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Entry Level Patent Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Foley & Lardner LLP

Legal Recruiting Coordinator

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$23.50 - $31.50/hr

Serve as a point of contact for summer associates, summer and entry-level patent engineer recruits, law student candidates, and entry-level associates throughout the recruiting cycle. * Build and ...

Foley & Lardner LLP

Legal Recruiting Coordinator

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$23.50 - $31.50/hr

Serve as a point of contact for summer associates, summer and entry-level patent engineer recruits, law student candidates, and entry-level associates throughout the recruiting cycle. * Build and ...

Haynes and Boone

File Clerk

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$18/hr

The File Clerk is an entry level position. One to two years of law firm experience preferred ... Most of our California-based lawyers have earned engineering or technical degrees in addition to ...

Haynes and Boone, LLP

File Clerk

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$18/hr

The File Clerk is an entry level position. One to two years of law firm experience preferred ... Most of our California-based lawyers have earned engineering or technical degrees in addition to ...

Haynes and Boone

File Clerk

Orange, CA · On-site

$18/hr

The File Clerk is an entry level position. One to two years of law firm experience preferred ... Most of our California-based lawyers have earned engineering or technical degrees in addition to ...

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All JobsPatent Engineer JobsEntry Level Patent Engineer JobsEntry Level Patent Engineer Jobs in California

Entry Level Patent Engineer information

What is an entry level patent engineer?

An Entry Level Patent Engineer is a professional who assists in the preparation, filing, and prosecution of patent applications, typically under the supervision of patent attorneys or agents. They use their technical background—often in engineering or a related field—to analyze inventions, conduct prior art searches, and help draft patent documents. This role is ideal for recent graduates who are interested in intellectual property law but may not yet be licensed patent agents or attorneys. Entry Level Patent Engineers work closely with inventors and legal teams to ensure inventions are accurately described and legally protected. Over time, they may pursue further qualifications to advance in the patent law field.

What is the difference between Entry Level Patent Engineer vs Patent Agent?

AspectEntry Level Patent EngineerPatent Agent
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering or science; some roles may require patent law courseworkJurisdiction-specific law degree; patent bar exam qualification
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, R&D departments, patent firms; focus on technical analysisLegal settings, patent law firms; focus on patent prosecution and legal processes
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, R&D organizations, patent firmsLaw firms, corporate legal departments, patent offices

While both roles involve patent processes, Entry Level Patent Engineers primarily focus on technical analysis and patent drafting, whereas Patent Agents handle legal filings and patent prosecution. The choice depends on whether you prefer a technical or legal career path within the patent industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level patent engineer?

To thrive as an Entry Level Patent Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering or a related technical field, strong analytical skills, and an understanding of intellectual property concepts. Familiarity with patent databases, prior art search tools, and drafting systems is typically required, and some positions may prefer candidates with a patent agent certification or relevant coursework. Attention to detail, strong written communication, and the ability to collaborate with inventors and attorneys are standout soft skills. These competencies ensure accurate patent documentation, effective communication, and the ability to support the innovation and legal protection process.

What are some typical challenges faced by entry level patent engineers when transitioning from academia to industry?

Entry level patent engineers often find the transition from academia to industry challenging due to the need to quickly grasp complex legal concepts and adapt to fast-paced project timelines. Unlike academic research, patent work requires concise technical communication, attention to legal details, and close collaboration with attorneys and inventors. Learning to draft patent applications that meet both technical and legal standards can be demanding, but on-the-job training and mentorship from experienced colleagues help bridge the gap. Over time, new patent engineers usually become adept at managing multiple projects and interacting with cross-functional teams.
What are the most commonly searched types of Patent Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Patent Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Patent Engineer jobs in California? For Entry Level Patent Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Patent Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Patent Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Entry Level Patent Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Entry Level Patent Engineer job openings:
Entry Level Patent Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Patent Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, and 10% Part Time. Highlights an 90% In-person, and 10% Hybrid job distribution.

Legal Recruiting Coordinator

Foley & Lardner LLP

San Diego, CA

$21.25 - $28.50/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

Overview

Foley & Lardner LLP is a great place to work because of what we do and how we do it. Here, your unique perspectives, experiences, and abilities will be embraced and developed, so you can excel. Being a part of Foley means having the opportunities and resources necessary to gain experience, advance professional goals, and forge meaningful connections. It's a place where you can build your career and enjoy professionally satisfying work. We have over 2,300 people who are #HappyatFoley, and we think you will be too.  

Foley & Lardner LLP is seeking a Legal Recruiting Coordinator to execute entry-level attorney recruiting and summer recruiting activities for the firm's California, Denver, and Salt Lake City offices. Reporting to the Legal Recruiting Manager, the Legal Recruiting Coordinator will also contribute to firmwide Intellectual Property entry-level recruiting efforts. This role is responsible for coordinating day-to-day recruiting operations, candidate and summer program experiences, and executing outreach initiatives that support the firm's entry-level legal recruiting goals. The Legal Recruiting Coordinator will regularly interact with candidates, attorneys, law school representatives, and serve as a proactive representative of the firm.

Responsibilities
  • Coordinate and execute law student interviewing programs, patent engineer job fairs, and recruiting outreach events.
  • Facilitate candidate interview scheduling and logistics, including communications and attorney coordination.
  • Support planning and administrative processes associated with the summer associate and summer patent engineer programs.
  • Serve as a point of contact for summer associates, summer and entry-level patent engineer recruits, law student candidates, and entry-level associates throughout the recruiting cycle.
  • Build and maintain strategic relationships with law schools, student organizations, and key recruiting contacts to enhance the firm's visibility and support recruiting initiatives.
  • Maintain accurate recruiting records, candidate files, and budget tracking to support recruiting and summer program operations.
  • Coordinate recruiting committee meetings, materials, and related processes for assigned offices.
  • Collaborate with and support the Legal Recruiting Manager and other members of the Legal Recruiting team on recruiting initiatives, projects, and strategic priorities, including firmwide entry-level Intellectual Property recruiting efforts.
  • Attend recruiting and summer program events as needed. 
Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree required.
  • Minimum of one (1) year of recruiting experience in a professional services industry required.
  • Law firm and event planning experience is strongly preferred.
  • Strong organizational, project management, and attention to detail skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with candidates, attorneys, and external stakeholders.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and viRecruit (or a comparable applicant tracking system) required.
  • Ability to travel occasionally and work extended hours during peak recruiting periods.

In support of transparency and equity in the workplace, Foley provides salary ranges for all positions. The figures below represent the full compensation range of this position. The actual offered amount will be between the range minimum and midpoint based on the following factors: education, experience, geographic market, and internal pay equity at Foley.  We are accepting ongoing applications.   Foley & Lardner LLP will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with California's Fair Chance Act.

Salt Lake City - $58,100 to $81,300

Denver and San Diego - $63,900 to $89,400

Los Angeles - $66,800 to $93,500

Silicon Valley - $72,600 to $101,600

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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