Patent Counsel I

Snap Inc is a technology company. We believe the camera presents the greatest opportunity to improve the way people live and communicate. Snap contributes to human progress by empowering people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together.

The Company operates Snapchat, a visual messaging app that enhances your relationships with friends, family, and the world, and Specs Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary dedicated to making computing more human, in addition to Bitmoji, Saturn, and other digital services.

The Legal & Policy Team is Snap’s dedicated in-house law firm, policy consultant, lobbyist, thought partner, and all-around advisor. This team helps Snap do the right thing the right way, make better decisions, understand and manage risks, and creatively navigate challenges, both external and internal. We partner with Snap team members on a wide array of matters, including privacy, product, IP, commercial transactions, corporate governance, employment, acquisitions, litigation, and policy, and social impact. We value the power of diversity, as we continually strive to build an innovative and inclusive leadership culture centered on Snap's values of Kind, Smart, and Creative.

We’re looking for a Patent Counsel to join the IP Team!  

What you’ll do:

• Work with Snap’s business and product teams to build a world-class patent portfolio  
• Participate in all aspects of the patent program including securing patent protection for Snap’s inventions
• Conduct invention disclosure sessions with inventors
• Manage U.S. and international patent prosecution
• Conduct education and training sessions
• Identify patent acquisition opportunities
• Handle a wide range of other IP issues including support for litigation, licensing, commercial and M&A transactions, and counseling on open source software projects.

Knowledge, skills, & abilities:

• USPTO registration
• Experience with a wide range of technological areas including, preferably, both hardware and software
• Patent analysis skills, including patentability, patent-claiming strategies, and development of non-infringement and invalidity positions
• Excellent legal and business judgment, strategic thinking, and ability to manage multiple matters at once
• Outstanding communication and organization skills
• Detail-oriented, business-friendly, team player, with an ability to accommodate tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Some experience handling patent assertions and litigation, patent licensing, and M&A
• Experience counseling on open source compliance and mitigating risks associated with open source software, including the impact on patent rights

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field of study
• Juris Doctor Degree
• 4+ years of patent drafting and prosecution experience
• Valid California bar registration (or another state bar plus eligible for Registered In House Counsel status)

"Default Together" Policy at Snap: At Snap Inc. we believe that being together in person helps us build our culture faster, reinforce our values, and serve our community, customers and partners better through dynamic collaboration. To reflect this, we practice a “default together” approach and expect our team members to work in an office 4+ days per week. 

At Snap, we believe that having a team of diverse backgrounds and voices working together will enable us to create innovative products that improve the way people live and communicate. Snap is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and committed to providing employment opportunities regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. EOE, including disability/vets.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law (by example, the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance and the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring, where applicable).

Our Benefits: Snap Inc. is its own community, so we’ve got your back! We do our best to make sure you and your loved ones have everything you need to be happy and healthy, on your own terms. Our benefits are built around your needs and include paid parental leave, comprehensive medical coverage, emotional and mental health support programs, and compensation packages that let you share in Snap’s long-term success!

Compensation

In the United States, work locations are assigned a pay zone which determines the salary range for the position. The successful candidate’s starting pay will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, qualifications, work location, and market conditions. The starting pay may be negotiable within the salary range for the position. These pay zones may be modified in the future.

Zone A (CA, WA, NYC):

The base salary range for this position is $173,000-$259,000 annually.

Zone B:

The base salary range for this position is $164,000-$246,000 annually.

Zone C:

The base salary range for this position is $147,000-$220,000 annually.This position is eligible for equity in the form of RSUs.

If you believe this job description is missing required pay transparency information, please submit a report through this form: Job Description Pay Range Disclosure.