PATENT ENGINEER (INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGER) (F/M)

About Oceanwings

In a world facing unprecedented environmental challenges, Oceanwings has developed an innovative wind-powered solution to unlock the decarbonisation of global maritime transport using sustainable hybrid propulsion. Oceanwings® is a patented, automated, self-raising and lowering vertical wingsail system that enables newbuild or existing ships to significantly reduce their fuel consumption and resulting carbon footprint, by harnessing the power of nature.

Founded in 2018, OceanWings is a French industrial start-up with headquarters in Paris and a factory in the port area of Blainville-sur-Orne in Caen, which benefits from direct access to the sea. Bringing together more than fifty passionate men and women with diverse expertise, the company has recently equipped the newbuild cargo ship, Canopée, with four of its first 37-metre-high Oceanwings® wingsails.

Job Overview

OceanWings is looking for a senior IP Manager, who will report to the company's VP R&D. This is a full-time role (CDI) based in our Paris office.

You will benefit from the flexible hybrid work schedule at OceanWings . French and English will be your two working languages. This position is also open to first confirmed experienced IP responsible willing to increase her/his fields of expertise in IP for innovation in transport decarbonation, effective use of big data, machine learning, software IP and protection.

At OceanWings , you will be responsible for defining and implementing strategies to protect the company’s intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. You will also oversee the management of the company’s intellectual property portfolio, including licensing, litigation and enforcement. You will be empowered to challenge the innovation process including scouting academic partners as well as related start-up ecosystems.

Main Missions

• Instill IP protection culture.
• Ensure a thorough identification of potential inventions.
• Assess the patentability of inventions.
• Draft, file and follow-up procedures with various organizations, alone or with our IP advisor (CPI).
• Assist in handling and managing patent-related disputes.
• Participate in the development and management of OceanWings's intellectual property strategy (raise awareness among the R&D teams, proceed with competitive watch and anticipate resulting risks and opportunities to update the company’s innovation process…)
• As part of the exploitation of rights strategy, develop the commercial potential of the company's innovation portfolio, work closely with the legal department in negotiating intellectual property rights with partners, defending the company's strategic interests, negotiating contracts (licenses, assignments, rights management) for technology transfers or developments, and ensure that the company's products respect the industrial property rights of third parties.
• Benchmark and monitor IP patents in OceanWings 's sector as well as related industries.

You may also :

• Assist with research tax credits (CIR) and public subventions requirements in SOA (state of the art); beyond SOA innovation;
• Participate in negotiations for partnerships with universities and public bodies to promote research (evaluate the role and benefits of each party in products developed in partnership, and then draft specific patent clauses following this partnership);
• Establish strategy guidelines for IP distribution among partners;
• Define training programs and ensure team skills development.

Profile & Skills required

• You have a 5 year degree in mechanical engineering:
• Scientific Master degree specialized in the company's field of activity,

or

• Engineering school diploma, generalist or specialized in the company's or firm's field of activity
• 5 years of previous experience in an IP firm or in an industrial company
• Knowledge in several fields such as marine transportation, sailing, CFD, machine learning, industrialization of innovation would be a plus.
• Graduate of the patent stream CEIPI.

Technical skills :

• Very good scientific knowledge of the subject related to the company's field of activity;
• Knowledge of documentary research techniques, particularly on databases specific to patent applications, for prior art searches;
• Mastery of administrative regulations and rules relating to industrial property rights;
• Fluency in written and spoken English for patent and trademark filings in Europe and internationally.

Professional skills :

• Autonomy, Intellectual curiosity, Ability to listen and communicate, Negotiation skills, Conviction, Writing skills, Adaptability, Tenacity, Attention to detail, Curiosity in sector and taste for innovation, Discretion Pedagogy, Project work, Synthesis and analysis skills, Logical mind and open-mindedness.

What we offer

• Implement innovative products to decarbonize the marine industry.
• Work in a start-up spirit as part of a passionate and dynamic team.
• Be the reference of all IP related activities in the company.
• Act as an expert on all stages of the OceanWings IP protection cycle.
• Capitalize on the initial feedback from our first emblematic project to help with the design and protection of our future products.

Conditions

• Permanent job contract as a manager: collective bargaining agreement for the metallurgy industry.
• Position based in Paris, frequent travel in France and abroad (Europe initially).
• Working in a pioneering spirit of sustained growth
• Recruitment process with several interviews