Intellectual Property (IP) Manager
Are you passionate about shaping innovation and protecting groundbreaking technologies? We’re looking for an experienced IP director to define and execute strategies that safeguard our cutting-edge products in additive manufacturing and medical solutions. In this role, you’ll collaborate with world-class engineers, researchers, and business leaders, ensuring our ideas are captured, protected, and leveraged globally. If you have deep expertise in patent law, a strategic mindset, and thrive in an international high-tech environment, this is your opportunity to operate at the heart of a global innovation leader and make a lasting impact.
What you will do
- Define appropriate IP strategies for key product lines through an understanding of their commercial relevance, their markets, and the competitor landscapes.
- Work closely with engineering and R&D teams to identify and capture patentable innovations across hardware, software, and process technologies. Advise on the appropriate form of protection in line with the IP strategy.
- Draft, refine, and prosecute patent claims in collaboration with external counsel; ensure timely and effective filing strategies.
- Freedom-to-operate (FTO) analyses and patent landscaping — conduct and guide assessments to support product development and market entry.
- Act as the first line of response for potential infringement allegations against the company.
- Identify and assess possible infringements of the company’s patents by third parties; support enforcement actions where necessary.
- Lead intellectual property reviews in mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships.
Your profile
Education and experience
- Advanced degree in a relevant technical discipline or law (e.g., engineering, physics, software, intellectual property law)
- At least 8 – 10 years of hands-on IP management experience in an international environment, preferably in a high-tech or manufacturing sector
- Professional qualification in patent law/certification as a European Patent Attorney or equivalent strongly preferred
Skills and competencies
- Proven ability to draft and prosecute patent claims
- Strong experience in FTO analyses, IP landscaping, and due diligence
- Ability to manage external counsel effectively, balancing cost and quality
- People leadership skills, with experience in managing and developing team members
- Curiosity and technical engagement — eager to understand complex additive manufacturing technologies and medical solutions, both hardware and software
- Strategic mindset with the ability to align IP activities to corporate objectives
What we offer
Healthy life-work balance
When creating a better and healthier world, a good place to start is with yourself. That's why we encourage our employees to prioritize their overall well-being, fostering physical fitness, mental resilience, and social connections through a range of workshops, sports activities, and other events and initiatives that contribute to a balanced and fulfilling work-life harmony.
Hybrid working & flexibility
At Materialise, we value the power of in-person connections and the advantages of remote work, allowing our employees the flexibility to enjoy the best of both worlds. You can work remotely up to 60% of the time and work flexible hours, depending on your particular role.
Personal growth and career advancement
At Materialise, we’re committed to nurturing the professional development of our employees. We invest in our passionate people and empower them to explore and grow by offering diverse career paths that capitalize on their talents. Plus, we offer courses, external coaching programs, and in-house mentoring so that our employees can fulfill their potential.
Team building
We cultivate a positive work culture so our employees have an enjoyable professional environment. Collaboration is key, so we organize activities that unite our employees, such as after-work events and team lunches. We want all our staff to feel connected in an environment that promotes strong bonds based on trust, respect, empathy, and friendship.
Innovation is key
Innovation is not just a buzzword at Materialise; it's at the core of what we do. As pioneers in our industry, we create cutting-edge solutions, fostering an environment that supports and rewards ingenuity and leadership. We’re dedicated to shaping the future of 3D printing, recognizing and celebrating the creative spirit within all our global innovators.
Healthy life-work balance
When creating a better and healthier world, a good place to start is with yourself. That's why we encourage our employees to prioritize their overall well-being, fostering physical fitness, mental resilience, and social connections through a range of workshops, sports activities, and other events and initiatives that contribute to a balanced and fulfilling work-life harmony.
Hybrid working & flexibility
At Materialise, we value the power of in-person connections and the advantages of remote work, allowing our employees the flexibility to enjoy the best of both worlds. You can work remotely up to 60% of the time and work flexible hours, depending on your particular role.
Personal growth and career advancement
At Materialise, we’re committed to nurturing the professional development of our employees. We invest in our passionate people and empower them to explore and grow by offering diverse career paths that capitalize on their talents. Plus, we offer courses, external coaching programs, and in-house mentoring so that our employees can fulfill their potential.
Team building
We cultivate a positive work culture so our employees have an enjoyable professional environment. Collaboration is key, so we organize activities that unite our employees, such as after-work events and team lunches. We want all our staff to feel connected in an environment that promotes strong bonds based on trust, respect, empathy, and friendship.
Innovation is key
Innovation is not just a buzzword at Materialise; it's at the core of what we do. As pioneers in our industry, we create cutting-edge solutions, fostering an environment that supports and rewards ingenuity and leadership. We’re dedicated to shaping the future of 3D printing, recognizing and celebrating the creative spirit within all our global innovators.
Location and type of contract
- Leuven, Belgium
- Full-time
- Hybrid
- Director
- CV in English
Share on:
Working at Materialise
Materialise is a dynamic, international high-tech company, founded in 1990 and headquartered in Belgium, with over 2,300 employees worldwide. Materialise’s mission is to innovate for a better and healthier world through its software and hardware infrastructure and in-depth knowledge of additive manufacturing (also known as 3D printing). Our customers are in diverse industries, such as automotive, aerospace, medical, research, and academia.
As a growing company, Materialise is always looking for enthusiastic professionals who want to work in an environment full of revolutionary technology and surrounded by people passionate about their work.