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Entry Level Patent Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Acuity Brands, Inc.

Illumination Engineer Lead

Wheat Ridge, CO · On-site

$108K - $143K/yr

Open to considering candidates at the following skill levels: * Entry Level: Contributes to optical ... Document innovations and support patent development efforts. Support Broader Product Development ...

Acuity Brands

Illumination Engineer Lead

Wheat Ridge, CO

$108K - $143K/yr

Open to considering candidates at the following skill levels: * Entry Level: Contributes to optical ... Document innovations and support patent development efforts. Support Broader Product Development ...

Cleaveland/Price Inc.

Fabricator (Entry-Level)

Trafford, PA · On-site

$18 - $23.50/hr

The products that we offer are unique in design, and some include patented features. Products have ... The facility houses virtually all resources for product realization, including engineering, supply ...

Firefly Aerospace

Fluids Launch Engineer I

Lompoc, CA · On-site

We utilize carbon composite structures, patented propulsion technologies, and common components ... This is an entry level position that will assist the senior fluids engineers in the operation ...

Cleaveland/Price Inc

Fabricator (Entry-Level)

Trafford, PA · On-site

$18 - $23.50/hr

The products that we offer are unique in design, and some include patented features. Products have ... The facility houses virtually all resources for product realization, including engineering, supply ...

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All JobsEntry Level Patent Engineer Jobs

Entry Level Patent Engineer information

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$42K

$96K

$149K

How much do entry level patent engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level patent engineer in the United States is $96,000.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,000.00 and $117,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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, and why are they important?

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.
More about Entry Level Patent Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Entry Level Patent Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Patent Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Patent Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Patent Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Entry Level Patent Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level Patent Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Patent Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Patent Engineer jobs are:
Entry Level Patent Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Patent Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 98% Full Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,000 per year, or $46.2 per hour.
Illumination Engineer Lead

Illumination Engineer Lead

Acuity Brands, Inc.

Wheat Ridge, CO • On-site

$108K - $143K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 29 days ago

Acuity Brands rating

4.5

Company rating: 4.5 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

138th of 139 rated electronics manufacturers

Job description

Acuity Inc. (NYSE: AYI) is a market-leading industrial technology company. We use technology to solve problems in spaces, light and more things to come. Through our two business segments, Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL) and Acuity Intelligent Spaces (AIS), we design, manufacture, and bring to market products and services that make a valuable difference in people's lives.
We achieve growth through the development of innovative new products and services, including lighting, lighting controls, building management solutions, and an audio, video and control platform. We focus on customer outcomes and drive growth and productivity to increase market share and deliver superior returns. We look to aggressively deploy capital to grow the business and to enter attractive new verticals.
Acuity Inc. is based in Atlanta, Georgia, with operations across North America, Europe and Asia. The Company is powered by approximately 13,000 dedicated and talented associates. Visit us at www.acuityinc.com.
Work location:
  • This position requires on-site presence in Wheat Ridge, CO, following a hybrid work model.

Job Summary
The Illumination Engineer is a core contributor to the Nexus team, Acuity Brands' lighting innovation group. This role focuses on early-stage illumination concepts, optical system design, and photometric analysis to translate customer problems and emerging trends into differentiated lighting solutions.
Operating at the front end of the product lifecycle, the role emphasizes optical exploration, performance discovery, and concept validation. The position collaborates closely with mechanical, electrical, industrial design, and product teams to shape concepts that can progress toward commercialization.
Open to considering candidates at the following skill levels:
  • Entry Level: Contributes to optical design, simulation, and analysis under guidance; develops foundational skills and supports concept development.
  • Senior Level: Independently drives optical concepts and analysis; owns key portions of projects and influences design direction.
  • Lead Level: Sets optical strategy, leads complex concept development, and influences long-term innovation direction across programs.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities (Essential Functions)
Invent Early-Stage Illumination Concepts
  • Collaboratively generate ideas for new products and develop those ideas into product concepts.
  • Translate customer needs, application requirements, and business objectives into illumination concepts and system-level performance targets.
  • Perform competitive analysis and market research to set project objectives and performance criteria

Optical Design & Simulation
  • Develop optical designs using ray trace and simulation tools to evaluate and refine light distribution, efficiency, glare, uniformity, and visual comfort.
  • Design optical architectures including lenses, reflectors, diffusers, and mixed systems.

