Counsel, Patents & IP

New York, NY · Flex - TN · New York · San Francisco · USD 176,000-220,000 / year · 5+ years experience · Hybrid · Posted Sep 29, 2026

At a glance

This position will manage Lyft's patent function, driving the strategy and day-to-day management of the patent portfolio while advising on open source, reviewing technical publications, and serving as a trusted advisor on IP questions.
The role works on cutting-edge issues spanning global expansion, mobility hardware and software, and supporting the deployment and expansion of autonomous vehicles on Lyft's network.

Own the patent portfolio end to end for the company including invention harvesting, invention disclosure meetings, portfolio mining, and directing patent application preparation and prosecution by outside patent counsel.
Drive patent strategy and drive filing, continuation, and abandonment decisions based on technical merit, competitive landscape, and cost, and own portfolio health and reporting against product roadmaps.
Counsel and collaborate with engineering on open source license review and approval for inbound and outbound open source, including license compatibility and compliance risk.
Review papers, blog posts, conference talks, and other public technical disclosures for IP and confidentiality risk and relevant counseling.
Provide broad-based strategic and portfolio advice as well as counseling key stakeholders in protecting and defending IP rights worldwide.
Support IP diligence for partnerships, M&A, and vendor relationships.
Train and educate product and engineering teams in intellectual property matters, and build tools, policies, and processes that scale with the business.

5+ years of patent prosecution experience in a relevant area
Experience advising on open source license compliance
Must be a member of the Patent Bar and have substantial understanding of patent law outside of litigation
Must be proactive, self-directed, detail oriented, organized, and have exceptional communication skills
Demonstrate AI fluency and comfort using AI tools in day-to-day work
JD required
BS or MS in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent technical field
State bar membership
Eligible to practice before the US Patent and Trademark Office

Great medical, dental, and vision insurance options with additional programs available when enrolled
Mental health benefits
Family building benefits
Child care and pet benefits
401(k) plan with company match to help save for your future
Discretionary paid time off for salaried team members and 15 days paid time off for hourly team members, in addition to 12 observed holidays
18 weeks of paid parental leave for biological, adoptive, and foster parents
Subsidized commuter benefits
Monthly Lyft credits and complimentary Lyft Pink membership

In-office on a hybrid schedule, expected to work in the office 3 days per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
Hybrid roles have the flexibility to work from anywhere for up to 4 weeks per year