1

Patent Agent Jobs in Decatur, GA (NOW HIRING)

Patent Attorney Development-oriented and visionary company is looking for a Patent Attorney. Are you experienced within IP and a self-driven person? 📍 Location: JBT Marel Boxmeer 🕒 Employment ...

IP Associate-Patent Prosecution IP Associate - Patent Prosecution Location: Charlotte, NC OR Atlanta, GA Salary: $150k-$210k/yr Position Overview We are seeking an IP Associate specializing in patent ...

Patent Assistant

Atlanta, GA · Hybrid

$30.26 - $37.95/hr

Join Fish's team in our fast-paced Practice Systems Department as a Patent Assistant . How Will You Make a Difference? * Provide administrative support to legal staff and paralegals. Support may be ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Patent Agent information

See Decatur, GA salary details

$55.7K

$112.7K

$165K

How much do patent agent jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for patent agent in Decatur, GA is $112,720.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,900.00 and $112,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Patent Agent vs Patent Attorney?

AspectPatent AgentPatent Attorney
CredentialsPatent Bar exam, technical degreePatent Bar exam, law degree, bar admission
Work EnvironmentPatent offices, law firms, corporate IP departmentsLaw firms, corporate legal departments, patent offices
Roles & ResponsibilitiesPreparing and filing patent applications, patent prosecutionPatent prosecution, legal advice, litigation, licensing

While both Patent Agents and Patent Attorneys handle patent applications and prosecution, Patent Agents are licensed to practice before the patent office after passing the Patent Bar exam, but cannot provide legal advice outside patent matters. Patent Attorneys, with law degrees and bar admission, can offer broader legal services including litigation and legal counseling. The choice depends on whether you need specialized patent prosecution or comprehensive legal services.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Patent Agent, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Patent Agent, you need a strong background in science or engineering, typically with at least a bachelor’s degree in a technical field and successful completion of the USPTO registration exam. Familiarity with patent search databases, intellectual property management systems, and legal research tools is crucial. Exceptional analytical thinking, attention to detail, and clear written communication skills distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies ensure accurate, thorough patent applications and effective client representation before the patent office.

What qualifications do you need to be a patent agent?

To become a patent agent, candidates typically need a scientific or technical degree, such as in engineering or biology, and must pass the Patent Bar Exam administered by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). A strong understanding of patent law and technical writing skills are also important for success in the role.

What Do Patent Agents Do?

As a patent agent, your responsibilities include around working with inventors as they pursue patent applicants. You help individuals or companies with an invention go through the patent application process or take other steps to protect their intellectual property, such as registering a trademark. As a patent agent, you search existing patents and then help the inventor refine their application based on your findings. You may also collect evidence and research patent violations on behalf of a client. However, since you are not an attorney, you do not represent clients in court.

What are some common challenges a Patent Agent faces when working with inventors and research teams?

Patent Agents often encounter challenges in translating complex technical concepts from inventors into clear, legally defensible patent applications. It can be demanding to bridge the gap between inventors’ technical language and the legal requirements of patent law. Additionally, Patent Agents must manage tight deadlines and coordinate with cross-functional teams, such as R&D, legal, and sometimes marketing, ensuring that all stakeholders are aligned throughout the patent prosecution process.

Is it hard to be a patent agent?

Becoming a patent agent requires passing the Patent Bar exam and having a background in science or engineering, which can be challenging due to the technical and legal knowledge needed. The role involves understanding patent law, preparing patent applications, and working with patent examiners, often requiring strong analytical skills and attention to detail. The difficulty varies depending on individual background and preparation efforts.

Are patent agents in demand?

Patent agents are in demand due to the ongoing need for intellectual property protection across various industries, especially in technology and pharmaceuticals. Their expertise in patent law and technical knowledge makes them valuable, and employment opportunities are expected to grow as innovation continues to expand globally.

What can I do as a patent agent?

A patent agent is qualified to prepare, file, and prosecute patent applications before the patent office, helping inventors protect their intellectual property. They typically have technical expertise in a specific field and pass the patent bar exam. Patent agents do not have the authority to represent clients in court or provide legal opinions on patent validity or infringement.

What is a Patent Agent?

A Patent Agent is a professional who is qualified to prepare, file, and prosecute patent applications on behalf of inventors or organizations before the patent office. They are trained in both science or engineering and patent law, but unlike patent attorneys, they do not have a law degree and cannot represent clients in court. Patent Agents help protect inventions by ensuring they meet the requirements for patentability and by navigating the complex patent application process. Their expertise is valuable to companies, universities, and individuals seeking to secure intellectual property rights.
What are popular job titles related to Patent Agent jobs in Decatur, GA? For Patent Agent jobs in Decatur, GA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Decatur, GA are hiring for Patent Agent jobs? Cities near Decatur, GA with the most Patent Agent job openings:
Infographic showing various Patent Agent job openings in Decatur, GA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $112,720 per year, or $54.2 per hour.
Intellectual Property Manager Patents & Innovation Strategy

Intellectual Property Manager Patents & Innovation Strategy

Novelis

Atlanta, GA

Full-time

Medical, Life

Re-posted 3 days ago


Novelis rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 55 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

228th of 527 rated manufacturers


Job description

Novelis is one of the world leaders in aluminum recycling and rolling and a leading sustainable aluminum solutions provider. Driven by our purpose of shaping a sustainable world together, we work alongside our customers to provide innovative solutions to the aerospace, automotive, beverage packaging and specialty markets. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Novelis has approximately 13,000 employees in 32 operating facilities on 4 continents.


