# 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.
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**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.
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**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.
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**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.
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**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.*
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**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
