PATENT AGENT ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING & COMPUTER SCIENCE

Software Placement Group; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus opportunities

Comprehensive benefits package

401(k) retirement savings plan

Paid time off

Parental leave

Wellness initiatives

Job summary

A prestigious AmLaw 100 law firm is seeking a Patent Agent to join its Electrical Engineering & Computer Science Patent Prosecution Practice Group. This role involves working with innovative companies and sophisticated patent portfolios across AI, software, telecommunications, and hardware platforms.

You will prepare and prosecute patent applications before the USPTO, collaborate with inventors and clients, and contribute to portfolio strategy and international matters.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or related field.
• Admission to practice before the USPTO is required.
• 2+ years of patent preparation and prosecution experience.
• Strong technical aptitude to understand and communicate complex innovations.
• Experience drafting/prosecuting in electrical, software, or computer technologies.
• Familiarity with ML/AI, telecommunications, autonomous systems, cybersecurity, hardware security.
• Excellent technical writing, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to work with inventors, engineers, researchers, and in-house IP teams.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, file, and prosecute patent applications before the USPTO.
• Work closely with inventors and clients to identify and protect valuable IP.
• Draft patent applications involving electrical, software, communications, and computer technologies.
• Analyze inventions and develop strategic patent protection recommendations.
• Conduct patentability assessments and support portfolio development.
• Assist with IP strategy and portfolio management initiatives.
• Collaborate with attorneys and technical professionals on domestic and international matters.

Skills

Technical writing

Analytical ability

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Patent strategy understanding

Education

Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in Electrical Engineering or related

Job description

Location: San Francisco, CA (additional offices in Los Angeles, CA; Denver, CO; Atlanta, GA; Houston, TX; St. Louis, MO; and Kansas City, MO) | Schedule: Full-time, Hybrid | Compensation: $140,000 - $250,000 annually

Overview

A prestigious AmLaw 100 law firm is seeking a Patent Agent to join its Electrical Engineering & Computer Science Patent Prosecution Practice Group. This is an opportunity to work with innovative companies, emerging technologies, and sophisticated patent portfolios alongside a nationally recognized intellectual property team, helping clients protect advancements in areas such as artificial intelligence, telecommunications, autonomous systems, software, cybersecurity, and next-generation hardware platforms.

What you'll do

• Prepare, file, and prosecute patent applications before the USPTO
• Work closely with inventors and clients to identify and protect valuable intellectual property
• Draft patent applications involving complex electrical, software, communications, and computer technologies
• Analyze inventions and develop strategic patent protection recommendations
• Conduct patentability assessments and support broader patent portfolio development efforts
• Assist with intellectual property strategy and portfolio management initiatives
• Collaborate with attorneys and technical professionals on sophisticated domestic and international patent matters

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related technical discipline
• Admission to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) required
• 2+ years of patent preparation and prosecution experience
• Strong technical aptitude with the ability to quickly understand and communicate complex innovations
• Background drafting and prosecuting patent applications in electrical engineering, software, or computer-related technologies
• Familiarity with emerging technologies such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, telecommunications, autonomous systems, cybersecurity, and hardware security solutions
• Excellent technical writing, analytical, and communication skills
• Ability to work directly with inventors, engineers, researchers, and in-house intellectual property teams
• Strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and exceptional organizational skills

Preferred qualifications

• Prior law firm, engineering, research, or industry experience preferred
• Familiarity with Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Neural Networks
• Familiarity with Telecommunications, including 5G, 6G, and related technologies
• Familiarity with Autonomous Driving and Intelligent Transportation Systems
• Familiarity with Radio Frequency (RF) Circuitry
• Familiarity with Hardware Security and Communications Security
• Familiarity with Encryption and Decryption Technologies
• Familiarity with Software and Computer-Implemented Inventions

Compensation and benefits

• Competitive salary: $140,000 - $250,000 annually, commensurate with experience, technical background, and qualifications
• Eligible for discretionary performance-based bonus opportunities based on individual and firm performance
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Paid time off and parental leave
• Healthcare spending accounts and additional wellness and financial benefits
• Professional development resources, employee assistance programs, and wellness initiatives

Why this role

This is an opportunity to join a highly regarded intellectual property practice that advises innovative companies across a broad spectrum of technologies, offering meaningful client interaction, sophisticated technical work, and the chance to develop deep subject‑matter expertise in rapidly evolving industries.