Intellectual Property Engineer

General Description:

The Intellectual Property Engineer is responsible for driving the company's intellectual property (IP) program, managing the patent pipeline, and ensuring the protection of our innovations. This role involves close collaboration with product development, product management, legal, and key stakeholders like sales, finance and the executive team, to maximize the value of our IP portfolio.

This position will be required onsite at our headquarters in Calgary AB or our office in Kitchener, ON at least two days per week.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's (or master’s) degree in engineering, computer science, or a related technical field.
• 3–5 years intellectual property management, patent law, or a related field (desirable).
• Strong understanding of patent law, prior art research, analysis, and patent processes.
• Excellent technical writing skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity with the connected safety or gas detection tech landscape (desirable)

Responsibilities:

1. IP Strategy Development

a. Assist with the company's IP strategy by identifying key areas for patent protection.

b. Align IP strategy with business objectives and emerging technologies.

2. Patent Pipeline Management

a. Develop and maintain patent pipeline tracking from ideas through to applications.

b. Ensure timely progression of patent applications and manage deadlines.

3. Prior Art Analysis

a. Analyze prior art related to the company's areas of interest.

b. Identify opportunities and risks in the patent landscape.

4. Invention Evaluation

a. Assist in evaluating the patentability and commercial potential of new inventions.

b. Conduct technical and market assessments to support IP decisions.

5. Collaboration with Product Development

a. Work closely with Product Development to understand emerging tech and adjacent innovation to support patentable invention pipeline.

b. Identify and document new inventions.

6. Innovation Path Support

a. Review prior art with a keen understanding to support alternate innovation paths.

b. Provide strategic guidance to ensure targeted capabilities are met.

7. Freedom-to-Operate Analyses

a. Support the company's goal to avoid patent infringement by conducting freedom-to-operate analyses.

b. Provide recommendations to mitigate IP risks.

8. Technical Reviews

a. Conduct thorough technical reviews of new Blackline innovations and developments.

b. Ensure technical robustness and alignment with IP strategy.

9. Patent Application Management

a. Draft technical descriptions and oversee patent application creation by partner agents.

b. Manage relationships with external patent agents and attorneys.

10. Legal Collaboration

a. Collaborate with external legal to ensure technical accuracy in patent filings.

b. Provide technical expertise during patent prosecution processes.

11. Infringement Claims Support

a. Support internal processes and reviews of any claims of infringement made to Blackline.

b. Assist in developing defense strategies and responses to claims.

12. Trend and Landscape Monitoring

a. Stay current with tech trends and patent landscape.

b. Monitor competitor IP activity.

c. Monitor competitor innovation and potential infringement of Blackline IP.

d. Identify potential areas of innovation and IP risks.

13. Stakeholder Engagement

a. Facilitate the patent process with transparent and accountable engagement with stakeholders.

b. Ensure clear communication and documentation throughout the IP process.

About Blackline Safety

Blackline Safety is a world leader in the development and manufacturing of wirelessly connected safety products. We offer the broadest and most complete portfolio available in the industry. Our products are designed to save lives and we monitor personnel working alone in populated areas, complex indoor facilities, and the remote reaches of our planet. Blackline’s products are used to keep people safe in the event of falls, missed check-ins, man-downs, and exposure to explosive or toxic gas. Our design, development, sales, marketing, support, and production are all performed in-house at our headquarters in Calgary, AB. Blackline Safety is a publicly-traded company (TSX: BLN). To learn more about our company visit www.blacklinesafety.com

Blackline Safety is powered by the diversity of our talented employees. We are an equal opportunity employer. We consider all applicants, regardless of age, religion, race, color, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, disability, national origin, race, or sexual orientation. We enthusiastically encourage all individuals to apply for positions that fit their passions.