Licensing/Patent Engineer
Location: Ottawa, ON
Company: WiLAN
About the Role
WiLAN is seeking a deeply technical, curious and versatile engineer with 5 to 15 years of experience to join our team. This role is ideal for a technical generalist with strong analytical instincts, someone who can move fluidly across domains like wireless, semiconductors, and software, and isn’t afraid to dive into unfamiliar technologies.
In this role, you’ll contribute to the development and licensing of WiLAN’s Intellectual Property portfolios while gaining a unique skill set at the intersection of engineering, intellectual property strategy and licensing. If you’re the kind of engineer who likes tearing things down, analyzing standards, and uncovering how products actually function, this role offers a unique path beyond traditional engineering.
Patent or Intellectual Property experience is a plus—but not required. We’re most interested in engineers who can think critically, learn quickly, and go deep technically.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct technical analysis of patents and portfolios
- Technical research, and prior art searches to support portfolio acquisitions
- Develop detailed claim charts and evidence of use (EOU) analyses
- Manage technical analysis & reverse engineering
- Evaluate technologies across a wide range of domains, including wireless, telecommunications, semiconductors, and AI/ML
- Provide technical support for licensing efforts, including preparing materials and participating in meetings with potential licensees
- Collect, analyze, and report on technical and market-relevant information
- Maintain and enhance technical databases, data models, and documentation for Intellectual Property analysis
- Identify trends and emerging opportunities for patent assertion and portfolio expansion
- Support the evaluation and implementation of tools to enhance Intellectual Property analysis capabilities
- Patent strategy and portfolio development
- Provide technical input into patent drafting, prosecution, licensing, litigation support and acquisition
What We’re Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or Physics.
- Ideally 5+ years of engineering experience
- Familiarity with technical standards such as 3GPP Release 15+, HEVC (T-REC-H.265), VVC T-REC-H.266.
- Experience, related to design and/or reverse engineering of consumer electronics, semiconductors, enterprise hardware/software, or carrier-grade products and/or inbound licensing of patents covering these products is considered an asset
- Experience with technical or patent literature search and analysis using various databases is an asset
- Ability to quickly learn and apply knowledge across diverse technical domains
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple high-priority projects
- Ability to work independently and deliver results on schedule
- Familiarity with patent law concepts and experience with:
- Claim chart development
- Patent analysis and assessment
- Evidence generation through reverse engineering, functional testing, and literature analysis
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively with engineering and management teams
- Effective presentation and reporting skills, including proficiency with Microsoft 365 and research tools
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; additional language are an asset (French, German, Japanese, Chinese, Korean)
- Willingness and ability to travel internationally (up to 20%)
What You’ll Gain
In addition to a competitive compensation package, WiLAN offers a comprehensive and thoughtfully designed benefits program, along with a range of workplace advantages that support employee well-being, flexibility, and an overall positive and rewarding work experience.
WiLAN is committed to treating all people in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We believe in integration and equal opportunity. Accommodations are available upon request for all applicants with a disability throughout the recruitment process. Please contact Human Resources [email protected] if you require accommodation. We will work with all applicants to accommodate their individual accessibility needs.
We use automated tools, including artificial intelligence, to support aspects of our candidate screening process. All hiring decisions are made by humans, and we are committed to fair, equitable, and compliant hiring practices.
