Job Description:

THE OPPORTUNITY

Technological innovation has been at the DNA of Airbus Helicopters’ strategy since its creation and will forge next steps in the evolution of the helicopter industry as we push the boundaries of technology and shape the future of flight! To meet these future challenges, the company is now seeking for a Patent Engineer to join our Intellectual Property team in Marignane, France.

In the Research & Innovation department, ETRP is responsible for the protection of Airbus Helicopters’ technical innovation and its freedom to operate in the R&T and R&D projects, external collaboration, partnerships and commercial agreements.

By joining ETRP you will integrate a transnational team (France & Germany) organized in three main pillars: Patent Filing and Administration, Intellectual Property (IP) Intelligence, Contracts and Agreements. You will lead the IP Intelligence pillar, while also contributing to the two other pillars.

Your working environment:

Major economic hub with Marseille-Provence Airport, Marignane is a dynamic city in the southeast of France. It is located near the cities of Aix-en-Provence and Marseille, which host a rich cultural and tourist offer. Close to the beaches of the Côte Bleue, it offers many options for water sports activities.

How we care for you:

• Financial rewards: Attractive salary, agreements on success and profit sharing schemes, employee savings plan abounded by Airbus and employee stock purchase plan on a voluntary basis.

• Work / Life Balance:  Extra days-off for special occasions, holiday transfer option, a Staff council offering many social, cultural and sport activities and other services.

• Wellbeing / Health: Complementary health insurance coverage (disability, invalidity, death). Depending on the site: health services center, concierge services, gym, carpooling application.

• Individual development: Great upskilling opportunities and development prospects  with unlimited access to +10.000 e-learning courses to develop your employability, certifications, expert career path, accelerated development programmes, national and international mobility.

At Airbus, we support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly.    Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.

IP INTELLIGENCE:

The purpose of this pillar is to monitor, with the support of a network of IP Focal Points (mostly inside ET), the third parties (competition and partners) activities in terms of innovation and patents and to conduct IP analysis in case of infringement, opposition, claim, etc…

As the leader of this pillar, you will manage the following activities with the contribution of the Patent Engineers:

• Development and coordination of the IP Focal Points network, interfaces with all the departments of AH contributing to global intelligence,

• Implementation and deployment of the patent monitoring process & tools, collecting and structuring the information from the IPFP,

• Analysis of the new patents potentially relevant regarding AH activities or assets, performing Freedom to Operate analysis (FTO) and identifying potential interference with AH patents of competitor products/projects

• Recommendations to preserve the interests of the company with adequate actions (patent application, opposition or claim),

You will also contribute to the two other pillars depending on your profile:

PATENTS FILING AND ADMINISTRATION:

The Patent Engineer is the key interface between the inventors and the external IP Firm for patent application and extensions/renewals. He is in charge of assessing the patentability depending of various criteria (innovation level, technical domain, strategic advantage…), making the final decision in line with AH IP strategy and managing the patent application process:

• supporting the inventor to analyse and describe the invention and to propose the best means of protection,

• searching relevant patents to estimate the freedom of use and/or the patentability of the invention,

• deciding the foreign extensions of new patent applications, renewal or withdrawal of existing patents,

• communicating (briefs, arguments) with official Patent Examiners (worldwide).

CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS:

• supporting the R&T or R&D Project Manager regarding the IP stakes during the negotiation of the collaboration agreements, purchase agreements, licences…

• … and during the contract execution in order to ensure that the IP protection is regularly updated in the frame of the contract.

REQUIRED SKILLS

You will have the following skills and experience:

• Educated to a 5 years’ degree level (or equivalent) in Engineering or a related discipline, ideally with a transverse/strong knowledge about aeronautics and Helicopters,

• At least 10 years in engineering or in project management with a strong technological content (an experience in IP/Patents would be a plus),

• Curious and attentive to technological developments and willing to learn about innovation and new technologies,

• Open minded, pro-active, interested in working on various topics and challenges in collaboration with a large network of stakeholders from different cultures and professions: technical, commercial, legal…

• Rigor and structured mind, analytical/synthesis capacity,

• Customer centric, service minded, seeking to provide the best experience to your clients,

• Good verbal and written communication skills with an advanced level of French and English.

You will benefit from training sessions covering all aspects of Intellectual Property (regulations, negotiation, management…). You will benefit also from the pillars leaders’ expertise to accompany your skills development. You will have progressively a high level of autonomy and be able to prioritize your own workload according to the needs of the business.

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth. 

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Company:

Airbus Helicopters SAS

Employment Type:

Permanent

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Classe Emploi (France): Classe G14

Experience Level:

Professional

Job Family:

Legal <JF-CG-LE>

By submitting your CV or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus.Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.

Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to emsom@airbus.com.

At Airbus, we support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.