Patent Agent - Mechanical & Electrical (3–5 yrs)

Barnes-&-Thornburg-LL; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Barnes & Thornburg LLP in Raleigh seeks a Patent Agent with 3–5 years of experience. The ideal candidate will have a mechanical engineering background with electrical drafting experience and familiarity with wireless device hardware. This role offers the chance to work on cutting-edge consumer electronics projects within a collaborative, high-performing IP team.

You will prepare and prosecute U.S. and international patent applications, draft specifications and claims, conduct prior art searches,

Qualifications

• Registration in good standing before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
• 3–5 years of patent prosecution experience, preferably at a large law firm or boutique IP firm
• Demonstrated experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications in both mechanical and electrical engineering subject matter
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage a substantial docket and meet competing deadlines
• Detail-oriented with a commitment to producing high-quality work product

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

Communication skills

Docket management

Attention to detail

Patent drafting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Barnes & Thornburg LLP in Raleigh seeks a Patent Agent with 3–5 years of experience. The ideal candidate will have a mechanical engineering background with electrical drafting experience and familiarity with wireless device hardware. This role offers the chance to work on cutting-edge consumer electronics projects within a collaborative, high-performing IP team.

You will prepare and prosecute U.S. and international patent applications, draft specifications and claims, conduct prior art searches,