Lead Patent Counsel - Digital & AI (Lausanne, CH)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.