Patent Counsel

Job Description

At WHOOP, we’re on a mission to unlock human performance and healthspan. WHOOP empowers members to perform at a higher level through a deeper understanding of their bodies and daily lives.

WHOOP is hiring a Patent Counsel to help build and scale an intellectual property program that supports innovation across hardware, software, data science, and health technology. In this role, you will partner closely with R&D to surface inventions early, develop strong invention disclosures for outside prosecution counsel, support portfolio and clearance analyses, and help strengthen the internal policies, training, and systems that allow the WHOOP IP function to grow thoughtfully over time. This is a strong fit for someone who enjoys working directly with technical teams, has a good instinct for the inventive concept, values practical execution, and is excited to deepen in-house IP capabilities while helping build durable processes.

This role is based in the WHOOP office located in Boston, MA. The successful candidate must be prepared to relocate if necessary to work out of the Boston, MA office. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Partner closely with engineers, scientists, product leaders, and other R&D stakeholders to identify potentially patentable innovations, draw out key technical details, and develop invention disclosures into mature submissions ready for outside patent prosecution counsel.
• Lead third-party patent portfolio analysis, freedom-to-operate and clearance reviews, and risk assessments in collaboration with senior legal leadership and outside counsel.
• Provide support to litigation matters with claims analysis. 
• Manage the day-to-day operation of the WHOOP trademark portfolio, including coordinating filings, renewals, watch notices, routine enforcement matters, and managing outside counsel.
• Help develop, document, and roll out internal IP policies, workflows, and trainings that improve how teams identify, protect, and use intellectual property.
• Build scalable operational processes for patent portfolio management, including helping evaluate, implement, and maintain an internal docketing system.
• Serve as a trusted cross-functional partner to Legal, R&D, Product, and business teams by translating complex IP concepts into clear, practical guidance.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• J.D. from an accredited law school, USPTO patent attorney registration, and active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.
• 6+ years of experience in patent law and intellectual property counseling, preferably a mix of major law firm and in-house experience.
• Technical background in electrical engineering, signal processing, or optics is preferred.  
• Experience working directly with technical teams to evaluate inventions, understand complex technologies, and translate early-stage concepts into strong patent disclosures or related IP recommendations.
• Familiarity with patent landscape analysis, third-party portfolio review, freedom-to-operate or clearance analysis, and coordinating with outside counsel on patent-related matters.
• Experience managing or supporting trademark portfolio work is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to build processes, improve workflows, and support the operational foundation of a growing legal or IP function, including comfort with docketing or portfolio management systems.
• Strong judgment, communication skills, and the ability to balance legal risk, business priorities, and technical complexity in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong commitment to embracing and leveraging AI tools in day-to-day tasks, ensuring AI-assisted work aligns with the same high-quality standards as personal contributions.

Interested in the role, but don’t meet every qualification? We encourage you to still apply! At WHOOP, we believe there is much more to a candidate than what is written on paper, and we value character as much as experience. As we continue to build a diverse and inclusive environment, we encourage anyone who is interested in this role to apply.

WHOOP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-verify to determine employment eligibility.  It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

The WHOOP compensation philosophy is designed to attract, motivate, and retain exceptional talent by offering competitive base salaries, meaningful equity, and consistent pay practices that reflect our mission and core values.

At WHOOP, we view total compensation as the combination of base salary, equity, and benefits, with equity serving as a key differentiator that aligns our employees with the long-term success of the company and allows every member of our corporate team to own part of WHOOP and share in the company’s long-term growth and success.

The U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $170,000 – $210,000. Salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within each range, individual pay is based on factors such as job-related skills, experience, performance, and relevant education or training. 

In addition to the base salary, the successful candidate will also receive benefits and a generous equity package.

These ranges may be modified in the future to reflect evolving market conditions and organizational needs. While most offers will typically fall toward the starting point of the range, total compensation will depend on the candidate’s specific qualifications, expertise, and alignment with the role’s requirements.