Senior Intellectual Property Attorney
Our Opportunity
Work Location: 256 St Georges Terrace Perth WA
Fortescue’s Perth CBD office located on the traditional lands of the Whadjuk people.
Reporting to: Chief General Counsel
This is a unique opportunity for a seasoned Patent Attorney to deploy intellectual property strategy within a high-impact, innovation-driven organisation. If you’re passionate about aligning legal foresight with commercial growth, and have a strong command of global IP frameworks, we want to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities
- Guide enterprise-level IP strategy with direct influence on R&D, commercial, and executive decision-making.
- Evaluate complex inventions, assess freedom-to-operate, and advise on the IP direction for future technologies.
- Act as a strategic advisor to the Chief General Counsel and leadership teams on emerging IP risks and opportunities.
- Serve as an internal authority on patent procedure, oppositions, portfolio optimization, and cross-border filings.
- Collaborate globally with inventors, innovators, and external counsel to safeguard high-value intellectual assets.
- Contribute to policy development and mentoring initiatives across the legal function.
Qualifications and Experience
- 5+ years’ experience as a registered Patent Attorney (Australia or overseas).
- Working at senior associate or special counsel level at a firm or in house.
- A background in engineering, physical or inorganic chemistry, or physics and deep insight into commercial application of innovation.
- Demonstrated success shaping IP portfolios in complex or regulated industries.
- A global mindset with fluency in IP frameworks across jurisdictions.
- Clear, confident communication with executives, inventors, and external stakeholders.
Why Join Us?
At the forefront of technological innovation, we understand that IP is more than protection it’s power. Here, your experience will be valued, your voice heard, and your influence felt across the organisation. You’ll work alongside industry pioneers, lead with autonomy, and contribute to initiatives that shape the future.
This is more than a legal role it’s a strategic influence position within a team that values excellence, foresight, and innovation.
We welcome applications from candidates outside of Perth who are open to relocating to Perth, WA independently.
About Us
Be part of something big. Fortescue is leading the world with our plan to decarbonise our iron ore operations, projects that harness renewable energy and the development of technology that will change our planet forever.
Our Commitment
Fortescue celebrates individual strengths and team members are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work. Our global workforce drives and promotes an inclusive culture, both within our organisation and throughout the communities we interact with. Diverse backgrounds include First Nations Peoples, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ community, gender, neurodiverse, cultural diversity, all age groups, and those with an intersectional or multiple diverse characteristics. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
https://fortescue.com/careers
Internal Candidates / Current Contractors please apply via Success Factors Careers Portal. For further information on how to apply please visit the Fortescue Hub.
Fortescue reserves the right to close applications early should a suitable pool of candidates be identified. Fortescue will never contact you to ask for payment of any kind, whether directly or through a third party.