Photometric Calculation & Analysis
  • Perform photometric calculations to quantify and set luminaire performance targets and application outcomes.
  • Interpret key metrics such as intensity, illuminance, luminance, uniformity, efficacy, and glare.

Prototype, Test, and Validate Concepts
  • Develop, build, and evaluate proof of concept prototypes and mockups using lab measurements and group visual review of subjective criteria
  • Correlate simulation results with measured performance.

Conduct Experiments & Design of Experiments (DoE)
  • Plan and execute experiments to explore materials, architectures, and system behaviors.
  • Use data to guide concept evolution and optimization.

Lead or Contribute to Innovation Activities
  • Participate in ideation sessions and innovation events.
  • Generate novel approaches to light delivery, visual experience, and system integration.

Research Technologies & Industry Trends
  • Monitor emerging optical technologies, research, standards, and competitors.
  • Identify opportunities for new illumination approaches.

Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Work with mechanical, electrical, controls, industrial design, manufacturing, sourcing, and product teams.
  • Balance performance, cost, manufacturability, and user experience.

Communicate Concepts and Tradeoffs
  • Develop clear presentations of optical concepts, simulations, test results, and tradeoffs.
  • Communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders how design decisions impact user experience and the lighting application.

Support Intellectual Property Development
  • Document innovations and support patent development efforts.

Support Broader Product Development Efforts
  • Provide optical expertise across projects, including reviews, benchmarking, application and product performance analysis.

Skills and Minimum Experience Required
Education
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Illumination Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field

Experience (by level)
  • Entry Level: 0-3 years in illumination engineering, optics, or related fields
  • Senior Level: ~5-10 years of relevant experience with demonstrated ownership of optical design and analysis
  • Lead Level: 10+ years with experience leading complex optical development and influencing product direction

Technical Skills
  • Experience with optical simulation tools (e.g., Photopia, LightTools, or equivalent)
  • Experience with CAD and photometric tools (e.g., Visual, AGI32, Dialux, Rhino, Grasshopper, SolidWorks, or equivalents)
  • Knowledge of photometric analysis and lighting performance metrics
  • Experience with prototype development and validation

Additional Attributes
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to collaborate across disciplines
  • Clear communication of complex technical concepts
  • Familiarity with lighting standards and measurement practices (preferred)
  • Experience with IP or patent processes (preferred)

The range for this position is $104,200.00 to $149,500. Placement within this range may vary, depending on the applicant's experience and geographic location. Acuity offers generous benefits including health care, dental coverage, vision plans, 401K benefits, and commissions/incentive compensation depending on the role. For a list of our benefits, click here.
We value diversity and are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regards to race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, ethnicity or national origin, disability, pregnancy, religion, covered veteran status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Please click here and here for more information.
Accommodation for Applicants with Disabilities: As an equal opportunity employer, Acuity Inc. is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in its application process for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you have difficulty using our online system due to a disability and need an accommodation, you may contact us at (770) 922-9000, select option 4. Please clearly indicate what type of accommodation you are requesting and for what requisition.
Any unsolicited resumes sent to Acuity Inc. from a third party, such as an Agency recruiter, including unsolicited resumes sent to an Acuity Inc. mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Acuity Inc. employees, or to Acuity Inc. resume database will be considered Acuity Inc. property. Acuity Inc. will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume.
Acuity Inc. will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. This includes any Agency that is an approved/engaged vendor, but does not have the appropriate approvals to be engaged on a search.
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