The Legal team, located in Atlanta, GA is seeking an IP Manager. The IP Manager is accountable for maximizing the value of Novelis’s intellectual property for the technology groups they support. The IP Manager is also responsible for minimizing the impact of third-party intellectual property rights on Novelis’s technical and/or commercial strategies. The protection of Novelis’s intellectual property depends upon an effective patent management process, which is made up of several components. The IP Manager will be expected to take a leading role across various technical portfolios in assessing the best approach and strategy for handing the Novelis invention records to fit the overall strategy for the technology they pertain to.

Responsibilities

  • Work with R&D and other inventor groups to identify areas of innovation and possible new patent applications or trade secrets.
  • Regular communications with inventors to instruct them in how to best fill out Invention Records, to advise as to the appropriate time to submit Invention Records, etc.
  • Continuously educate inventors on both process and overall understanding of IP laws, pitfalls and best practices to best handle Novelis’ IP
  • Understand in detail from the inventors the scope and impact of their ideas, help them with a strategy on how to complete their invention record filing and assess the optimal strategy for handling the invention records based on other IP filing status both internally and externally to Novelis
  • Influence and engage inventors on their full support and collaboration in pursuit of the recommended IP protection strategy/ approach
  • Manage the filing of new patent applications, analyze prior art, review claim and specification scope.
  • Utilize both technical and legal expertise to support the IP Team in the procurement and protection of patents, including supervising outside counsel in their preparation of patent applications, review of patent applications to ensure adequate scope of coverage and alignment with Novelis’s IP protection strategy
  • Review and endorse IP-related language in contracts on Novelis’s behalf.
  • Review the legal terms pertaining to IP on legal documents including commercial, technology, alliance, and any other agreements impacting Novelis’s technology.
  • Provide input on edits as they relate to IP.
  • Manage the entire patent process including prosecution of pending applications, portfolio reviews, and patent renewals, within designated technical fields.
  • Work with GTDs or their designees to obtain input during prosecution to ensure that final granted claim scope aligns with Novelis’s commercial and business objectives, determine whether to maintain issued patents in various jurisdictions, assess the strategic value of patent families to Novelis’s patent portfolio, etc.
  • Be a trusted business partner and thought leader with the GTD’s for our commercial value streams to build an aligned strategy for protecting Novelis intellectual property
  • Monitor third-party patent applications and patents and inform relevant internal clients when potential threats are identified.
  • Regularly review patent watches and topic alerts to identify threats to Novelis, and work with inventors, GTDs, and the IP Team re how to best respond to those threats. The patent watches and topic alerts can take several hours to review and discuss internally.
  • Coordinate oppositions against competitor patents.
  • Work with internal technical teams, the IP Team, and outside counsel to determine whether and when to oppose competitor patents, obtain the necessary supporting technical documentation to deliver a successful outcome, review and analyze opposition-related documents including legal arguments.
  • Promote awareness of Novelis’s IP protection process and strategy through training sessions.
  • Support the IP Team in its ongoing training and education efforts globally.

Minimum qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science or Engineering (mechanical engineering or similar degree); USPTO Registration
  • 5+ years acting as a patent attorney or patent agent in a law firm or similar in-house role. Typically, this experience follows a technical degree and experience in the technology-related field chosen. Extensive experience with preparing and prosecuting patent applications, extensive knowledge of U.S. patent law with high familiarity with key foreign jurisdictions (WIPO, Europe, Brazil, Korea, China, etc.).
  • Analytical, strong communicator (written and oral), responsive, ability to multi-task and take on a variety of work

Preferred qualifications

  • Experience in materials science and/or metallurgy preferred.
  • Experience reviewing and/or drafting standard legal agreements such as NDAs.

*Please note that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship

What We Offer: 

Novelis' benefits say a lot about how we care for each other. Our employees and their families have many different needs. As a result, our benefits offer choices on many levels and are high in quality, driven by the marketplace, and affordable. In addition to core benefits, we provide these unique to the industry benefits: 

  • Family Growth Programs: Paid parental Leave, Adoption Assistance, Fertility Treatment, Childcare Discount and Nursing Mom Support 
  • Employee Assistance Programs: free resources available 24/7 to you and your family in the areas of mental health, family life, and career and financial guidance 
  • Wellness Programs: incentives for wellness activities, wellness spending account, programs for building healthy habits, virtual physical therapy for joint, back, and pelvic health, health management programs and more. 
  • Diabetes Management Program
  • Pet insurance 
  • Identity Theft Protection  
  • PerkSpot Discount Program 
  • Tuition assistance and career development programs! 

#LI- NT1

#LI- Hybrid


Novelis’ Global Corporate and North America Headquarters is located in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta GA employing around 700 people. Supporting it’s 31 operations worldwide Novelis’ corporate office is home to the executive leadership team and global functions that support the automotive beverage can and high-end specialties value streams. The City of Atlanta provides a diverse and family-friendly place to live with countless museums cultural organizations and educational institutions including the Georgia Aquarium Woodruff Arts Center CNN Center Georgia Tech and Mercedes-Benz Stadium. In the Atlanta area Novelis has strong community partnerships with Atlanta Habitat for Humanity GeorgiaFIRST and Agape Youth and Family Center in addition to many local museums and community groups.

Novelis recognizes its talented and diverse workforce as a key competitive advantage. Novelis provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants.All terms and conditions of employment at Novelis including recruiting hiring placement promotion termination layoffs recalls transfers leaves of absence compensation and training are without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal provincial or local laws.


We encourage all potential candidates to follow the protocols below and to be diligent when sharing any personal information:
1. Check the job posting is live and valid via our careers page: Careers - Novelis
2. Verify any communication with us by contacting our talent team at Careers - Novelis


What Novelis employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom