Intellectual Property Compliance & Permissions Specialist

Full-Time | Remote (U.S.) | Must be eligible to work for any U.S. employer
No recruiters or agencies, please.

The International Society of Automation (ISA) is seeking a sharp, detail-driven Intellectual Property Compliance & Permissions Specialist to help protect and steward the intellectual property that powers the global automation community. In this role, you’ll be the frontline guardian of ISA’s standards, training content, publications, and trademarks — ensuring they’re used properly, licensed appropriately, and safeguarded against misuse.

If you enjoy investigative work, thrive in a structured environment, and want to play an essential role in protecting high-impact technical content used worldwide, this is an opportunity to make a real difference.

What You’ll Do

As ISA’s IP Compliance & Permissions Specialist, you will:

Protect & Enforce ISA’s Intellectual Property

• Monitor online platforms, publications, and distributors for unauthorized use of ISA content, standards, training materials, and trademarks.

• Investigate leads or reports of IP infringement from staff, members, and outside organizations.

• Prepare and send cease-and-desist notices, takedown requests, and other enforcement communications.

• Work with hosting providers, social media platforms, and e-commerce sites to remove infringing content.

• Maintain detailed records and track all enforcement actions through resolution.

Manage Permissions & Licensing

• Collect, route, evaluate, and track all requests for permission to use ISA intellectual property.

• Prepare licensing agreements for approval by the CEO.

• Communicate with members, companies, and external stakeholders to clarify usage rules and provide guidance.

Strengthen our IP Strategy

• Coordinate with ISA’s Managing Director and legal counsel to escalate issues requiring formal legal action.

• Document protocols and ensure procedures stay current.

• Recommend policy improvements as new digital challenges emerge.

• Support special projects as needed.

This is a highly collaborative role that partners with leaders across ISA, while also working directly with members and outside organizations.

Who You Are

You’re methodical, curious, professional, and able to balance firmness with diplomacy. You can spot unauthorized content a mile away — and you know how to communicate with clarity and confidence when addressing it.

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree (Legal Studies, Business Administration, Communications, Information/Knowledge Management, or a related field preferred).

• Experience in intellectual property enforcement, compliance, standards development or legal affairs, ideally in a nonprofit, publishing, or education environment.

• Strong analytical and investigative skills — you enjoy digging into details.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, especially when drafting formal notices.

• Working knowledge of copyright and trademark law and digital content protection.

• Understanding of licensing models for technical standards, training content, or professional publications.

• Ability to balance enforcement responsibilities with positive member and stakeholder relationships.

Why ISA?

ISA sets the global standard for automation — literally. Our content shapes industries, builds safer workplaces, and supports professionals worldwide. By protecting our IP, you help preserve the integrity of the entire automation ecosystem.

You'll join a collaborative, mission-driven team making an international impact while enjoying the flexibility of a remote U.S. position.

About ISA

The International Society of Automation (ISA) is a non-profit professional association of engineers, technicians, and management engaged in industrial automation. As the globally trusted provider of foundational standards-based technical resources for the profession, ISA strives to build a better world through automation.

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