IP Counsel

Sulzer is a leading engineering company with a proud heritage of innovation. Join our global team to grow your expertise and develop innovative solutions that enable a prosperous and more sustainable society.

About the role

The Legal / Compliance Sr. Specialist is responsible for applying advanced legal and compliance knowledge to manage projects independently, ensuring the organization’s adherence to laws and internal policies. This role also supports junior professionals through coaching and review. This job profile is intended for specialist professionals that apply advanced knowledge of a job area. Required to manage projects / processes independently with limited supervision. Typically coaches and reviews the work of lower level experts.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Patent and Trademark Prosecution: Manage and assess IP disclosures. Assist Business Units in the decision as to whether to seek patent protection. Responsible for drafting and filing patent and trademark registration applications internally, while also managing and supervising related applications handled by outside counsel, incl. related costs. Responsibility for local priority applications

• IP Operational Management: Effectively manage the entire IP lifecycle by leveraging internal systems and tools.

• Intellectual Property Right Searching: Manage and control the process for searching patent information databases for patentability, validity, IP landscape, freedom to operate and infringement assessment purposes

• Infringement Opinions: Procure and provide infringement, validity, freedom-to-operate (FTO) and trademark availability clearance opinions, either internally or with the use of outside counsel/IP search service provider

• Third Party IP Conflicts: Contribute to the process for resolving conflicts with third parties concerning own or third-party IP rights or misappropriated own IP, in particular via third party observations, oppositions, C&D letters and negotiated settlement agreements

• Contract Advice: Provide advice on IP aspects for confidentiality agreements and contribute to setting up licensing agreements and IP conflict settlement agreements

• Prepare and deliver IP education in the form of seminars or presentations for engineers, sales and marketing managers and senior business leaders and provide guidance and support for all IP-related questions of the business

Qualifications:

• University-level education in chemistry, chemical or process engineering and Patent bar qualification

• At least 5 years working experience in IP, preferably in the chemistry or chemical/process engineering domain

• Experienced in patent prosecution and FTO

• Previous exposure to trademark and/or trade secret is a plus

• Highly organized professional with the ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities

• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy in all aspects of work

• Demonstrated ability to negotiate and draft IP agreements

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to build and maintain professional relationships

• A strategic mindset

• Fluency in English

• Flexibility to travel on demand

What we offer you

target bonus: 18.33% of annual income

Sulzer is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in the strength of a diverse workforce and are committed to offering an inclusive work environment.
 

We are proud to be recognized as a Top Employer 2026 in Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Switzerland, South Africa, the UK and the USA.