Engineering Patent Associate – Prosecution & Portfolio Lead

Watts & Associates Recruitment; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 225,000 - 310,000; Full time

Job summary

Watts & Associates is seeking a Patent Associate – Engineering to join its national offices. You will work on sophisticated patent prosecution and portfolio strategy for technology and life-sciences clients, with direct collaboration with partners and senior attorneys on high-value matters.

The role offers ownership of substantial workstreams, mentorship, and opportunities to advance within a renowned Am Law 100 platform across multiple offices.

Qualifications

• Approximately 1–2 years of substantive patent prosecution experience.
• Experience handling patent prosecution and portfolio strategy for sophisticated clients.
• Strong drafting, analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams and meet deadlines; communicate with clients.

Responsibilities

• Draft and prosecute patent applications and manage domestic and international portfolios.
• Work with inventors and in-house teams to understand technology and develop protection strategies.
• Prepare responses, conduct prior-art analysis and advise on freedom-to-operate and portfolio development.
• Coordinate with foreign counsel and support IP-related transactions.
• Collaborate across related practice areas and offices and take increasing ownership of workstreams.

Skills

Patent prosecution

Portfolio strategy

Drafting & analysis

Communication with clients

Tools

USPTO registration

Job description

Watts & Associates is seeking a Patent Associate – Engineering to join its national offices. You will work on sophisticated patent prosecution and portfolio strategy for technology and life-sciences clients, with direct collaboration with partners and senior attorneys on high-value matters.

The role offers ownership of substantial workstreams, mentorship, and opportunities to advance within a renowned Am Law 100 platform across multiple offices.