Patent Portfolio Manager

Apple Inc.; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 205,000 - 308,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Apple Inc. in Cupertino seeks a Patent Agent or Patent Attorney to help develop and curate the company’s hardware and mechanical patent portfolio.

You will work with the mechanical engineering and design groups, as well as business teams to build and purposefully prosecute the associated worldwide patent portfolio and strategy. This role involves identifying patentable inventions, providing expert technical and legal analysis, and supporting patent transactions, licensing, and litigation

Qualifications

• USPTO Registered Patent Agent or Patent Attorney.
• BS or higher degree in mechanical engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of patent-focused work experience drafting and prosecuting patent assets, managing portfolios, developing patent strategies, conducting patent analysis, and providing support for transactions and litigation efforts.
• 3+ years of work experience patenting primarily mechanical related technologies at a law firm and/or in-house legal department.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.

Responsibilities

• Develop and curate the hardware and mechanical patent portfolio; prosecute patents worldwide.
• Collaborate with mechanical engineering, design, and business teams to identify patentable inventions and strategic assets.
• Provide technical and legal analysis, guide patent transactions and licensing matters, and coordinate work with outside law firms.

Skills

Excellent verbal and written comms

Education

BS or higher in mechanical engineering or related field

Job description

Cupertino, California, United States Corporate Functions

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of quickly becoming great products, services, and customer experiences. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish.Do you enjoy taking on bold new challenges? Do you possess a deep knowledge of the legal field and a passion for innovation? We uphold Apple’s high ethical and corporate standards, and defend Apple’s intellectual property. You’ll provide legal support for our world-class products. Working for a company that invents new product categories and creates new industries means you’ll be challenged to creatively apply your extensive legal expertise to rare and often unexplored aspects of the law.

Description

We seek to hire a Patent Agent or Patent Attorney to assist in developing and curating the company’s hardware and mechanical patent portfolio. You will work with the mechanical engineering and design groups, as well as business teams to build and purposefully prosecute the associated worldwide patent portfolio and strategy. This includes identifying patentable inventions; securing high-quality, strategic patent assets; providing expert technical and legal analysis; handling patent challenges; providing guidance in support of patent transactions and licensing matters; assigning and managing work performed by outside law firms; and working with engineering and other business organizations to understand priorities and challenges. This position also will provide cross-functional support for acquisition due diligence, IP licensing, enforcement, and litigation activities.

Minimum Qualifications

• USPTO Registered Patent Agent or Patent Attorney.
• BS or higher degree in mechanical engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of patent-focused work experience drafting and prosecuting patent assets, managing portfolios, developing patent strategies, conducting patent analysis, and providing support for transactions and litigation efforts.
• 3+ years of work experience patenting primarily mechanical related technologies at a law firm and/or in-house legal department.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred candidates will appreciate how mechanical structures integrate with product design and interface with electrical components, including, for example, haptic engines, sensor packaging, acoustic chambers, etc.
• Strong technology interest with a curiosity for working with AI tools in patent prosecution related tasks and strategies.
• Experience analyzing a variety of mechanical related disciplines, (product design, kinematics, thermal management, material sciences, advanced manufacturing processes).

At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $204,700 and $307,700, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits

Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant

At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.

Learn about accessibility in Apple’s workplace

Learn about reasonable accommodations for job applicants