Principal Technical Trainer

ASRC Federal; Alexandria (VA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care

401(k)

Education assistance

Paid time off

Job summary

ASRC Federal is seeking a Trainer II to support the USPTO Patent Training Academy and Technology Centers. The role requires extensive USPTO experience and senior subject‑matter expertise in patent examination, prosecution, and USPTO systems.

It involves delivering high‑level training and supporting advanced examination activities. The candidate must have previously worked for the USPTO and departed in good standing with Full Signatory Authority.

Qualifications

• Must have worked for the USPTO and departed in good standing with Full Signatory Authority.
• Experience as a Primary Patent Examiner, Supervisory Patent Examiner (SPE), or Quality Assurance Specialist within the past five years.
• Demonstrated independent legal and decision‑making authority to approve or reject patent applications without a secondary signature.
• Advanced expertise in intellectual property, patent examination, and patent prosecution processes.
• Knowledge of USPTO examination processes, tools, search tools, and case management systems.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high‑level USPTO‑standard training to new patent examiners.
• Provide formal and informal instruction for the Patent Training Academy and Technology Centers.
• Attend required USPTO training and maintain proficiency in examination policies and tools.
• Participate in trainer evaluations, observations, and quality assessments.
• Support patent examination activities when not teaching, including prior art searches and preparing draft Office Actions.

Skills

USPTO experience

Primary Patent Examiner

Independent decision making

Communication skills

Patent tools knowledge

Tools

USPTO examination tools

Job description

Posted Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 4:00 AM

ASRC Federal is a leading government contractor furthering missions in space, public health and defense. As an Alaska Native owned corporation, our work helps secure an enduring future for our shareholders. Join our team and discover why we are atop veteran employer and Certified Great Place to Work™

ASRC Federal is seeking a Trainer II to support the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Patent Training Academy (PTA) and Technology Centers (TCs). The Trainer II will provide formal and informal training to newly hired patent examiners and support advanced patent examination activities when not conducting training.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive USPTO experience and serve as a senior subject‑matter expert in patent examination, patent prosecution, and USPTO processes and systems. This position requires elevated independent judgment, advanced technical expertise, and full decision‑making authority consistent with USPTO standards. Individuals must have previously worked for the USPTO and departed in good standing with Full Signatory Authority.

Work location: 100% On-Site – USPTO Headquarters in Alexandria, VA

Responsibilities

• Deliver high‑level USPTO‑standard training to newly hired patent examiners through classroom, lecture, and Microsoft Teams environments.
• Provide formal and informal instruction in support of the Patent Training Academy and Technology Centers.
• Attend all required USPTO training and maintain strict proficiency in current examination policies, procedures, tools, and systems.
• Participate in ongoing trainer evaluations, observations, and quality assessments.
• Support patent examination activities when not serving as an instructor, including:
• Conducting prior art searches.
• Performing statutory reviews.
• Preparing draft Office Actions and other examination work products for Government review.
• Apply extensive subject‑matter expertise to support patent examination and training activities.
• Maintain flexibility to support assignments across the Patent Training Academy and Technology Centers as needed.
• Exercise independent judgment and decision‑making authority consistent with USPTO examination standards and procedures.

Basic Qualifications

• Must have previously worked for the USPTO and departed in good standing with Full Signatory Authority.
• Must have served as a Primary Patent Examiner, Supervisory Patent Examiner (SPE), or Quality Assurance Specialist within the past five years.
• Demonstrated independent legal and decision‑making authority to approve or reject patent applications without requiring a secondary signature.
• Advanced expertise in intellectual property, patent examination, and patent prosecution processes.
• Knowledge and experience equivalent to a Primary Patent Examiner with full signatory authority.
• Strong knowledge of USPTO examination processes, procedures, patent examination tools, search tools, and case management systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively explain complex technical and legal concepts to new patent examiners.

We invest in the lives of our employees, both in and out of the workplace, by providing competitive pay and benefits packages. Benefits offered may include health care, dental, vision, life insurance; 401(k); education assistance; paid time off including PTO, holidays, and any other paid leave required by law. The salary offered will depend on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, education, geographic location, internal equity, business needs, and other factors permitted by law. Posted pay ranges are a general guideline only and are not a guarantee of compensation or salary.

EEO Statement

ASRC Federal and its Subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, gender, color, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, religion, marital status, ancestry, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, or any other factor prohibited by applicable law.