IP & Patent Operations Specialist

G&W Electric Co.; Bolingbrook (IL); On-site; USD 62,000 - 84,493; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Tuition reimbursement

401(k) plan

Profit sharing

Vacation

State-of-the-art facility

Job summary

G&W Electric Co. in Bolingbrook, IL seeks an Intellectual Property Administrator to manage patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, coordinating with outside counsel and internal teams.

You will own invention disclosure processing, oversee patent filings and renewals, track deadlines, and help protect the company's innovative technology in a manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of domestic patent prosecution experience.
• Bachelor's degree and/or Paralegal Certificate preferred; Associate's degree required.
• Proficiency in MS Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Experience with invention disclosures and patent council support.
• Familiarity with engineering drawings and 3D CAD preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support to engineering and process departments for IP matters focused on patents.
• Own invention disclosure processing, including support to the patent council.
• Provide support and updates to inventors during the disclosure process.
• Oversee application and registration processes for IP rights, maintaining accurate records and managing renewals.
• Assist engineers and inventors with invention disclosure preparation, submission, and follow up with outside patent attorneys.
• Coordinate with internal personnel and external patent attorneys for scheduling and conducting invention review meetings.
• Organize, update, and maintain electronic IP files and data, ensuring accuracy and adherence to company protocols.
• Collaborate with outside patent attorneys to prepare, file, and prosecute new patent applications.
• Serve as a liaison between inventors, internal teams, external legal agencies, and patent offices, ensuring compliance with legal requirements.
• Review and process official communications, track docket dates for patent prosecution and internal project deadlines.
• Coordinate, route, and track foreign filing recommendation forms and instructions within the enterprise.
• Conduct research to track industry patents, identify potential infringements, and contribute to the company IP strategy.
• Assist with patent due diligence projects, including patentability studies and patent clearance investigations.
• Assist with IP recognition-related processes and events.
• Understand, improve, and simplify IP workflows.
• Generate reports and monitor deadlines to ensure timely completion of tasks.

Skills

Patent prosecution

Engineering drawings

3D CAD models

Time management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Paralegal Certificate

Associate's degree

Tools

MS Outlook

MS Word

MS Excel

IP database management

Job description

Intellectual Property Administrator

The Intellectual Property (IP) Administrator is a specialized professional responsible for managing and safeguarding the organization's intellectual property assets, which may include patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. The role involves ensuring that IP rights are properly documented, maintained, and enforced, aligning with the broader strategic goals of the organization. Beyond the operational and regulatory facets, the IP Administrator liaises with external IP counsel and relevant authorities to navigate the complex landscape of intellectual property law, both domestically and internationally.

As an Intellectual Property Administrator you will:

• Provide administrative support to our engineering and process departments for intellectual property matters focusing on patents.
  
  
  
  • Own invention disclosure processing, including support to the G&W Electric patent council.
  
  
  • Provide support and updates to inventors during the disclosure process.
  
  
  • Oversee the application and registration processes for intellectual property rights, maintaining accurate records, and managing renewals to ensure ongoing protection.
  
  
  • Assist engineers and other inventors with invention disclosure preparation, and submission and follow up with outside patent attorneys.
  
  
  • Coordinate with internal personnel and outside patent attorneys for scheduling and conducting invention review meetings.
  
  
  
  


• Organize, update and maintain electronic files, intellectual property data, ensuring accuracy and adherence to company protocols


• Collaborate with our outside patent attorneys to prepare, file, and prosecute new patent applications.
  
  
  
  • Serve as a liaison between inventors, internal teams, external legal agencies, and patent offices, facilitating smooth communication and ensuring compliance with legal requirements.
  
  
  • Review and process official communications, identify and track docket dates for patent prosecution and internal project deadlines.
  
  
  • Coordinate, route, and track foreign filing recommendation forms and instructions within enterprise.
  
  
  
  


• Conduct research to track industry patents, identify potential infringements, and input into company IP strategy. Assist with patent due diligence projects, including patentability studies and patent clearance investigations.


• Assist with IP recognition-related processes and events.


• Understand, improve, and simplify processes associated with IP workflows.


• Generate reports and monitor deadlines to ensure that deadlines are met.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has a minimum of five (5) years of domestic patent prosecution experience in a law firm or engineering design environment.


• Holds a Bachelor's degree and/or Paralegal Certificate preferred. Associate's degree required.


• Demonstrates poficiency in MS Outlook, Word, and Excel; strong general computer and database management skills.


• Has technology literacy and a willingness to learn about innovative technologies.


• Preferably has proficiency in viewing and understanding engineering drawings and 3D CAD models.


• Has the following skills & competencies:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.


• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.


• Effective time management, organizational, prioritization, and problem-solving abilities, especially in high-pressure or time-sensitive situations.


• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritize responsibilities efficiently.


• High attention to detail and strong analytical skills.


• Ability to work effectively with colleagues at all levels and contribute to a positive, collaborative team environment.


• Flexibility to respond calmly and effectively in stressful situations or rapidly changing circumstances.


• Reliable, punctual and capable of meeting deadlines under pressure.


• Ability to maintain confidentiality of organization.

The Physical Demands / Working Conditions are:

• Work is performed in both an office and manufacturing floor environment.


• May involve standing, walking, and occasional lifting (up to 30 lbs).


• Use of safety equipment and adherence to safety protocols is required.

What we offer you:

Typical pay is $62,000 - 84,493 annually.

Please note the pay information shown above is a general guideline. Pay is based upon candidate skills, experience, and qualifications.

This position is eligible for participation in our Quarterly Incentive Pay Program

G&W Electric offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance


• Short and Long-Term Disability


• Life Insurance


• Health club membership program and reimbursement


• Employee Assistance Program


• Tuition Reimbursement


• 401 (k)


• Annual Profit Sharing


• Vacation


• Air-conditioned/heated state-of-the-art manufacturing facility

About G&W Electric

Innovating since 1905, G&W Electric has grown into a global leader in engineered electrical power grid solutions. Working with us means joining a worldwide team of passionate manufacturing professionals striving to continually improve the technologies the world depends on to deliver safe, reliable electricity. Our culture is focused on employee success, so we foster an entrepreneurial environment that encourages everyone to thrive.

Learn more about our company by watching this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMtAhsdYeUQ

G&W Electric enjoys a long reputation for product quality, innovation and world-class customer service to the power industry. We have established this reputation by believing that our greatest asset is our employees. We owe our success to the initiative and talents of highly skilled individuals within our team-based organization. Our goal is to set the standard for customer satisfaction by ensuring a superior level of service, performance and innovation. As a global organization and industry leader, we are committed to cultivating an engaging work environment that embraces our core values and develops our talent. Our continuous focus on growth and innovation means that you become part of a company that provides challenging opportunities, rewards excellence and combines your individual expertise to achieve a higher level of shared success. As part of our organization, you also help power the world!

G&W Electric is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employees and applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. G&W Electric participates in the E-Verify process for all new hires.

*G&W Electric participates in the E-Verify process for all new hires.

VEVRAA Federal Contractor