Intellectual Property Legal Assistant
Company: Escalon Recruiting Done
Location: Santa Monica
Posted on: February 18, 2026
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Job Description:
Job Description Job Description Description Our client is
seeking a Legal IP / Patent Manager to build and oversee the
company’s intellectual property framework, from patents, trade
secrets, trademarks, NDAs, and licensing agreements, in close
coordination with R&D, product teams, the CFO and executive
teams. This position bridges technology and law: the ideal
candidate will have hands-on experience managing patent portfolios
and IP operations within a hardware-software or AI-driven
engineering environment. The role requires a strong grasp of
technical concepts, an understanding of how IP protections align
with product development, and the ability to operationalise complex
IP and compliance processes in a fast-moving, R&D-focused
startup. This role calls for someone who has worked in IP
operations, understands the patent and invention lifecycle, and can
translate that expertise into practical systems tailored to what
our client designs and builds. Key Responsibilities Develop and
maintain the intellectual property roadmap and filing strategy,
under CFO oversight. Conduct and coordinate prior-art searches,
invention disclosures, and patent filings. Manage trademarks,
licensing agreements, and technology-transfer documentation.
Oversee IP budgeting, renewal deadlines, and audit readiness. Work
directly with R&D and product leads to identify patentable
inventions and define protection pathways. Translate technical
innovations into clear, defensible invention disclosures. Ensure
documentation aligns with DoD, DFARS, and export-control
frameworks. Liaise with outside patent counsel and IP law firms for
drafting, prosecution, and maintenance. Support the CFO in
due-diligence reviews and IP risk assessments for partnerships,
grants, or acquisitions. Manage IP-related contracts (NDAs,
licensing, collaboration agreements) in coordination with the CFO.
Maintain the IP Register and integrate it into company compliance
systems (CMMC/NIST SP 800-171 data integrity). Track and brief
management on updates in U.S. and international IP law,
particularly in AI, robotics, and embedded-systems domains. Assist
in audit preparation and grant documentation involving IP ownership
or technology conveyance. Skills, Knowledge and Expertise 3 years
of experience in intellectual property, patent management, or legal
operations — ideally in a tech, engineering, or R&D-focused
company. Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Computer Science, or a
related technical discipline; additional studies in IP Law, Patent
Practice, or Paralegal Certification preferred. Strong
understanding of patent lifecycle management (from invention
disclosure to issuance and maintenance). Familiarity with USPTO,
WIPO/PCT, and international IP processes. Working knowledge of
contracts, NDAs, and IP clauses in federal or defense-sector
projects. Excellent organisational and communication skills; able
to bridge legal and technical vocabulary. Must be a U.S. citizen or
lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder). Background in AI,
robotics, sensors, or hardware/software integration. Prior work
with outside counsel or IP law firms in patent drafting and
prosecution. Comfort working in a startup environment where
flexibility, pragmatism, and cross-functional collaboration are
key. Benefits Collaborative, supportive team culture where
cross-functional work is the norm, and everyone contributes to
problem-solving. Fast-paced, innovation-driven culture that values
creativity, problem-solving, and technical mastery. Flexible PTO
and comprehensive benefits that support work–life balance.
Keywords: Escalon Recruiting Done, Malibu , Intellectual Property Legal Assistant, IT / Software / Systems , Santa Monica, California
