Technical Advisor/Patent Agent

A law firm seeks a Patent Agent or Technical Advisor with expertise in drafting and prosecuting patent applications within the electrical or software engineering fields. The role involves providing support to the firm’s intellectual property practice, specializing in securing patents for advanced technologies. The ideal candidate will have a technical background in electrical or computer engineering, fluency in Japanese, and experience in handling patent applications related to software and artificial intelligence (AI). This position offers professional growth, in-house training, and a dynamic career trajectory.

Duties:

• Draft patent applications for cutting-edge technologies in electrical engineering, software, and AI.
• Prepare responses to office actions and manage communications with the patent office.
• Participate in invention disclosure meetings with clients to identify patentable ideas.
• Conduct patent prosecution activities, ensuring compliance with U.S. and international patent laws.
• Collaborate with attorneys and clients to develop strategic intellectual property portfolios.
• Provide technical expertise in assessing the viability of patent protection for complex inventions.

Requirements:

• A minimum of 1-2 years of experience in patent application drafting or prosecution.
• Proficiency in Japanese is highly preferred due to the client base and technical collaborations.
• Technical background in electrical or computer engineering.
• Experience with patent applications involving software and AI technologies.
• Superior writing, analytical, and communication skills for drafting applications and interacting with clients.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field is required.
• A Master’s or Doctorate degree in a relevant technical field is preferred.

Certifications:

• Registration with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is required or must be eligible for registration.

Skills:

• Strong technical knowledge in electrical engineering and software.
• Ability to draft and prosecute patent applications with minimal supervision.
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Attention to detail in analyzing complex technical concepts and drafting comprehensive patent documents.
• Ability to communicate complex technical ideas effectively to non-technical audiences.

Location: This position is based in Alexandria, VA.

Benefits:

• Competitive benefits package, including 401(k) plan with matching, medical insurance with prescription coverage, HSA, FSA, dental and vision insurance, EAP, and life insurance.
• Long-term care insurance, short-term disability (STD), long-term disability (LTD), individual disability income protection, critical illness, accident, pet, and legal insurance.
• Onsite parking and substantial opportunities for career development within a prestigious firm.

This is an excellent opportunity to advance your career in intellectual property law while working on high-impact technologies in a collaborative and supportive environment.

This mid-sized Virginia office is one of the largest firms in the United States specializing exclusively in intellectual property law. Specialties of the firm include, but are not limited to, interference law, chemical/biotech patent law, electrical/mechanical patent law, software patent law, copyright law, and trademark law. They represent domestic and international clients, including multinational corporations, foreign and United States government agencies, universities, and businesses of every size. Attorneys enjoy a friendly work environment and receive nice salaries.