Director, IP Counsel (AI)

Location: Hybrid at the San Diego headquarters, United States; San Diego-area candidates are strongly preferred.

Salary: $224K–$300K annually.

Company

hirify.global is a clinical-stage life-science and technology company developing novel medicines through an AI-driven discovery and development platform.

What you will do

• Build and execute a global IP strategy protecting the small-molecule pipeline and AI-driven discovery platform.
• Draft, file, and prosecute patent applications across U.S., PCT, and EP portfolios; set filing strategy, determine in-house scope, and manage outside counsel and the IP budget.
• Lead freedom-to-operate, patentability, and landscape analyses, including formal opinions with outside counsel.
• Run invention disclosures and inventorship determinations with research and computational teams; maintain trade secret protection for AI models, data, and know-how.
• Lead IP diligence and negotiate IP terms for collaborations, licenses, and other transactions, including commercial contract playbooks.
• Integrate AI tools into searching, drafting, office action responses, and analytics while overseeing publication review, exclusivity planning, contested proceedings, trademarks, and IP-related SEC disclosures.

Requirements

• J.D., active membership in good standing of a U.S. state bar, and USPTO registration.
• Advanced degree in chemistry, medicinal chemistry, or a related field; a Ph.D. is preferred.
• 8+ years of life-sciences patent experience, including law-firm and in-house biotech/pharma experience.
• Recent hands-on experience personally drafting and prosecuting small-molecule patent applications and developing global portfolio strategy.
• Experience conducting FTO analyses and handling IP for pharma collaborations and licensing.
• Regular use of AI tools in IP practice, with sound judgment regarding confidentiality and verification of AI-assisted work.
• Willingness to work directly in a lean team and provide clear, practical advice to scientists and executives.

Nice to have

• Experience in computational or AI/ML fields.
• Experience building an in-house IP function.

Culture & Benefits

• Inclusive environment built around diverse backgrounds, cultures, national origins, religions, sexual orientations, and life experiences.
• Company-paid healthcare, flexible spending accounts, voluntary life insurance, 401(k) matching, and uncapped vacation.
• Work from a new San Diego facility with an onsite gym and dining.