Patent Agent

ZF; Northville (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

ZF is seeking a US Patent Agent in Northville, MI to manage invention disclosures and support in-house US patent drafting and prosecution. You will work with engineering teams and coordinate with IP counsel across regions to protect intellectual property assets.

The role requires technical background in electrical/electronics or related fields, and USPTO bar eligibility or admission, with several years of experience in electronics-based technology and IP work.

Qualifications

• Technical degree in electrical/electronics/related field required or equivalent.
• USPTO patent bar admission or eligible to sit for the patent bar.
• 2+ years of experience in engineering or IP field in electronics-based technology, automotive experience valued.
• Experience filing patent applications and prosecution before USPTO.

Responsibilities

• Manage invention disclosure process and coordinate with internal clients on inventions.
• Prepare and prosecute US patent applications and filings.
• Provide IP policy guidance to Engineering teams.
• Conduct patent searches to assess patentability of inventions.
• Collaborate with global IP teams and other business units.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Multitasking

Education

Electrical/Electronics/Physics/Related field degree

USPTO patent bar admission or eligible

Job description

Patent Agent

Country/Region: US

Location:

Northville, MI, US

Req ID 90675 | Northville, United States ZF Active Safety US Inc.

Job Description

About the team:

The US Patent Agent will collaborate with European and Asian IP Counsel and will provide daily operation oversight in managing current and future intellectual property to develop and implement overall directives. Particular aspects of this role will be US portfolio management, inhouse US patent drafting and patent prosecution, and publication review. The US Patent Agent will be an integral working partner with the company's global business units and product development organizations, handling intellectual property assets and collaborating with intellectual property teams thereby supporting many of the ZF divisions.

What you can look forward to as a US Patent Agent:

• This position will report to a ZF Lead US Counsel and will hold responsibility for certain facets of the intellectual property in-house practice

• Manage invention disclosure process and work closely with internal clients on all matters relating to inventions.

• Internal preparation of patent applications and patent prosecution matters in the US.

• Provide expertise to Engineering teams relating intellectual property policies, procedures and topics.

• Conduct patent searches for assessing patentability of inventions.

Your profile as a US Patent Agent:

• Technical degree in electrical, electronics, computer engineering, physics, electro-mechanical or related field

• USPTO patent bar admission or fully eligible to sit for the USPTO patent bar

• 2+ years of experience in working in engineering and/or the intellectual property field in the area of electronics-based technology including automotive experience in the field valued.

• Electrical engineering, computer science, mathematics or physics background valued.

• Expertise in filing patent applications and related prosecution filings with the USPTO.

• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish effective working relationships with engineers, and colleagues within the intellectual property teams and ability to work effectively in an international multi-cultural environment.

• Hard working, well organized, able to manage numerous projects simultaneously under deadline pressure, and experience managing and completing complex projects in a demanding environment.

• Excellent oral and written communication and negotiation skills required.

• Must possess commitment to professionalism, integrity, and collegiality.

• Ability to multi-task and accomplish tight deadlines in a team environment

DIVERSITY COMMITMENT:

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are more than just words for us. They are at the core of the ZF Way that propels our team members towards their utmost success. We strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is a natural reflex. We actively seek ways to remove barriers so that every member of ZF can rise to their full potential. We aim to embed this in our legacy through how we operate and build our products as we shape next generation mobility, safety, sustainability and social justice.

With four generations across 118 nationalities in 41 countries, ZF combines a unique variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and ideas. Together, we solve problems, drive innovation and shape next generation mobility.

Our company is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with us and is in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please contact us. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. ZF is an Equal Opportunity and Aff…

What does DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) mean for ZF as a company?

At ZF, we continuously strive to build and maintain a culture where inclusiveness is lived and diversity is valued. We actively seek ways to remove barriers so that all our employees can rise to their full potential. We aim to embed this vision in our legacy through how we operate and build our products as we shape the future of mobility.

Find out how we work at ZF: