R&D IP Specialist - Plano, TX

IP Specialist 
Location: Plano, Texas
Department: Nano-Science & Technology Center (R&D)
Employment Type: Contract to Hire 
Compensation: $90,000 annually, based on qualifications and experienceSummary:
Seeking an Intellectual Property (IP) Specialist to support innovation capture, and IP and patent portfolio management within a fast-paced R&D environment. This role partners closely with scientists, engineers, management, and external IP professionals to help identify, organize, and support protection activities of emerging technologies and research developments.

The ideal candidate is technically curious, highly organized, and comfortable working across multidisciplinary technology areas, including materials science, semiconductors, electronics, or advanced manufacturing.
This position is best suited for individuals who enjoy collaborating with inventors, analyzing technical concepts, and supporting innovation-focused initiatives in a growing research organization.Essential Duties:

1. Collaborate with researchers and engineers to identify innovations and support preparation of invention disclosures and technical summaries.
2. Support evaluation of technical concepts, perform prior art references search and review, and analyze competitive patent landscapes related to ongoing R&D activities.
3. Coordinate IP protection activities with internal stakeholders and outside counsel to support patent portfolio development and maintenance.
4. Maintain and organize portfolio records, reporting systems, invention tracking databases, and related documentation.
5. Prepare portfolio summaries, activity reports, and presentation materials for management and strategic planning discussions.
6. Support cross-functional collaboration related to technology development, innovation planning, and intellectual property initiatives.
7. Assist with monitoring patent activities, technology trends, and industry developments relevant to company’s research areas.
8. Contribute to continuous improvement of internal IP workflows, documentation practices, and knowledge-sharing processes.
9. Maintain flexibility to support evolving business and research priorities within a dynamic R&D environment.

Qualifications:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate technical concepts and basic legal matters clearly.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a collaborative environment.
• Analytical mindset with interest in emerging technologies and innovation strategy.
• Ability to learn unfamiliar technical subject matter quickly.
• Comfortable interacting with researchers, engineers, management teams, and external partners.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and database management tools.
• Familiarity with patent databases, patent search tools, or IP management systems is a plus.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, materials science, chemistry, electronics, or related technical field preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in intellectual property support, patent coordination, technology transfer, or related environments.
• Experience working in semiconductor, materials science, electronics, or advanced manufacturing industries is a plus.
• Familiarity with U.S. patent processes and invention disclosure practices preferred.
• Japanese language proficiency or exposure to global IP environments is a plus.

Supervisory Responsibility
This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities but will collaborate closely with research staff, management, and external partners in support of intellectual property activities.Work Schedule and Location

• Full-time position based in Plano, Texas.
• Standard schedule is Monday through Friday with core collaboration hours between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
• Flexibility may be required based on project and business needs.