Job Description

Location: Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Reports to: Director of Intellectual Property

Position Overview

Albany International Corporation seeks a Patent Counsel to support the development and execution of the Company’s global patent strategy. Reporting to the Assistant General Counsel, Director of Intellectual Property, the Patent Counsel will work closely with business, R&D, and legal stakeholders to identify and review innovations, assess available intellectual property protection, and recommend practical forward courses of action aligned with business priorities. The role will oversee the preparation and prosecution of patent applications, direct outside patent counsel, and participate in strategic management of the Company’s patent portfolio.

The Patent Counsel will serve as a trusted business partner, translating technical and legal issues into clear, actionable recommendations. The role requires sound judgment, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple matters across Albany’s global businesses and technologies.

About Albany International

Albany International is a multinational corporation specializing in advanced textiles and materials processing. The Company manufactures engineered components primarily for the aerospace and paper industries, including composite aircraft components, custom-designed fabrics and belts used in paper manufacturing and other process industries, and advanced engineered materials.

Responsibilities and Key Areas

• Partner closely with R&D, and technical teams to identify, review, and evaluate innovations and potential inventions.
• Assess patentability, strategic value, competitive considerations, disclosure timing, and other relevant factors, and recommend whether and how to pursue patent protection or alternative courses of action.
• Provide clear, business-focused counseling regarding patent strategy, freedom-to-operate considerations, invention disclosures, public disclosures, and protection of confidential know-how and trade secrets.
• Oversee the preparation and filing of U.S. and foreign patent applications, including setting drafting and filing priorities; reviewing and editing application drafts; drafting applications and claim sets; and ensuring filings accurately reflect the technology and business objectives.
• Manage ongoing U.S. and foreign patent prosecution, including reviewing office actions, developing response strategies, coordinating with inventors and outside counsel, and making recommendations regarding claim scope, continuation practice, appeals, and abandonment decisions.
• Direct and manage outside patent counsel to ensure high-quality, timely, and cost-effective work aligned with Albany’s intellectual property and business strategies.
• Participate in patent portfolio management, including portfolio reviews, pruning and maintenance decisions, family and country filing strategies, budgeting, and alignment of the portfolio with current and anticipated business priorities.
• Monitor relevant competitor patent activity and technology developments, and provide strategic analysis to business and technical teams.
• Support patent-related due diligence, post-grant proceedings, disputes, licensing, collaborations, joint development activities, and other technology transactions as needed.
• Draft joint development agreements and collaborative research agreements.
• Coordinate with internal legal colleagues on intellectual property provisions in confidentiality, supply, licensing, and other commercial agreements.
• Review proposed technical publications, presentations, marketing materials, and other external disclosures for patent and confidentiality considerations.
• Develop and deliver practical intellectual property training for employees, including training on invention identification, invention disclosures, confidentiality, and patent processes.
• Maintain accurate matter records, improve database integrity, support portfolio reporting and budgeting, and contribute to continuous improvement of patent processes and tools.
• Travel to Albany and external facilities as needed to engage with business and technical teams.
• Contribute to other intellectual property and legal matters as needed.

Qualifications

Preferred Experience, Characteristics, and Education

• J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school and active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Admission to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
• Undergraduate or advanced degree in mechanical engineering, materials science, chemical engineering , or another relevant technical discipline.
• At least five years of relevant patent experience in a law firm, corporate legal department, or a combination of both.
• Experience preparing and prosecuting U.S. and foreign patent applications, preferably involving complex mechanical, materials, manufacturing, aerospace, textile, or process technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate inventions and provide pragmatic recommendations that balance legal protection, business value, cost, timing, and risk.
• Drafting and negotiating licensing and other technology transactions.
• Experience managing outside counsel and patent portfolios across multiple technologies, business units, and jurisdictions.
• Ability to understand complex technologies, ask effective questions, and communicate legal and strategic advice clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong business judgment, collaboration skills, and commitment to building trusted relationships with internal clients and external partners.
• Exceptional diligence, organization, attention to detail, and ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Experience with licensing, technology transactions, patent disputes, post-grant proceedings, or intellectual property due diligence is a plus.
• Experience in the machine clothing, aerospace, advanced materials, manufacturing, paper, or industrial technology sectors is preferred.

Role Expectations

As a member of Albany’s global legal team, the Patent Counsel is expected to act as a full business partner, support sound decision-making, facilitate innovation and responsible risk-taking, and contribute to continuous improvement within the Legal Department and the businesses it supports.