Strategic Patent Agent – Mechanical & Automation

Rite-Hite Company; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Well-being benefits

401(k) with profit sharing

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

Rite-Hite seeks a Patent Agent to join our legal team in Milwaukee. You will support our IP function by growing and protecting the company's patents and designs, collaborating with inventors and engineers to align with business goals.

The role emphasizes prosecution strategy, patent searches, and coordinating with outside counsel on U.S. and international filings across mechanical, automation, and related technologies.

Qualifications

• Registered to practice before the USPTO.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering or science.
• Minimum of 6 years of patent experience in a corporate legal department or IP law firm.
• Expert knowledge of U.S. and international patent filing, prosecution, and maintenance requirements.
• Strong experience with patent searching, drafting, and prosecution.
• Ability to work across a wide range of technologies.
• Detail-oriented and analytical with strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to partner with legal, technical, and business teams.

Responsibilities

• Utilize patent expertise to implement prosecution strategies aligned with business goals.
• Support and drive IP strategy, collaborating with inventors, engineers, and stakeholders.
• Monitor and analyze patent trends and technology developments relevant to the business.
• Conduct ideation and patent harvesting to identify invention disclosures.
• Direct patent search and analysis for freedom-to-operate, patentability, partnerships, and competition.
• Partner with outside counsel to prepare and prosecute patent applications in the U.S. and abroad, focusing on mechanical, automation, controls, and related tech.
• Support training and awareness initiatives to enhance patent culture across the company.
• Assist IP enforcement matters with technical expertise and patent analysis.
• Provide cross-functional support in intercompany agreements, licensing, and ownership.

Skills

Patent prosecution

Patent searching

Drafting patents

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical versatility

Detail-oriented

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or science

Job description

Rite-Hite seeks a Patent Agent to join our legal team in Milwaukee. You will support our IP function by growing and protecting the company's patents and designs, collaborating with inventors and engineers to align with business goals.

The role emphasizes prosecution strategy, patent searches, and coordinating with outside counsel on U.S. and international filings across mechanical, automation, and related technologies.