Patent Attorney

Mettler-Toledo; Columbus (OH); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hours

Hybrid work model

Training opportunities

Vacation days (25+)

Free parking

Lunch on-site

Job summary

METTLER TOLEDO seeks a skilled Patent Attorney to join its global in‑house IP team in a hybrid role. You will manage patent filings from cradle to grant, perform prior art searches, and guide portfolio strategy in collaboration with engineers and product managers.

You will ensure freedom to operate for new products, prosecute applications worldwide with external firms, and help enforce IP rights while navigating international patent systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant technical field such as engineering, natural sciences, or life sciences.
• Registered Patent Agent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in patent prosecution, preferably in‑house or in a law firm setting.
• Familiarity with international patent systems, including PCT filings. Experience with EPO and Chinese practices is advantageous.
• Strong understanding of patent law and intellectual property management.

Responsibilities

• Ensure our new products have freedom to operate.
• Manage the patent application process for assigned business units from initial disclosure through grant
• Deliver cross‑functional patent support across multiple business units, proactively managing and prioritising diverse intellectual property responsibilities based on project stage and strategic milestones.
• With the support of our search team, conduct comprehensive analyses of the patent landscape to identify potential barriers and opportunities.
• Prepare, file, and prosecute patent applications across various jurisdictions in collaboration with external law firms.
• Collaborate closely with inventors and product teams to identify and evaluate patentable inventions.
• Draft and revise patent claims and support documentation for patent applications.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant patent laws and regulations throughout the application process.
• Monitor and manage deadlines for patent filings and office actions.
• Assist in developing and implementing patent strategies that align with business objectives
• Provide training and guidance to stakeholders to enhance understanding of patent processes, and intellectual property rights.
• Support enforcement cases collaboratively with members of the broader IP and legal team to ensure effective protection of intellectual property rights.

Skills

Patent prosecution

US patent law

Communication

Project management

Attention to detail

Cross-border IP

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or sciences

Registered Patent Agent with USPTO

Job description

Our Opening and Your Responsibilities

We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Patent Attorney to join our global in‑house IP team reporting to the head Global IP. You will play an important role in our global IP team, working alongside colleagues in Switzerland, India, and China. This is an exciting opportunity for a professional who has a strong background in intellectual property and is eager to contribute to the innovative work we do. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of patent law and its application within our industry, enabling them to provide invaluable support in protecting our intellectual property assets. You will be responsible for managing the patent application process from inception to grant, overseeing prior art searches, preparing and prosecuting patent applications, and ensuring freedom to operate for new products. As part of our global IP team, you will collaborate with engineers and product managers to identify and assess patentable inventions, ensure strong protection, and provide strategic guidance on patent portfolio management. Your contributions will play a critical role in safeguarding our company's innovations and enhancing our competitive advantage in the market. We are looking for a motivated individual who thrives in a fast‑paced environment and is passionate about driving innovation through intellectual property protection. If you are a proactive, organized, and analytical thinker, we encourage you to apply for this unique opportunity to contribute to our success as a Patent Agent in‑house.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure our new products have freedom to operate.
• Manage the patent application process for assigned business units from initial disclosure through grant
• Deliver cross‑functional patent support across multiple business units, proactively managing and prioritising diverse intellectual property responsibilities based on project stage and strategic milestones.
• With the support of our search team, conduct comprehensive analyses of the patent landscape to identify potential barriers and opportunities.
• Prepare, file, and prosecute patent applications across various jurisdictions in collaboration with external law firms.
• Collaborate closely with inventors and product teams to identify and evaluate patentable inventions.
• Draft and revise patent claims and support documentation for patent applications.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant patent laws and regulations throughout the application process.
• Monitor and manage deadlines for patent filings and office actions.
• Assist in developing and implementing patent strategies that align with business objectives
• Provide training and guidance to stakeholders to enhance understanding of patent processes, and intellectual property rights.
• Support enforcement cases collaboratively with members of the broader IP and legal team to ensure effective protection of intellectual property rights.

What You Need to Succeed

Education, Experience & Skills

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant technical field such as engineering, natural sciences, or life sciences.
• Registered Patent Agent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in patent prosecution, preferably in‑house or in a law firm setting
• Familiarity with international patent systems, including PCT filings. Experience with EPO and Chinese practices is advantageous.
• Strong understanding of patent law and intellectual property management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical information clearly.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse technical documentation and assess patentability.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage patent‑related deadlines and workflows with precision, ensuring timely filings and zero case lapses through diligent follow‑up with internal stakeholders and external vendors
• Highly organized with strong project management skills and attention to detail.
• Collaborate with a diverse international team to foster a culture of open communication and mutual respect.

Our Offer to You

• Flexible working hours (depending on the role), a hybrid work model, and a wide portfolio of training opportunities
• A 40-hour work week with at least 25 vacation days per year, plus 4 to 7 additional days off between bank holidays
• Free parking and direct access to public transport
• Healthy lunches cooked onsite at our own METTLER TOLEDO restaurant, with special prices for employees
• A range of additional attractive benefits, including employee discounts at select area businesses

You can expect challenging, interesting, and varied tasks in an innovative and international environment, with the opportunity to network globally and achieve your career goals.

Have we raised your interest? Then we look forward to receiving your complete application at our Job portal.

Please note that we do not accept any application documents via e‑mail, only applications submitted on our job platform due to our data protection guidelines. Furthermore, we do currently not accept applications from recruitment agencies for this role.

If you have any question, please do not hesitate to contact our Talent Acquisition Team [e-mail].

About Mettler Toledo

METTLER TOLEDO is a global leader in precision instruments and services. We are renowned for innovation and quality across laboratory, process analytics, industrial, product inspection, and retailing applications. Our sales and service network is one of the most extensive in the industry. Our products are sold in more than 140 countries, and we have a direct presence in approximately 40 countries. For more information, please visit www.mt.com.

Equal Opportunity Employment

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We give consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other protected classification. Please find more details in our Equal Employment Opportunity Policy.