Senior Principal Legal Counsel – IP Patents

About the role

Coupang is seeking a senior legal professional to lead its patent strategy and protect its technology innovations. The role sits at the intersection of law, engineering, and product development, enabling rapid business growth while managing IP risk.

Key responsibilities

• Own and evolve patent portfolios across core technology areas supporting Coupang’s products and services.
• Drive end‑to‑end patent lifecycle execution, from invention harvesting and drafting to global filing and prosecution.
• Partner with engineers and product leaders to identify patentable innovations and align IP strategy with business priorities.
• Advise on patent risk, freedom‑to‑operate, licensing, invalidity, and dispute matters.
• Build inventor engagement programs and promote patent awareness across the organization.

Required profile

• Qualified Patent Attorney in the US or Korea.
• 15+ years of patent law experience, including in‑house and/or law‑firm work.
• Proven ability to work cross‑functionally in fast‑paced, high‑growth environments.
• Fluency in English; Korean language skills are a plus.

Required skills

• Patent prosecution
• Portfolio management
• Freedom‑to‑operate analysis
• IP litigation and licensing
• Technical understanding of software, platforms, and e‑commerce technologies