Summer Student – Program Development

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Website WiLAN

Job Summary

The Summer Student – Program Development at WiLAN is an elite internship for students looking to work at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Intellectual Property (IP). This is not a typical “coffee-run” internship; it is a high-level operational role where you will help optimize how a global patent licensing leader manages its assets. This position requires the “wit” to craft sophisticated AI prompts for data extraction and the “grit” to maintain meticulous records within complex legal and commercial databases.

Job Details

  • Employer: WiLAN (A leader in technology patent licensing).

  • Location: Ottawa, ON.

  • Compensation: $27.00 per hour.

  • Duration: May 1 – August 28 (4 months).

  • Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week).

  • Target Major: University students in Business, Engineering, Law, Data Science, or related fields.

Key Responsibilities: The IP Innovation Lifecycle

You will support the transition of a raw invention into a commercially viable licensed technology.

  • AI Workflow Optimization: Develop and refine AI prompts to automate the analysis of technical documents and patent filings.

  • IP Research & Analysis: Conduct deep-dive research into emerging technologies to identify potential patent infringements or licensing opportunities.

  • Data Management: Organize and maintain high-fidelity records within CRM and program databases to support executive-level strategic decisions.

  • Commercialization Support: Assist in the coordination of activities that move innovation from a concept to a market-ready asset.

  • Confidentiality Management: Handle sensitive legal and technical data with a high degree of professional responsibility and discretion.

Candidate Profile & Qualifications

  • The “AI Specialist”: Practical experience in AI prompt engineering and data management is a core requirement.

  • Analytical Wit: The ability to find “needles in haystacks” within vast sets of technical and legal data.

  • Professional Grit: A self-starter attitude with the discipline to meet strict deadlines in a corporate legal environment.

  • Curiosity: A genuine interest in how patents, licensing, and intellectual property protect global innovation.

  • Communication: Strong written skills are essential for documenting research findings and program updates.

Technical Insights: The Role of AI in Modern Patent Strategy

In 2026, the “Patent Wars” are being fought with Large Language Models (LLMs).

  • Prompt Engineering for IP: You won’t just be “chatting” with AI. You will be building system prompts designed to compare “Claims” in a patent to “Technical Specifications” of a product to find overlaps.

  • CRM & Database Integrity: Understanding relational databases is key. You will be ensuring that the metadata associated with thousands of patents remains accurate for the legal team.

  • Technology Licensing: You will gain insight into how companies like Apple, Samsung, or Intel pay for the right to use technologies developed by others.

Why Join the WiLAN Team?

WiLAN is a cornerstone of the Ottawa “Silicon Valley North” tech scene, known for its rigorous approach to protecting innovation.

  • Resume Impact: This role provides rare exposure to Intellectual Property Strategy, a field usually reserved for senior legal or engineering staff.

  • Practical AI Application: While many students use AI for homework, you will be using it for industrial-grade workflow optimization.

  • Competitive Pay: At $27/hr, this is one of the highest-paying summer student roles in the Ottawa region for 2026.

  • Professional Environment: You will be treated as a colleague, given real responsibility, and expected to contribute to the company’s commercial success.

Job Description

Do you believe that ideas are the most valuable currency in the world? WiLAN is seeking a Summer Student for Program Development. We aren’t looking for an “assistant”; we are looking for a tech-savvy student who has the “grit” to manage complex databases and the “wit” to leverage AI to make our workflows faster and smarter. If you want a summer job that actually prepares you for a career in law, tech, or business strategy, you belong here.

In this role, you are a “Strategy Enabler.” You understand that in the world of patents, accuracy is everything. Your goal is to provide “Excellence in Program Support,” ensuring our IP portfolio is organized and our AI tools are performing at their peak. We look for “Initiative-first” students who are curious, professional, and ready to learn how the world’s biggest tech deals are made.

Joining WiLAN means spending your summer at the heart of innovation. We offer a professional environment where your contributions are valued and your growth is prioritized. If you are a university student with a commitment to “AI Innovation and Data Excellence,” we invite you to apply and help us shape the future of intellectual property in Ottawa.

WiLAN: Harnessing the Value of Intellectual Property

Wi-LAN Inc. (WiLAN) is a leading technology development and patent licensing company defined by a culture of specialized expertise, strategic negotiation, and legal rigor. Its mission is to “unlock the value of intellectual property” by acting as a bridge between inventors and the global marketplace. The internal environment is highly professional and research-intensive, combining deep technical knowledge with complex legal strategies to protect and monetize thousands of patented inventions across the wireless, semiconductor, and consumer electronics sectors.

In 2026, WiLAN continues to operate as a powerhouse in the global IP landscape, having recently transitioned into a privately-held entity:

  • Strategic Ottawa Headquarters: WiLAN remains headquartered in Ottawa, located at 2625 Queensview Drive, Suite 201. While its former parent company, Quarterhill, shifted its focus toward intelligent transportation, WiLAN’s move to become a private company has allowed it to double down on its “core DNA” of high-stakes patent monetization.

  • The Ownership Shift: In mid-2023, WiLAN was acquired by Owlpoint IP Opportunities JVF LP (a joint venture involving Owlpoint Capital and Arena Investors). This transition was designed to provide the firm with more flexible, private capital to aggressively expand its licensing platforms and acquire new technology portfolios.

  • Specialized Technology Verticals: WiLAN manages a vast portfolio of over 800 patented inventions (and thousands of sub-patents) that are critical to modern life:

    • Wireless Connectivity: Technologies foundational to Wi-Fi (W-OFDM), LTE, 5G, and Bluetooth.

    • Semiconductors: Innovations in memory (DRAM/NAND Flash), microprocessors, and logic chips used in everything from smartphones to data centers.

    • Consumer Electronics: Managing the legacy of the V-Chip (parental controls) and advanced display technologies used in digital TVs.

  • Global Licensing Powerhouse: The “WiLAN Way” involves detailed research and high-level negotiations with some of the world’s largest corporations. Their list of licensees has included giants like Apple, Samsung, Intel, Broadcom, and Cisco, often involving multi-year settlement agreements that resolve complex cross-border patent litigations.

  • The “WiLAN Labs” Culture: Beyond licensing existing patents, the firm maintains an R&D arm dedicated to researching next-generation communication systems. This culture of “internal innovation” ensures they aren’t just managing the past, but are actively building the “building blocks” of future technologies.

Engaging with WiLAN in Ottawa means working at the intersection of law, engineering, and finance. Whether they are partnering with a small inventor who lacks the resources to protect their work or negotiating a massive portfolio acquisition from a global semiconductor firm, the experience is defined by a commitment to ensuring that “innovation receives its fair economic incentive.”

To apply for this job please visit wilan.com.