IP Patent Agent: Mechanical & Electrical (Wireless Devices)

Barnes & Thornburg LLP; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Barnes & Thornburg’s intellectual property practice in Raleigh seeks a Patent Agent with 3-5 years of experience. The ideal candidate has a mechanical engineering background with electrical drafting experience and familiarity with wireless device hardware such as smartphones, tablets, and wearables.

You will prepare and prosecute U.S. and international patent applications, draft specifications and claims, conduct prior art searches, and support due diligence and post-grant proceedings.

Qualifications

• Registration in good standing before the USPTO.
• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.
• 3-5 years of patent prosecution experience, ideally at a large law firm or boutique IP firm.
• Experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications in mechanical and electrical engineering subjects.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage a substantial docket and meet deadlines.
• Attention to detail with commitment to high-quality work.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and prosecute U.S. and international patent applications
• Draft patent applications, including specifications, claims, and drawings descriptions, for inventions relating to consumer electronics hardware and electromechanical systems
• Conduct prior art searches and support patentability, freedom-to-operate, and invalidity analyses, including clearance opinions for product launches
• Respond to USPTO Office Actions and manage prosecution strategy in coordination with partners and clients
• Conduct inventor interviews and distill complex technical subject matter into clear, precise patent disclosure
• Support due diligence efforts related to patent portfolios in transactions and licensing matters
• Assist with post-grant proceedings, including inter partes review and reexamination, as needed
• Manage docket deadlines and maintain accurate file records

Skills

Patent prosecution

Drafting patent applications

Mechanical engineering background

USPTO registration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Job description

Barnes & Thornburg’s intellectual property practice in Raleigh seeks a Patent Agent with 3-5 years of experience. The ideal candidate has a mechanical engineering background with electrical drafting experience and familiarity with wireless device hardware such as smartphones, tablets, and wearables.

You will prepare and prosecute U.S. and international patent applications, draft specifications and claims, conduct prior art searches, and support due diligence and post-grant proceedings.