Patent Agent

SankerIP; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity path

Job summary

SankerIP in San Jose, CA seeks an experienced patent professional to drive prosecution and strategy across AI, software, and cybersecurity domains. You will shape portfolio strategy, mentor teams, and engage founders and in-house counsel.

The role offers an accelerated path toward equity, direct client contact, and the chance to influence a growing IP practice without a rigid lockstep track.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of dedicated U.S. patent prosecution experience.
• Active registration to practice before the USPTO.
• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• Experience drafting and prosecuting patents in software, AI/ML, or related tech.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and prosecute U.S. and international patent applications across AI/ML, software, semiconductor, and cybersecurity domains.
• Develop claim strategies and draft applications and responses to Office Actions.
• Conduct examiner interviews and handle appeals and PTAB matters.
• Perform and evaluate patentability and Freedom-to-Operate searches.
• Lead disclosure meetings with founders and engineers to translate concepts into portfolio strategy.
• Oversee client portfolios and contribute to firm leadership initiatives.

Skills

3+ years US patent prosecution

Strong technical writing

Client management

Education

Master's in Electrical Engineering / Computer Science

J.D. in IP law (preferred)

Tools

USPTO registration

Office Action drafting

FTO analysis

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

** A Different Growth Model**

SankerIP is intentionally building a different type of IP practice. We do not believe advancement should depend primarily on institutional seniority or a rigid, multi-year lockstep track. Strong performers can take on increasing responsibility in client management, technical and legal strategy, mentorship, practice development, business development, and firm leadership. For the right individual, this creates an accelerated and uncapped path toward equity and leadership.

** Primary Responsibilities**

• ** Patent Prosecution & Strategy: Prepare and prosecute U.S. and international patent applications across AI/ML, software, semiconductor, and cybersecurity domains. Develop sophisticated claim strategies and independently draft applications and responses to complex Office Actions.


• ** Examiner & Board Practice: Conduct examiner interviews and handle appeals and PTAB matters as appropriate.


• ** Analysis & Searching: Perform and evaluate patentability and Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) searches.


• ** Inventor Engagement: Lead disclosure meetings with founders, executives, engineers, and technical teams to extract patentable innovations and translate complex technical concepts into portfolio strategy.


• ** Client Management: Oversee sophisticated client portfolios with increasing autonomy and serve as a direct point of contact for strategic advisory.


• ** Mentorship & Practice Growth: Mentor junior technical staff and contribute to strategic firm growth, client development, and leadership initiatives.

** Required Qualifications**

• ** Experience: 3+ years of dedicated U.S. patent prosecution experience.


• ** Licensure: Active registration to practice before the USPTO.


• ** Education: Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field.


• ** Technical Focus: Demonstrated experience drafting and prosecuting patents in software, AI/ML, or other emerging technology sectors.


• ** Skills: Excellent technical writing, analytical reasoning, communication, and the ability to manage matters independently.

** Preferred Qualifications**

• ** Advanced Degree: Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline.


• ** Specialized Experience: Hands-on experience with AI/ML architectures, complex Office Actions, PTAB matters, or FTO analysis.


• ** Strategic Exposure: Background working directly with technical founders, in-house counsel, and managing enterprise patent portfolios.


• ** Leadership Interest: Enthusiasm for mentorship, practice growth, and client business development.

** You will thrive here if you:**

• Seek greater ownership over high-stakes, sophisticated technical matters without rigid BigLaw bureaucracy.


• Possess strong technical curiosity and can engage credibly with senior engineers and founders.


• Are comfortable making decisions independently and desire a direct, accelerated track toward equity and practice leadership.

_ This position is not suited for individuals seeking a narrowly defined, highly structured traditional lockstep track._

_ SankerIP is an equal opportunity employer._

Company Description

Firm Overview
SankerIP is a specialized intellectual property boutique focused on high-stakes patent prosecution and IP strategy for complex technologies, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, software, semiconductor devices, and cybersecurity. We provide clients with sophisticated, litigation-ready patent portfolios without the bureaucracy and overhead of traditional BigLaw.
Recognized in IAM Strategy 300 (2026) and ranked by Chambers (2025–2026) for AI and IP, the firm’s founder is a former Morgan Lewis partner with nearly two decades of BigLaw experience (Ph.D. in Mathematics, J.D. from UC Berkeley). Strong performers at SankerIP enjoy direct access to mentorship, accelerated career growth, and an uncapped path toward equity and firm leadership.

Company Description

Firm OverviewSankerIP is a specialized intellectual property boutique focused on high-stakes patent prosecution and IP strategy for complex technologies, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, software, semiconductor devices, and cybersecurity. We provide clients with sophisticated, litigation-ready patent portfolios without the bureaucracy and overhead of traditional BigLaw.Recognized in IAM Strategy 300 (2026) and ranked by Chambers (2025–2026) for AI and IP, the firm’s founder is a former Morgan Lewis partner with nearly two decades of BigLaw experience (Ph.D. in Mathematics, J.D. from UC Berkeley). Strong performers at SankerIP enjoy direct access to mentorship, accelerated career growth, and an uncapped path toward equity and firm leadership.