IP Patent Prosecution Associate (Mechanical/Electrical)

barnes; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Barnes & Thornburg’s nationally recognized IP practice seeks an associate in Indianapolis with 2-4 years of patent prosecution experience. The ideal candidate has mechanical engineering background with electrical drafting familiarity and a keen interest in wireless device hardware including smartphones, tablets, and wearables.

Join a collaborative team handling U.S. and international patent filings, prior art searches, and patentability analyses, while engaging in due diligence, post‑grant

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of patent prosecution experience at a law firm or boutique IP firm.
• Strong drafting, analyzing, and patentability assessment skills.
• Ability to manage multiple prosecutions and deadlines.
• Familiarity with wireless device hardware is a plus

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 experience

Drafting patent specifications and

Docket management

Technical drafting ability

Communication skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school

Registration in good standing before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Bar admission in Indiana or eligibility

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Job description

Barnes & Thornburg’s nationally recognized IP practice seeks an associate in Indianapolis with 2-4 years of patent prosecution experience. The ideal candidate has mechanical engineering background with electrical drafting familiarity and a keen interest in wireless device hardware including smartphones, tablets, and wearables.

Join a collaborative team handling U.S. and international patent filings, prior art searches, and patentability analyses, while engaging in due diligence, post‑grant