Associate Director, IP Counsel (Hybrid)

Date Posted:

2026-07-01

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-NC-CHARLOTTE-2730 ~ 2730 W Tyvola Rd ~ TYVOLA

Position Role Type:

Hybrid

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.

Security Clearance Type:

None/Not Required

Security Clearance Status:

Not Required

Associate Director, IP Counsel (Hybrid)

At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world.

Collins Aerospace is a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions that help redefine the aerospace and defense industry. With a comprehensive portfolio and deep technical expertise, we help customers meet the demands of the global market. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

This is a hybrid position located in either our Charlotte, NC - Cedar Rapids, IA - or Windsor Locks, CT facilities.

What You Will Do:

• Driving IP engagement within the business
• Providing effective, concise and timely advice to senior management, general legal counsel, engineers and commercial colleagues on IP matters, particularly in the areas of patent, trade secret, trademark and copyright law, and related disputes.
• Negotiating and advising management and colleagues on various IP agreements and IP aspects of broader agreements with customers, suppliers and partners.    
• Collaborate with clients to develop and implement IP strategies for key enterprises, products and technologies aligned with business objectives.  Active engagement on IP issues throughout product development processes.
• Interacting with engineers and outside counsel as needed with regards to identifying protectable inventions, assessing invention disclosures, preparing, and prosecuting patent applications, and protecting trade secrets.
• Monitoring and assessing third party patents and applications, particularly with regards to questions of infringement risk and/or validity, with goal of addressing legal risks before products are brought to market.
• Working with engineers to monitor competitor products and advising as to whether competitors infringe Collins Aerospace patents.  Advising Senior Management as to potential infringement issues and overseeing litigation as required.
• Learning and implementing current IP department tools and policies, and working willingly with members of IP department with the goal of continuous improvement of department processes.
• Utilize various internal and third-party tools to improve legal operations.
• Develop SBU IP strategies that support the business goals.
• Reviewing and clearing IP-related content for publication. 
• Conducting IP due diligence with regards to M&A matters in technical areas of responsibility.
• Striving to independently resolve issues arising in area of responsibility but consulting with peers, the Chief IP Counsel and the General Counsel when appropriate.
• Must be willing and able to travel 10% of the time

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Typically requires a University Degree and minimum 12 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 10 years of experience 
• Must have a Juris doctor degree
• Must have a USPTO Registration Number
• 5 + years of IP legal experience
• Admitted to the Bar in one or more US States

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Aerospace (e.g., as an engineer, in-house attorney, or patent prosecutor) 
• Law firm and in-house IP legal experience
• IP contract negotiation experience (customer and supplier)
• Patents: preparation & prosecution; transactions, and litigation  
• Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
• US government contracts intellectual property
• Engineering experience is beneficial

What We Offer:

Some of our competitive benefits package includes:   

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance  
• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees  
• Generous 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds and separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option  
• Tuition reimbursement program 
• Student Loan Repayment Program  
• Life insurance and disability coverage  
• Optional coverages you can buy pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection 
• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits 
• Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning  
• Adoption Assistance           
• Autism Benefit  
• Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions  
• Healthy You Incentives, wellness rewards program 
• Doctor on Demand, virtual doctor visits  
• Bright Horizons, child and elder care services 
• Teladoc Medical Experts, second opinion program  
• Eligible for relocation assistance
• And more!  

Learn More & Apply Now!

*Please ensure the role type (defined below) is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role. 

Hybrid: Employees who are working in Hybrid roles will work regularly both onsite and offsite.  Ratio of time working onsite will be determined in partnership with your leader.

At Collins, the paths we pave together lead to limitless possibility. And the bonds we form – with our customers and with each other -- propel us all higher, again and again.   

  

Apply now and be part of the team that’s redefining aerospace, every day.   

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

The salary range for this role is 157,200 USD - 298,800 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement.

Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.

This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.

RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

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