Head of Intellectual Property

Lila Sciences is looking for a Head of Intellectual Property (IP) to lead our growing IP function. You will design and implement IP strategies that protect Lila’s innovations across AI, software, hardware, life sciences, and physical sciences. You’ll collaborate closely with technical teams and leadership to align IP protection with our scientific and commercial vision.

What You'll Be Building

• Define and champion Lila’s global IP strategy across software, hardware, and scientific platforms
• Set portfolio priorities & publication policies that balance open science with robust protection of patents and trade secrets

Execution

• Harvest inventions and lead end‑to‑end patent prosecution in close partnership with engineers and scientists
• Drive IP diligence for partnerships, licensing, and M&A transactions, including freedom‑to‑operate analyses
• Oversee IP enforcement and dispute resolution, managing outside counsel and budget where necessary
• Advise cross‑functional teams (R&D, product, commercial) on IP risks and opportunities throughout development
• Engage with industry groups and regulators to advance innovation‑friendly IP policy and thought leadership

What You’ll Need to Succeed

• J.D. and admission to practice before the USPTO
• 10+ years of IP legal experience, including significant in‑house work
• Expertise in patent strategy, prosecution, and portfolio management
• Significant experience advising on transactions involving IP
• Industry experience in AI/ML, software, or lab automation is strongly preferred
• Technical fluency in life sciences, physical sciences, or engineering is a plus
• Passion for using AI in the practice of law
• Experience managing IP litigation and/or advocating for policy change is a bonus
• Proven ability to work cross‑functionally in fast‑moving, interdisciplinary environments
• Excellent communicator and business‑minded legal thinker

About Lila

Lila Sciences is the world’s first scientific superintelligence platform and autonomous lab for life, chemistry, and materials science. We are pioneering a new age of boundless discovery by building the capabilities to apply AI to every aspect of the scientific method. We are introducing scientific superintelligence to solve humankind's greatest challenges, enabling scientists to bring forth solutions in human health, climate, and sustainability at a pace and scale never experienced before.

Learn more about this mission a.ai

If this sounds like an environment you’d love to work in, even if you only have some of the experience listed below, we encourage you to apply.

Compensation

We expect the base salary for this role to fall between $238,000–$304,000 USD per year
, along with bonus potential and generous early equity. The final offer will reflect your unique background, expertise, and impact.

Lila Sciences is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

A Note to Agencies

Lila Sciences does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to Lila Sciences or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Lila Science’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of Lila Sciences, and Lila Sciences will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.