IP Counsel

USA 3M Company

Apply to this job
CN, Shanghai Until 8/22/2026 H-1B sponsor history First posted April 20, 2026 Last posted April 20, 2026
Job description
3M has a long-standing reputation as a company committed to innovation. We provide the freedom to explore and encourage curiosity and creativity. We gain new insight from diverse thinking, and take risks on new ideas. Here, you can apply your talent in bold ways that matter.

Job Description:

1. Job Description
An IP Counsel has a primary responsibility of providing IP legal services to several of 3M China’s businesses and staff functions (referred to as “clients”).  In country, the IP Counsel collaborates with counterparts in the Office of General Counsel and Compliance and Ethics and Compliance team and other staff functions to provide cost effective, high quality IP services to the clients. The IP Counsel will be a business partner whose role is to create IP solutions that
provides a competitive advantage to 3M CHK.

2. Essential Job Functions
a) IP generation: work directly with technical team to ensure inventions are captured in high quality invention submissions (IS); thereafter, validate the IS through 3M’s electronic systems and then lead meetings with technical managers and inventors making local recommendations to the global divisions whether the IS should be converted into a patent application.
b) Draft/review patent application, work with local outside counsel and global division’s IP attorney to prepare the patent application for filing; draft/review responses to office actions.
c) Provide freedom to operate opinions and guidance to clients as needed.
d) Review commercial contracts containing IP clauses to ensure that they are within 3M’s guidelines.
e) Collaborate with global division IP counsels to draft IP centric agreements, such as technical collaboration agreements, R&D research funding agreements, and university agreements.
f) Provide training and guidance to technical and business teams on IP processes and best practices.
g) Provide client counseling on IP related matters to the local businesses

3. Experience and Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or above from an accredited university with a technical background in materials science, chemical engineering, polymer science or chemistry
- Qualified as a Chinese patent attorney; bar qualification would be a plus
-Solid experience in patent drafting, prosecution, and invalidation, ideally within a multinational company or reputable law firm
- Strong communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively with technical and business stakeholders
- Demonstrated business acumen and the ability to translate technical innovation into strategic IP value
- Fluent in Mandarin; proficient in English for business and technical communication.

Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @3M.

Safety is a core value at 3M. All employees are expected to contribute to a strong Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) culture by following safety policies, identifying hazards, and engaging in continuous improvement.

Please note: your application may not be considered if you do not provide your education and work history, either by: 1) uploading a resume, or 2) entering the information into the application fields directly.

3M Global Terms of Use and Privacy Statement


Carefully read these Terms of Use before using this website. Your access to and use of this website and application for a job at 3M are conditioned on your acceptance and compliance with these terms.

Please click on the following links and select the country where you are applying for employment to review the applicable Terms of Use (link here) and Privacy Policy (link here). Before submitting your application, you will be asked to confirm your agreement with the terms.

About this role

Summary

Provide IP legal services including patent drafting, counseling, and contract review at 3M China

Job title

IP Counsel

Experience level

qualified as a Chinese patent attorney

Industry

manufacturing

Location requirements

Shanghai, China; remote not specified

Salary

Not specified

Visa sponsorship

H-1B sponsor history

Management role

No

Skills & keywords

Required skills

patent draftingpatent prosecutionlegal counselChinese patent attorney

Preferred skills

None specified

Specializations

patent lawIP strategypatent draftingtechnology law
Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

Shanghai, China

Work arrangement unknown City