Patent Prosecution Science Advisor/Patent Agent

Goodwin Procter LLP; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

Goodwin Procter LLP in San Francisco is seeking a Science Advisor/Patent Agent to join their Technology business unit and Intellectual Property Transactions & Strategies group. The ideal candidate will be responsible for drafting patent applications and performing prior art searches while collaborating with clients and attorneys.

Applicants should have a strong academic background, familiarity with patent law, and eligibility for the USPTO examination. The salary range for this position is between $145,000 and $155,000.

Qualifications

• Strong academic credentials with demonstrated technical writing and communication skills.
• Familiarity with US and international patent law principles, especially in life sciences and biotech.
• Eligibility to sit for the USPTO registration examination.

Responsibilities

• Draft patent applications and prepare specifications and claims.
• Perform prior art searches and freedom-to-operate analyses.
• Assess inventions for patentability, validity, and infringement risks.
• Support IP due diligence efforts for mergers and acquisitions.
• Conduct competitive intelligence analyses for IP strategy.
• Advise on patent portfolio development and management.
• Manage daily needs of a client’s patent portfolio.
• Collaborate with attorneys to align IP strategies.

Skills

Technical writing

Communication skills

Familiarity with patent law

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, or electrical engineering

Job description

Goodwin Procter seeks a Science Advisor/Patent Agent to join our Technology business unit and Intellectual Property Transactions & Strategies group.

Responsibilities

• Drafting patent applications, including preparing detailed specifications and claims in coordination with inventors and in-house counsel.
• Performing comprehensive prior art searches and freedom-to-operate (FTO) analyses to support product development and risk mitigation strategies.
• Assessing scientific inventions and complex technologies to evaluate patentability, validity, and potential infringement risks.
• Supporting IP due diligence efforts in connection with mergers, acquisitions, investments, and licensing transactions.
• Conducting IP landscape and competitive intelligence analyses to inform client R&D, IP strategy, and business planning.
• Advising clients on patent portfolio development and management, including prosecution strategies and global filing approaches.
• Managing the day-to-day needs of a client’s patent portfolio, including preparing responses to offices’ actions under the supervision of senior science advisors/associates in coordination with in-house counsel.
• Collaborating closely with attorneys and clients to align IP strategies with business objectives.

Qualifications

• Strong academic credentials and demonstrated technical writing and communication skills.
• Familiarity with US and international patent law principles, particularly in the life sciences and biotech domains.
• Eligibility to sit for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) registration examination if not already registered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in one of the following fields: computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, or electrical engineering.
• Prior law firm or in‑house IP experience, particularly involving patent preparation and prosecution.
• Admission to practice before the USPTO is strongly preferred.
• A proactive, detail-oriented approach with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Salary

Target Salary Range: $145,000 - $155,000