Senior Counsel, Intellectual Property

Location:

London, London, United Kingdom

Job ID:

R0143390

Date Posted:

2026-10-14

Company Name:

HITACHI RAIL LIMITED

Profession (Job Category):

Legal, Compliance & Audit

Job Schedule:

Full time

Remote:

No

About Us

A career at Hitachi Rail will help create a legacy. With operations in every corner of the world, our work goes to the cutting-edge of digital transformation and technology. From the multi-cultural strength of our global organisation to the sustainable and innovative ways we work to bring people together, there’s something for everyone to get stuck into. And that’s where you come in.

Job Description:

Your new role

Shape the future of innovation, technology and sustainable mobility on a global scale.

As Senior IP Counsel, you will play a pivotal role in protecting and maximising the value of the technologies that are transforming the future of transportation. From AI and digital platforms to complex engineering solutions and strategic acquisitions, you'll advise senior business leaders on some of the most commercially significant and technically sophisticated intellectual property matters across the organisation.

This is a rare opportunity to join the global Intellectual Property function and influence how intellectual property, software, data and AI governance are managed across an international technology business. Working at the centre of innovation, legal strategy and commercial decision-making, you'll help shape policy, drive best practice and ensure our intellectual assets continue to create long-term value worldwide.

If you're a commercially minded IP lawyer who enjoys operating at a strategic level, partnering with senior stakeholders and solving complex challenges in a fast-moving global environment, we'd love to hear from you.

Some key responsibilities

• Contribute to the development and implementation of Hitachi Rail's global IP strategy, governance frameworks, policies and operating models.
• Provide practical and commercially focused IP advice to stakeholders across R&D, engineering, digital, procurement, sales and innovation functions.
• Advise on intellectual property ownership, licensing, software, data, AI, confidentiality and know-how protection matters.
• Identify and mitigate IP risks associated with commercial projects, bids, partnerships and customer engagements.
• Support the negotiation of IP provisions across technology, software, procurement, collaboration and commercial agreements.
• Provide IP support on mergers, acquisitions, restructuring projects and business integrations, including due diligence and risk assessments.
• Manage IP disputes, enforcement actions and pre-litigation matters while coordinating with external legal counsel.
• Advise on emerging technologies, including software, AI, data and open-source governance, helping ensure responsible adoption and compliance.
• Develop and deliver training programmes that promote strong IP awareness and governance across the organisation.

About you

You will be a qualified lawyer or senior intellectual property professional with significant experience advising complex, technology-led international organisations. You will combine excellent legal expertise with strong commercial judgement and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.

You'll bring:

• Vast experience in intellectual property law, including substantial in-house experience.
• Strong expertise in IP contracts, licensing, software and digital technology projects.
• Experience supporting complex commercial transactions and cross-border IP matters.
• A strong understanding of patents, trademarks, copyright, trade secrets, designs and related IP rights.
• Exposure to M&A transactions, integration activities and IP asset management.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• An interest in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, digital products and data governance.
• The ability to communicate complex legal concepts in a clear, practical and business-friendly way.
• Excellent written and spoken English. Additional language skills such as French, Italian, German or Japanese would be advantageous.

What we offer

We value the importance of all of our employees. If you would like to join our fantastic organisation, you could be entitled to:

• Competitive salary
• Potential opportunity for annual performance related bonus
• 25 days holiday
• Pension scheme with contributions up to 9%
• Private medical insurance
• Personal Accident insurance
• Group Income Protection
• Group Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme

We also offer additional perks for you to choose from within a flexible plan that will meet your specific needs and lifestyle.

Join us and help shape the future of sustainable mobility while protecting and maximising the value of innovation across one of the world's leading rail technology businesses.

Thank you for your interest in Hitachi Rail. If your application is of interest, we will be in contact. Please do not hesitate to discover more about us and our latest jobs at https://www.hitachirail.com/careers.

At Hitachi Rail, there is a place for everyone. We welcome and value differences in background, age, gender, sexuality, family status, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, and world view. It is our commitment to create an inclusive environment - we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

We would be delighted if you would be one of our followers at https://www.linkedin.com/company/hitachirail

About Us

Hitachi brings together the world’s greatest minds to help breathe life into new possibilities – and drive innovation for a better future. That’s why we look for individuals who share our pioneering spirit, have imaginative ideas and are fearless when it comes to tackling the world’s biggest challenges.

Contact Us

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