Project Manager - Law

Job Summary

We are looking for a talented Project Manager - Senior - Law to join Cummins Inc. team remotely.  

Cummins is a place big enough to coach and develop a global workforce and create the world’s leading engine technologies. We’re also small enough for you to find your fit and personal passion with a team of dependable, innovative thinkers who are developing their careers within a diverse, inclusive, empowering environment.  Learn more about this role and how you can begin Working Right 

The Cummins Legal function provides a full range of legal services in support of Cummins Inc. and its consolidated businesses. We are a global legal function serving the business worldwide, with this team based in Columbus and Indianapolis, IN. We also have international legal offices located in the United Kingdom, India, Australia, Brazil, China and Mexico and Africa. Through these various offices, we can support our businesses throughout the world. This is an exciting opportunity based in Indianapolis, IN, with some travel to Columbus, IN, and offers diverse in-house intellectual property related responsibilities.

As patent counsel/agent, you will provide advice and service on patent preparation and prosecution; and related portfolio management including evaluating patents and potential infringement issues, competitive landscape reviews and overseeing outside counsel's preparation of patent applications for filing.

In this role, you will make an impact in the following ways: 

• Manage patent prosecution; participate in and implement IP strategy, including preparing and filing US patent applications and assisting in filing applications in other jurisdictions and other foreign office actions
• Participate in internal patenting committees 
• Conduct invention disclosure interviews to identify new patentable ideas
• Acts as trusted advisor senior leaders on the IP team; develop a strong grasp of business environment; effectively partners with stakeholders to identify and design needed improvements; provides practical advice within the appropriate business context; understands and manages client expectations.
• Shares in management of outside counsel relationships
• Supports large and/or complex cases and matters worldwide
• Responsible for project and matter management with appropriate supervision; 
• Provides support and leadership in improvement and issue-resolution projects.
• Working with engineering and other business organizations to understand priorities and challenges
• Instructs and supervises outside counsel and consultants as needed

Responsibilities

To be successful in this role you will need the following: 

• Analytical Reasoning - The ability to evaluate and analyze data and information, draw conclusions and present an argument based upon the analysis. The use of critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and problem-solving skills are critical to analytical reasoning.

• Influencing - Encourages others to change their mindset and/or behaviors to achieve positive results. Presents convincing justification for others to accept ideas and plans. Encourages the open expression of opinions and disagreements. Effectively gains commitment with others to produce high quality work.

• Communication - Written and Verbal - Effectively expresses messages and ideas in a clear, organized and relevant manner for a variety of audiences. Develops organized, complete, and convincing communications. Ability to communicate effectively to different levels of the organization.

• Relationship Management - Develops rapport, builds trust, and creates value in relationships. Identifies networking opportunities and effectively communicates across functions, business units and with both internal and external business partners.

• Conflict Management - Deals with conflict in a way that recognizes and manages differing opinions and ideas and refocuses them in a positive and productive manner. Brings conflict and disagreement into the open and attempts to offer a fair resolution collaboratively while maintaining a constructive working relationship.

Qualifications

Education, Licenses, Certifications:

• Minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited institution: in one of the following disciplines: electrical engineering, computer science, material science, physics, or mechanical engineering or equivalent experience.
• Licensed to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
• This position may require licensing for compliance with export controls or sanctions regulations.
• Significant level of relevant work experience, including team leadership experience, required.
• Experience with Artificial Intelligence in the IP space

Preferred Experience:

• Prepared and prosecuted at least 50 patent applications
• At least 5 plus years of relevant intellectual property experience, including global and domestic patent prosecution; developing patent strategies, conducting patent analysis, and global IP portfolio management 
• Experience with AI tools and AI prompting 
• Experience with diesel engines
• Experiences with data centers

Preferred Education, Licenses, Certifications:

• Registered Patent Agent or Attorney

Compensation:

• Please note that the salary range provided is a good faith estimate on the applicable range.  The final salary offer will be determined after considering relevant factors, including a candidate's qualifications and experience, where appropriate.

Cummins is an equal opportunity employer. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, sex, color, disability, national origin, age, religion, union affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship, gender identity, or other status protected by law.