Building the space between proven and possible, MDA Space is a trusted mission partner to the global space industry. A robotics, satellite systems and geointelligence pioneer with a 55-year+ story of world firsts and more than 450 missions, MDA Space is a global leader in communications satellites, Earth and space observation, and space exploration and infrastructure. The global MDA Space team of more than 3,800 space experts has the knowledge and know-how to turn an audacious customer vision into an achievable mission – bringing to bear a one-of-a-kind mix of experience, engineering excellence and wide-eyed wonder that’s been in our DNA since day one. For those who dream big and push boundaries on the ground and in the stars to change the world for the better, we’ll take you there. For more information, visit www.mda.space.

Role:

As a public company, MDA’s intellectual property (IP) portfolio and data assets are highly-visible and valuable assets. We rely on many forms of intellectual property such as trade secrets, trademarks, patents, copyrights, industrial designs, and domain names to establish and maintain the Company’s competitive position. In a rapidly expanding and increasingly competitive space economy, we are placing greater focus and energy on our approaches to capture, protect, exploit, and disseminate our IP.

To support this major change initiative, the Intellectual Property Manager will be responsible for planning and managing the business area’s activities associated with intellectual property identification, capture, protection, licensing, exploitation, interdivisional sharing, and management. This includes supporting the on-going development of the IP Strategy, its implementation within the Business Area as well as managing the efforts to achieve Key Performance Indicators (KPI) including annual totals of Invention Disclosures and new patents filed.

Specific Tasks

1. Develop and manage overall IP identification, capture, and protection plans including
   1. Overall schedule of planned activities which reflects business needs to disclose IP (e.g., submission of proposal, sharing IP for collaboration with partners, selling based upon new IP, or public disclosure of IP)
   2. On-going staffing requirements from Engineering and other functional departments for IP identification, capture, and protection activities
   3. IP management budget preparation and tracking of internal and external IP-related expenditures
2. Manage IP Identification Processes:
   1. Invention identification during business pursuits including during Bids & Proposals
   2. Invention prospecting focused on particular technology thrusts within a business area with relevant subject matter experts and business teams. This includes facilitating discovery sessions with program and R&D teams to identify novel and inventive aspects of current or prospective developments with a goal to identifying potential Invention Disclosures .
   3. Coaching inventors on suitable IDF content and help with the write-ups
   4. Periodic and annual review of current product and system developments for timely identification of new inventions
3. Manage the IP Portfolio
   1. Ensure adherence to internal IP identification, disclosure, steering, and protection practices and procedures
   2. Compile documentation, Invention Disclosure Forms (IDFs), and IP protection recommendations for IP Steering Committee Disposition, including filing strategy based on business needs and aspects of the invention.
   3. Manage IP efforts to achieve Business Area Intellectual Property Key Performance Indices (KPIs)
   4. Manage, organize, and update relevant data in the Business Area IP Management System and IP Catalog
   5. Initiate and/or support interdivisional coordination of IP processes and potential initiatives
   6. Supervise interdivisional IP sharing between Business Areas, manage requests, clarify context and need to ensure adequate access to required information
4. Manage the Patent Processes
   1. Manage internal inventor teams and external IP counsel for preparation of
      1. Provisional patent applications (20+ per year)
      2. Final patent application preparation (help with the patent write-ups) and
      3. Responses to Patent Office actions during patent prosecution (10+ per year). Ensuring technical accuracy and broadest coverage of the invention.

2. Plan and manage all patent application and prosecution activities to meet internal and external deadlines

3. Forecast renewal fees for patent families and provide recommendations regarding national and unitary filing strategies

5. Coordinate IP Training

1. 1. Provide ad hoc IP training and awareness sessions to various management and engineering teams based on particular program/product needs
   2. Coordinate periodic training by external counsel to key stakeholders and inventors in the business.

6. Lead Efforts to Encourage a Culture of IP Protection Through Incentives and Recognition

1. 1. Manage Business Area IP Incentive Awards Process
   2. Manage Intellectual Property/Patent Wall(s) at MDA facilities
   3. 1MDA Communications on new IP creations and successes

Propose and support IP initiatives to improve IP management both in the Business Area

Work Experience requirements :

• Minimum 5 years of experience in relevant technical and and/or legal/IP business fields
• Project Management, or Project Engineering experience planning and leading small teams on short duration projects.
• At least one of:
  • Broad knowledge of the business areas enabling technologies and their application in business offerings.
  • Very good understanding of Intellectual Property concepts and management including the patent application and prosecution process in multiple jurisdictions
• Self-motivated with good interpersonal skills; team player with demonstrated high level of integrity
• Works well in a very dynamic environment where some of the parameters are unknown, some change regularly, and much is new
• Ability to lead efforts to meet hard deadlines as required by the patent application and prosecution process
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Education Requirements

Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering, or the equivalent or Minimum IP or legal diploma/degree. Patent Agent Experience preferred

Special Considerations:

Successful candidates must obtain and hold security clearance at the reliability status level, and pass security assessment for the Controlled Goods Program (CGP).

We’re a dream team of purpose-driven, collaborative and passionate people, and we are constantly looking for others to join #TeamMDA to ignite new and innovative approaches to problem-solving that push us forward to improve life on and above Earth. If you’re excited to expand our place in space and driven to inspire the next generation, we’ll take you there.

We have entered a new era of exploration and development, and MDA welcomes all who yearn to suit up and be part of it. An equal opportunity employer prizing diversity, integrity and collaboration, we are committed to growing MDA’s and Canada’s leadership in this next golden age.

MDA provides competitive compensation and benefits packages for its employees at all locations. As a team member of MDA, you and your qualified dependents are eligible to participate in a benefit plan that ensures a comprehensive level of protection through competitive health care including; extended healthcare and flexible drug plans, dental and vision benefits, disability income protection, life insurance, group retirement savings plans; and an employee and family assistance program.

MDA is proud to provide accommodation(s) during the recruitment process. Should you require any accommodations, please indicate this on your application/cover letter and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.