Patent Attorney

Schaeffler; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 140,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

401(k) matching up to 6%

Schaeffler Academy

Wellness programs

Job summary

Schaeffler is seeking a skilled Intellectual Property attorney to join its Americas team, supporting US filings, international strategies, and collaboration with engineers and business leaders to maximize value of innovations.

The role requires J.D., USPTO registration, and 2–8+ years of patent prosecution experience, with strong communication skills and global portfolio management. You will work with outside counsel and AI tools to safeguard mobility, industrial and manufacturing technologies.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school is required.
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. state is required.
• Registered to practice before the USPTO.
• 2–8+ years of experience preparing and prosecuting patent applications in-house or in a law firm.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, file, and prosecute U.S. and international patent applications.
• Manage outside counsel to ensure high-quality work aligned with patent strategies.
• Coordinate global filing strategies and portfolio development with teams across Europe, China and Asia Pacific.
• Identify and protect valuable innovations with inventors and engineers.
• Review disclosures and assess patentability, novelty, and strategic value.
• Conduct patent landscape and freedom-to-operate analyses.
• Provide IP counsel to engineering and business teams; support licensing and enforcement.

Skills

Communication skills

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree

Tools

USPTO registration

Bar admission (US state)

Job description

Schaeffler is a dynamic global technology company and its success has been a result of its entrepreneurial spirit and long history of private ownership. As a partner to all of the major automobile manufacturers, as well as key players in the aerospace and industrial sectors, we offer you many development opportunities.

About the Role:

The successful candidate will serve as a key member of Schaeffler’s Americas (United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, etc.) Intellectual Property team, partnering with engineers, researchers, and business leaders to identify, protect, and maximize the value of the company’s innovations. The attorney will work closely with patent colleagues across Europe, China, and the broader Asia/Pacific region to coordinate global patent strategies, support international patent filings, and ensure consistent protection of Schaeffler’s intellectual property worldwide.

This role is responsible for preparing, filing, and prosecuting U.S. patent applications, managing a strategic patent portfolio, and providing practical intellectual property counsel in support of Schaeffler’s mobility, industrial, and manufacturing technologies. The ideal candidate is a collaborative, business-oriented patent professional who is comfortable leveraging advanced AI-enabled tools to drive and protect innovation and enhance intellectual property operations.

What You Will Do:

Prepare, file, and prosecute U.S. and international patent applications.

• Prepare, file, and prosecute national phase applications claiming priority to foreign-filed patent applications and Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications entering the United States.
• Manage and supervise U.S. outside counsel in the preparation, filing, and prosecution of U.S. patent applications to ensure high-quality work product, cost efficiency, and alignment with Schaeffler patent/business strategies.
• Work closely with Schaeffler patent attorneys and intellectual property professionals across Europe, China and the broader Asia Pacific region to coordinate global patent filing strategies, prosecution activities, freedom-to-operate analyses, portfolio development, and intellectual property risk management.
• Work closely with inventors, engineers, and business stakeholders to identify and protect valuable innovations.
• Review invention disclosures and assess patentability, novelty, and strategic value.
• Coordinate and conduct patent decision committees (PDCs) in conjunction with engineering leaders to assess viability and filing decisions of invention disclosure submissions.
• Conduct and supervise patentability, freedom-to-operate, and patent landscape analyses.
• Manage patent portfolios supporting strategic business initiatives and emerging technologies.
• Provide IP counseling to engineering and business teams.
• Support IP agreements, risk assessments, and licensing activities as needed.
• Support IP enforcement activities and defense of third-party infringement lawsuits.
• Engage and successfully master proprietary Schaeffler Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools to prepare and prosecute U.S. patent applications, perform Freedom to Operate investigations, and guide due diligence activities.
• Deliver IP training and guidance to engineering and technical teams.

Your Qualifications:

Required:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. state.
• Registered to practice before the USPTO.
• 2-8+ years of experience preparing and prosecuting patent applications in an in‑house or law firm setting, or a combination of both.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Technical Background:

• Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related disciplines. Preference given to candidates with demonstrated history in preparing and prosecuting electronics, software, and mechanical patent applications.

Additional Preferred Experience:

• Global Patent portfolio management.
• Freedom-to-operate analyses.
• Experience managing outside counsel and directing patent prosecution activities.
• Experience with mobility, industrial automation, robotics/humanoid, software systems, AI, automotive, or electrification technologies.

At Schaeffler, our success is driven by our employees. We value what you bring to our business, which is why we are committed to providing you with a competitive, comprehensive benefits program that gives you and your family the care you need to lead healthy, productive lives. This includes amongst others the following:

• Comprehensive healthcare coverage: Employees receive access to a range of medical, dental, and vision insurance plans, ensuring their well‑being and peace of mind.
• Generous retirement savings options: The company provides competitive 401(k) matching contributions (up to 6%), empowering employees to build a secure financial future.
• Professional development opportunities: The company invests in its employees' growth by offering skill development workshops, and ongoing learning and developmentprograms. Through our Schaeffler Academy you will have access to a state‑of‑the‑art and comprehensive learning and training offering.
• Wellness initiatives: Employees have access to wellness programs and resources aimed at promoting physical, mental, and emotional health, fostering a supportive and thriving work environment.

See all of our benefit offerings at https://schaefflerbenefits.com/

As a global company with employees around the world, it is important to us that we treat each other with respect and value all ideas and perspectives. By appreciating our differences, we inspire creativity and drive innovation. In this way, we contribute to sustainable value creation for our stakeholders and society as a whole. Together, we advance how the world moves.

Exciting assignments and outstanding development opportunities await you because we impact the future with innovation. We look forward to your application.

Schaeffler is an equal employment opportunity / affirmative action employer. All qualified candidates will receive equal employment opportunities and consideration for employment without regard to unlawful consideration of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

www.schaeffler.com/careers