Closing Date: 25th May, 2026
Description:
Description:Career Area:
Legal and Compliance
Job Description:
Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.
When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.
It's More Than a Job, It's a Career
Caterpillar is seeking an Assistant General Counsel – Trademarks to provide strategic leadership for Caterpillar's global trademark portfolio, protecting and advancing one of the world's most valuable brands. This role reports to the Head of Trademarks and partners closely with senior business and legal leaders to manage risk, support growth, and ensure strong trademark assets and protection across global markets in a high‑volume, dynamic environment
What you will do:
- Provide leadership on global trademark strategy, including prosecution, enforcement, portfolio optimization, and risk management across U.S. and international jurisdictions.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders (VP and above), counseling on complex trademark, brand, and strategic business issues.
- Oversee a high‑volume trademark portfolio (300-500 active matters annually) including trademark acquisition advice, clearance, prosecution, maintenance and enforcement actions (counterfeit, seizures and coordination with local law enforcement will be required).
- Management of outside counsel globally, including budget oversight, performance management, and vendor strategy.
- Support and develop a globally distributed team, including paralegals and support staff, fostering growth, accountability, and operational excellence.
- Support subsidiary and product branding initiatives, including trademarks related to technology, AI, digital tools, icons, and media assets.
- Partner cross‑functionally to ensure compliance in dynamic geopolitical and sanctions‑impacted environments.
- Drive continuous improvement through process optimization, technology adoption, and effective use of AI tools
What You Have:
- Deep expertise in U.S. and international trademark law, including prosecution, enforcement, and portfolio management strategies.
- Strong business acumen with the ability to align legal strategies to Caterpillar's long‑term growth and brand objectives.
- Vision and understanding of complex cross discipline international IP options to support business objectives.
- Proven experience managing outside counsel and vendors including budget management and high‑volume legal workflows.
- Excellent executive‑level communication skills, with the ability to deliver clear, concise guidance and risk advice.
- Demonstrated leadership experience managing teams across geographies and cultures and excellent teamwork/ networking skills
- Understanding of the broader global legal landscape to issue spot and support compliance risk management
- The ability to prioritize, execute and make appropriate decisions under pressure
- J.D. required
- Licensed to practice law in Texas or Illinois, or licensed in another U.S. state and able to become licensed in Texas or Illinois
- 10+ years of progressively responsible job-related experience
- In‑house legal experience strongly preferred.
- Experience supporting global brands in regulated, multinational environments.
- Comfort operating in high‑visibility, fast‑paced, and high‑decision‑volume role
Additional Details:
- This position can be located in Irving, TX, or Peoria, IL
- Domestic relocation assistance is available for those who qualify
- International and Domestic travel up to 10%
- Sponsorship is NOT available
What You Will Get:
- Our goal at Caterpillar is for you to have a rewarding career. Our teams are critical to the success of our customers who build a better world.
- Here you earn more than just a salary because we value your performance. We offer a total rewards package that provides benefits on day one (medical, dental, vision, RX, and 401K) along with the potential of an annual bonus. Additional benefits include paid vacation days and paid holidays.
- All qualified individuals - Including minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities - are encouraged to apply.
