Sr. Counsel, Intellectual Property

Tesla is seeking a Sr. Counsel, Intellectual Property to support the expansion of our innovative technologies on a global scale. Reporting to the Associate General Counsel, Intellectual Property, this role will focus on building a strong patent portfolio, drafting critical agreements, and leading freedom-to-operate initiatives. Collaborating with engineering and business teams, this position plays a key role in enabling creative solutions that align with Tesla's mission to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy. This is an exciting opportunity for a proactive and entrepreneurial IP lawyer to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

• Provide advice on a wide variety of intellectual property topics for engineering and business teams, including assessment of specific IP assets and their impact on business outcomes
• Research and evaluate patent and licensing demands in collaboration with engineering, business, and legal teams
• Develop playbooks and training materials to empower legal, engineering, and business team members to address common IP concerns
• Support the preparation and negotiation of various IP agreements
• Offer strategic guidance to internal technology curators on making informed decisions regarding the company's patent portfolio
• Review and address questions or concerns related to open source software
• Collaborate with colleagues in APAC and EMEA to ensure consistent strategy and risk allocation across the global business

• Excellent academic credentials with a J.D. preferably from a top-ranked law school, a science or technology undergraduate degree, and a license to practice in one or more US jurisdictions
• A minimum of 8 years of practice experience at a well-regarded law firm, with in-house experience at a company in the energy, automotive, or AI industry strongly preferred
• Experience in structuring and leading negotiations of intellectual property transactions across various technology areas, from physical goods to software licenses, as well as exposure to prosecuting and enforcing IP rights
• Ability to proactively identify problems, drive projects, find creative legal and business solutions, and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, challenging environment
• Quick and flexible learning capacity, intellectual curiosity, adaptability, comfort with ambiguity and risk, and excitement for dynamic change while working autonomously and collaboratively with cross-functional groups
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to quickly build trust with colleagues and communicate effectively across all organizational levels
• High standards, impeccable integrity, sound judgment, strong analytical skills, and superior oral and written communication abilities

Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire:

• Aetna PPO and HSA plans > 2 medical plan options with $0 payroll deduction
• Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
• Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both have options with a $0 paycheck contribution
• Company Paid (Health Savings Account) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible Aetna medical plan with HSA
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
• Company paid Basic Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions), and Paid Holidays
• Back-up childcare and parenting support resources
• Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance
• Weight Loss and Tobacco Cessation Programs
• Tesla Babies program
• Commuter benefits
• Employee discounts and perks program

Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.