Head of Intellectual Property
1X is a Palo Alto-based AI and robotics company developing general-purpose humanoid robots, led by its NEO home robot.
About 1X
1X develops humanoid robots that live and learn alongside people. Its flagship product, NEO, is a home robot designed to autonomously help with household tasks, supported by the company’s embodied-AI systems.
Skills
Candidate Availability
Required and preferred rules are kept separate and reflect the wording in the original posting.
About the Role
You will establish and lead the intellectual property function. You will create a patent roadmap, capture inventions with technical teams, draft and shape patents, manage trade-secret decisions, assess freedom to operate, and lead strategic patent acquisition diligence. You will build the function hands-on and scale it as needed.
Requirements
- 10+ years of intellectual property experience building and managing patent portfolios in hardware, robotics, AI, or another deep-tech domain
- Hands-on expertise in patent drafting, prosecution strategy, and portfolio management
- Experience with patent landscaping, freedom-to-operate analysis, and competitive assessments
- Experience setting trade-secret protection strategy
- Technical degree in engineering, computer science, or a related field
- Working understanding of robotics, AI, mechatronics, or comparable systems
- Experience partnering with engineering and product teams to capture inventions
Responsibilities
- Own and execute a company-wide patent roadmap
- Capture inventions with engineering, AI, and hardware teams
- Build a patent portfolio that protects freedom to operate
- Identify strategic patents to acquire and lead acquisition diligence
- Establish a trade-secret protection program
- Build and grow the intellectual property function as milestones warrant
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Paid time off, company holidays, and parental leave
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Flexible Spending Account options
- Health Savings Account options
- Commuter benefits
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance
- Life insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Onsite snacks and catered lunches