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Intellectual Property Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

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Intellectual Property information

See Minnesota salary details

$50.4K

$117.4K

$193.9K

How much do intellectual property jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for intellectual property in Minnesota is $117,408.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,500.00 and $137,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an intellectual property professional?

Intellectual Property (IP) professionals are experts who help individuals and organizations protect, manage, and enforce their intellectual property rights. These rights include patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. IP professionals may work as attorneys, agents, consultants, or in-house specialists, providing legal advice, filing applications, conducting searches, and handling disputes. Their work ensures that creators and inventors can safeguard their innovations and creative works from unauthorized use.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as an intellectual property professional?

To thrive as an Intellectual Property professional, you need a strong understanding of patent, trademark, and copyright laws, often supported by a law degree or specialized IP certification. Familiarity with IP management software, patent databases like USPTO or EPO, and legal research tools is essential. Outstanding analytical thinking, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help you effectively protect and advocate for intellectual assets. These competencies are crucial for navigating complex legal frameworks, advising clients, and ensuring robust IP protection in a competitive market.

What are common challenges faced by intellectual property professionals?

Professionals in Intellectual Property (IP) roles often navigate complex legal frameworks and must stay updated on evolving laws and international treaties. A typical challenge is balancing the protection of innovations with ensuring compliance across multiple jurisdictions. Additionally, coordinating with inventors, legal teams, and business stakeholders requires strong communication and project management skills. Managing tight deadlines, especially for patent or trademark filings, is also a frequent aspect of the role.

What is the difference between Intellectual Property vs Patent Examiner?

AspectIntellectual PropertyPatent Examiner
CredentialsLegal, technical, or patent law backgroundEngineering or technical degree, patent law knowledge
Work EnvironmentLegal firms, corporations, government agenciesPatent offices, government agencies
Industry UsageBroadly used across industries for rights managementSpecific to patent application review

Intellectual Property is a broad field encompassing rights like patents, trademarks, and copyrights, while a Patent Examiner specializes in reviewing patent applications within the patent system. The examiner's role is focused on assessing patentability, whereas Intellectual Property professionals manage and strategize across various rights. Both roles require technical or legal credentials and are integral to protecting innovations in various industries.

What does an intellectual property specialist do?

An intellectual property specialist manages and protects a company's intellectual assets, such as patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. They conduct patent searches, prepare and file applications, and ensure legal compliance, often working closely with legal teams and using specialized IP management tools.

What are the most commonly searched types of Intellectual Property jobs in Minnesota?

The most popular types of Intellectual Property jobs in Minnesota are:

What are popular job titles related to Intellectual Property jobs in Minnesota?

For Intellectual Property jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Intellectual Property jobs?

Cities in Minnesota with the most Intellectual Property job openings:

Infographic showing various Intellectual Property job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $117,408 per year, or $56.4 per hour.

IP Mechanical/Electrical Engineering Patent Agent

Barnes and Thornburg LLP

Minneapolis, MN • On-site

$100K - $175K/yr

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Prepare and prosecute U.S. and international patent applications.

  • Draft patent applications, including specifications, claims, and drawings descriptions, for inventions relating to consumer electronics hardware and electromechanical systems.

  • Respond to USPTO Office Actions and manage prosecution strategy in coordination with partners and clients.


Barnes & Thornburg rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

9th of 35 rated law firms


Job description

Location: Minneapolis, MN
Experience: 3-5 Years
Practice Area: Intellectual Property - Patent Prosecution (Mechanical Engineering/Electrical Engineering)
Barnes & Thornburg's nationally recognized intellectual property practice delivers the strength of a powerhouse IP boutique housed within a full-service AmLaw 100 firm. With 125+ dedicated IP attorneys and agents, we have one of the largest and most technically skilled IP teams in the country, earning consistent recognition in Chambers USA, IAM Patent 1000, World Trademark Review 1000, and IP Stars. Our practitioners advise clients from startups to Fortune 500 companies, who call us "the absolute best" and their "go-to for all things intellectual property."
Position Overview
We are seeking a Patent Agent with 3-5 years of experience to join our highly regarded Intellectual Property Department in Minneapolis. The ideal candidate will have a mechanical engineering background with electrical engineering drafting experience and familiarity with wireless device hardware including smartphones, tablets, and wearables. This is an excellent opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies within a collaborative, high-performing team.
Key Responsibilities
  • Prepare and prosecute U.S. and international patent applications
  • Draft patent applications, including specifications, claims, and drawings descriptions, for inventions relating to consumer electronics hardware and electromechanical systems
  • Conduct prior art searches and support patentability, freedom-to-operate, and invalidity analyses, including clearance opinions for product launches
  • Respond to USPTO Office Actions and manage prosecution strategy in coordination with partners and clients
  • Conduct inventor interviews and distill complex technical subject matter into clear, precise patent disclosure
  • Support due diligence efforts related to patent portfolios in transactions and licensing matters
  • Assist with post-grant proceedings, including inter partes review and reexamination, as needed
  • Manage docket deadlines and maintain accurate file records

Requirements:
  • Registration in good standing before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
  • 3-5 years of patent prosecution experience, preferably at a large law firm or boutique IP firm
  • Demonstrated experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications in both mechanical and electrical engineering subject matter
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to manage a substantial docket and meet competing deadlines
  • Detail-oriented with a commitment to producing high-quality work product

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Substantive familiarity with wireless device hardware
  • Experience with patent clearance and freedom-to-operate projects
  • Experience managing patent portfolios
  • Experience supporting patent opinion letter preparation
  • Familiarity with non-infringement and invalidity analyses
  • Experience assisting with patent due diligence for corporate transactions and M&A matters
  • Advanced degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a closely related field is a plus

We will not consider resumes submitted by external agencies or recruiters for this position. Recruiters and agencies will not be compensated for assisting Barnes & Thornburg LLP in recruiting for this position, regardless of whether such party has a recruiting contract with us.
Equal Employment and Opportunity Statement:
Barnes & Thornburg is committed to equal employment opportunity in both principle and as a matter of policy. We will recruit, hire, train, promote, compensate and provide benefits to all applicants and employees without regard to ancestry, sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, religion, religious creed, mental and/or physical disability, medical condition, military and/or veteran's status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and local laws. This policy applies to all recruiting, hiring, promotions, upgrades, layoffs, compensation, benefits, terminations and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment. The firm complies fully with all federal, state and local equal employment opportunity laws.

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