Lead Patent Counsel - Digital & AI

Descrizione del posto

# Lead Patent Counsel - Digital & AI # **Location:** Vevey, Switzerland, with regular travel to Orbe and other Nestlé R&D sites **Work model:** Full-time, 100% **Contract type / duration:** Permanent **Closing Date for Applications:** 15th September 2026   **Be a force for good and grow through experiences that push you further** As a Patent Counsel in Digital & AI, your mission is to enable and protect Nestlé-s digital, AI-driven and electronics-centric innovations through pragmatic legal services and business-driven IP protection. You will act as the go-to Legal R&D partner for Digital & AI topics across the Nestlé R&D ecosystem, collaborating closely with R&D teams, Patent Counsels, R&D Counsels and IP Analysts. This is your opportunity to shape and grow the IP strategy for one of Nestlé-s most strategic innovation frontiers. ** ** **How you-ll make an impact as a** **Patent Counsel - Digital & AI** * Develop and deliver the IP strategy for digital, AI and electronics-driven innovations, in close partnership with R&D teams, the patent team, R&D Counsels and IP Analysts. * Lead business-driven patent filing and prosecution, Freedom-to-Operate assessments, oppositions of third-party patents and defense against third-party oppositions. * Manage your patent portfolio with strong business alignment and rigorous cost management. * Advise on IP matters in R&D collaborations, including Digital & AI partnerships, licensing and joint developments. * Support Coffee & Systems and other categories on connected systems, digital platforms and AI-based innovations, in collaboration with category Patent Counsels. * Partner with Nestlé Research, the Nestlé Deep Tech Center, NPTC - Nestlé Professional and other R&D centers to protect digital and AI innovations across categories. * Promote passion for IP through awareness sessions, training and communication, while contributing to the awareness and enforcement of Nestlé patents in R&D and in the markets. ** ** **What will make you successful** * Fully qualified patent attorney, European Patent Attorney (EQE) and/or national qualification in a major jurisdiction such as the USA, with a background in Electronics, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, AI or a related engineering discipline. * Proven experience in digital, AI and/or electronics-related IP projects, ideally including software-implemented inventions, AI/ML, connected devices and computer-implemented business methods. * More than 3 years of post-qualification experience with patent drafting, prosecution and Freedom-to-Operate assessments in the digital, electronics or AI space. * Experience developing business-driven IP strategies across multiple jurisdictions, with a solid understanding of software and AI patenting specificities such as EPO, USPTO and CNIPA. * Service-oriented, pragmatic, rigorous, hands-on and collaborative, with the ability to engage confidently with R&D partners, category teams and stakeholders at different levels of seniority. * Fluent in English; French is a plus. *  Demonstrating courage, collaboration, speed and continuous learning. ** ** **At Nestlé, we care about our people** Our benefits are designed to support your growth and wellbeing, so you can thrive at work and in life: * Exciting opportunities to develop your career your way, across different brands, businesses, functions, and regions. * Flexible working arrangements that facilitate creativity and collaboration. * A culture of respect, with diversity, equity, and inclusion at its core. * A dynamic international environment empowering you to learn, develop, and grow. ** ** **What to expect from our hiring process** We are committed to an inclusive and respectful hiring experience and are happy to provide reasonable accommodations if needed. Our workplaces are fully accessible and supported by a strong safety culture, with modern installations and procedures to ensure a safe environment for everyone. The hiring process typically includes an interview with Talent Acquisition, an interview with the hiring team, and a final discussion and offer. We review applications as they are received and close the role once a strong list of relevant candidates is identified, so we encourage you to apply early. All information is treated confidentially.   *Stay vigilant: Nestlé will only contact candidates via official company email addresses and will never ask for payments or sensitive personal information at any stage of the hiring process.* ** ** **Ready to grow with us?** Apply now and help shape a better and healthier world, inspire people to live healthier lives, and deliver impact at a scale and pace that makes a difference.   Lausanne, CH