Patent Portfolio Manager

Job Summary

GKN is actively engaged in a series of major, multi £M development programmes with the long term aim of enabling zero emission flight on a series of new aircraft programmes.  We want to enable the complete electrification of Aircraft powered by Liquid Hydrogen, Fuel cells and Cryogenically cooled networks and motors. As such we’ve already built up a significant capability with an international team of over 70 specialist Engineers working on Liquid Hydrogen based propulsion systems, including storage (tanks), Fuel management, Fuel cells, Electrical networks, Motors and Inverters, with Cryogenics being an enabling technology. This ground breaking technology is maturing rapidly and we’re searching for specialist Engineers and Scientists who want to work with us in this rapidly changing, dynamic, multifunctional environment to help us push further and faster as we win more programmes and the market accelerates.

The individual will be responsible for providing advice and support in relation to the patenting activities of the CTO Office within GKN Aerospace, with a primary focus on undertaking prior art searching, landscaping studies and overseeing third party watch activities.  The individual will work directly with the Technology Director and Product Group Director from within the Horizon 3 team in the CTO Office, whilst functionally reporting to the Senior IP Counsel.  

The role is focused on the protection of the technology portfolio within the Horizon 3 technology team, majoring on development of Hydrogen Systems and broader sustainable aviation based technology solutions.
 

Job Responsibilities

• .Undertake prior art searches, to support patentability decisions.
• Undertake patent landscaping studies to support the development and implementation of IP strategies.
• Establish and update effective third party patent watch programme to monitor patent activities of key competitors and identify third party patent activity of interest
• Liaise with technical and commercial personnel to ensure effective outputs from searches, studies and watches
• Ensure appropriate quality and cost control, timely delivery and checking of any searches and studies performed by third parties
• Support in harvesting and reviewing new invention disclosures – including working with inventors to support the submission of new invention disclosures
• Instruct, manage and review work of external patent attorneys in drafting new patent applications and prosecuting patent applications through to grant
• Provide effective liaison between external patent attorneys and inventors to ensure an efficient and effective relationship and management of costs
• Ensure the effective renewal of all relevant registered intellectual property rights
• Support Senior IP Counsel including making suggestions to improve processes and approaches, influencing team ways of working and discussions on opportunities for improvements
• Support the H3 technology leadership to implement intellectual property strategy for the H3 portfolio, making suggestions to improve processes and approaches, influencing team ways of working and discussions on opportunities for improvements
• Ensure clear and effective communication of insights to rest of IP team and R&D to help inform innovation activities
• Cultivate a network of collaborative relationships at all levels which are based on mutual trust to ensure the best outcome for GKN Aerospace as whole

How You'll Contribute

To help us make a difference, you’ll bring your passion and talent for what you do along with the following skills, experience, qualifications and attributes:

Essential:

• Bachelor Degree in Engineering or science – ideally mechanical, electrical or physics.
• Experience of conducting prior art searches and technology landscaping studies
• Experience of managing a patent portfolio  

Desirable:

• Experience in a wide range of intellectual property matters.
• Experience of instructing and managing external patent attorneys and other external stakeholders across multiple jurisdictions

We are looking for people who want to make a difference, talented members with the skills and passions to become the best of the future in what they do. To be successful in this role you must be able to work closely and in detail with technologists in the business with the ability to work and communicate effectively with non-technically qualified employees, including senior management. You will be adaptable, welcome change and plays an active role in designing and implementing novel solutions. You will be a good communicator who is able to adapt own behaviour and communication style to suit the context, including sensitively delivering tough messages.
 

What We'll Offer

Once you’re on board you’ll get the following perks and benefits:

• Competitive salary dependant on experience
• Opportunity to earn up to 15% bonus 
• Hybrid working – giving you the opportunity to balance home and office working
• Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis
• Life Assurance 8 x salary
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Income protection
• Shopping discounts
• Cycle To Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• A collaborative, dynamic working environment 

As well as a competitive package we’ll offer you a world of opportunity. We want to see your career fly!  We’ll support your career progression by providing you with learning and development opportunities.  That’s the beauty of being part of a global business, once you’re on board you never know where you career journey may take you!