Technology Transfer Commercialization Engineer

at  ARES Corporation

ARES has an exciting opportunity for a Technology Transfer Commercialization Engineer. A successful Technology Transfer Commercialization Engineer will have a skillset at the intersection of technology (preferably a background with formal engineering or science training + ability to become a “generalist’ – analyzing technologies outside of formal training) and business (including primary and secondary market research). Technical writing skills are required. A basic understanding of the US patent system and patent licensing is strongly preferred. Candidates with work experience in Technology Transfer, Technology Scouting, Innovation Management, or early-stage technology commercialization are preferred.
NASA’s Technology Transfer (T2) program is tasked with ensuring that commercially valuable innovations developed at the agency are identified, protected, and licensed to U.S. companies. This position will support due diligence of new inventions developed at NASA to determine commercial potential, inform patent decisioning, and outline licensing strategies. Findings will be documented in professional reports and delivered to NASA. Additionally, the position entails developing technology marketing materials, identifying potential licensees, and marketing NASA patented technologies to industries to generate licensing interest. NASA’s Technology Transfer (T2) program is tasked with ensuring that commercially valuable innovations developed at the agency are identified, protected, and licensed to U.S. companies. This position will support due diligence of new inventions developed at NASA to determine commercial potential, inform patent decisioning, and outline licensing strategies. Findings will be documented in professional reports and delivered to NASA. Additionally, the position entails developing technology marketing materials, identifying potential licensees, and marketing NASA patented technologies to industries to generate licensing interest.
This is a remote position.

Preferred Experience:

• 5-10 years of experience with NASA’s Technology Transfer program, including familiarity with its mission to promote the commercialization of NASA innovations and research.
• Multiple Levels Available
• Level 1 = 0-3 years of experience in the field or related area
• Level 2 = 4-6 years of experience in the field or related area
• Level 3 = 7 years or more of experience in the field or related

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Science, Business Coursework (e.g., minor) or Experience; OR
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Related Field + Engineering or Science Coursework (e.g., minor) or Experience

• Performs technology analysis and market research (primary and secondary) to determine commercial potential of new inventions disclosed at NASA.
• Develops licensing strategies for NASA inventions with commercial promise (e.g., identifies key value propositions and potential licensees, develops compelling pitches to industry, etc.).
• Uses clear thinking and writing skills to generate deliverables (reports) detailing findings for delivery to NASA. Reports include sections such as technology background, technology description, SWOT analysis, intellectual property status, market analysis, licensing landscape, and inventor interview summaries.
• Leverages strong communication skills to develop and maintain rapport with various client stakeholders (Ph.D.-level inventors, NASA technology transfer personnel, decision makers in industry, etc.). Candidates must be comfortable interacting with such stakeholders on a regular basis.
• Markets patented NASA technologies to industry to generate licensing interest (identifies potential licensees, performs direct marketing to decision makers in industry, delivers initial technology pitches to companies interested in licensing NASA patented technologies)
• Drafts compelling marketing flyers for NASA patented inventions to be hosted on NASA’s Technology Transfer website.
• Analyzes NASA patents with upcoming maintenance fees (e.g., licensing history, licensing potential, competing technologies, etc.); generates reports providing recommendations on whether to pay upcoming maintenance fees
• Develop and maintain a basic understanding of the US patent system (e.g., should understand provisional and nonprovisional patent applications, statutory bars, public disclosures, maintenance fees); understand commercialization / licensing implications of intellectual property status.
• Additional responsibilities as needed.
• ARES offers a competitive compensation and benefit package. Full time employees may participate in:
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• HSA/FSA Accounts
• Life & Disability Insurance
• Critical Illness & Accident Insurance