially in Asia.
• Drafting and negotiating IP‑intensive agreements, including licensing, collaboration, research, and technology development agreements.
• IP laws and practices in Asia, including China, Korea, and Taiwan.
• Experience in IP enforcement, litigation strategy, claim construction, invalidity, and infringement analysis (preferred).
• Familiarity with global patent operations-administration, billing, docketing practices (preferred).