Intellectual Property Paralegal

MITRE; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 74,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site four days a week

Job summary

MITRE, a nonprofit engineering and research organization, seeks an IP paralegal to bridge inventors and outside counsel. You will monitor prosecution deadlines, maintain docketing, and support IP disclosures.

Ideal candidate has 2+ years IP paralegal experience, strong communication, and ability to manage high volumes while protecting confidentiality. On-site four days a week in McLean, VA, with Secret clearance requirement.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a minimum of 3 years of related experience with a High School Diploma or equivalent in education, or 2 years’ experience and an Associate degree, or equivalent combination of education and related work experience.
• 2+ years of experience working as an IP paralegal in a law firm or corporate environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, time management, and multitasking skills, with keen attention to detail, accuracy, and the ability to manage deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Monitor patent prosecution deadlines and maintain accurate docketing of all due dates.
• Maintain and update IP portfolio databases, track registration statuses, renewal deadlines, and licensing terms.
• Review invention disclosure documents and collaborate with inventors to develop intellectual property disclosures.
• Participate in invention disclosure meetings and advise inventors on IP protection.
• Support licensing activities, employee IP training programs, and client counseling efforts as needed.
• Prepare internal and external communications upon patent issuance including updating public-facing resources with newly awarded patent information.

Skills

Communication skills

Time management

Attention to detail

Project leadership

MS Office

Team collaboration

Discretion

Education

High School Diploma

Associate degree

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

IP docketing software

Job description

At MITRE, your passion fuels work that impacts our nation and improves lives. This is where your skills strengthen national security, cybersecurity, health, transportation, and citizen services. We’re a nonprofit engineering, applied research, and advanced technology organization working in the public interest. With objectivity and integrity at our core, we lead federally funded research and development centers for U.S. government agencies – collaborating with industry and academia to deliver integrated, high-impact solutions that advance our nation’s health, security, and prosperity. Our people tackle the toughest technical challenges, supported by competitive benefits, meaningful career development, and a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence. Choose MITRE for a career with purpose — and help shape the future.

MITRE’s Office of General Counsel ("OGC") advances MITRE’s mission and purpose by providing legal expertise and services necessary to protect the company’s interests. OGC delivers strategic direction for current and new endeavors and executes functions essential to the company's ongoing operations. Reporting to MITRE’s Associate General Counsel and Chief Intellectual Property Counsel, this position will serve as the bridge between MITRE inventors and outside counsel — by managing filings, maintaining docketing, and ensuring compliance with deadlines and procedural requirements. The ideal candidate has strong organizational and communication skills, experience with USPTO procedures and IP docketing systems, and the ability to manage a high volume of deadlines with precision and accuracy. A paralegal certificate or equivalent qualification is preferred; a technical background in science or engineering is a plus for patent-focused work.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Monitor patent prosecution deadlines and maintain accurate docketing of all due dates, including provisional and non-provisional filing deadlines, annuity payments, and maintenance fees.
• Maintain and update IP portfolio databases, track registration statuses, renewal deadlines, and licensing terms.
• Review invention disclosure documents and collaborate with inventors to develop intellectual property disclosures.
• Participate in invention disclosure meetings and, with support from the Associate General Counsel, advise inventors on IP protection.
• Support licensing activities, employee IP training programs, and client counseling efforts as needed.
• Prepare internal and external communications upon patent issuance including updating public-facing resources with newly awarded patent information.
• Stay current on USPTO rules and internal procedures and policies.

Basic Qualifications

• Typically requires a minimum of 3 years of related experience with a High School Diploma or equivalent in education, or 2 years’ experience and an Associate degree, or equivalent combination of education and related work experience.
• 2+ years of experience working as an IP paralegal in a law firm or corporate environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, time management, and multitasking skills, with keen attention to detail, accuracy, and the ability to manage deadlines.
• Ability to lead small projects, monitor progress, and take ownership of assignments with accountability and sound professional judgment.
• Advanced computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, with a client-service orientation and the ability to work effectively with attorneys, team members, and vendors.
• Proven ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism, integrity, and discretion.
• Commitment to continuous learning, process improvement, adaptability, and identifying new solutions.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S Government issued Security Clearance. Per the U.S. Government’s eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance.
• This position requires a minimum of 4 days a week on-site.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program A technical background in science or engineering.
• Familiarity with IP licensing, technology transfer, and commercialization activities.
• Familiarity with IP docketing policies and procedures, IP management software, and IP licensing practices.

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s)

None

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s)

Secret

Salary compensation range and midpoint

$73,600 - $92,000 - $110,400 Annual

Work Location Type

Onsite

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.

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Benefits information may be found here.

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