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Patent Attorney Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Novartis Group Companies

Patent Attorney

San Diego, CA · Hybrid

$204K - $379K/yr

As a Senior Patent Attorney at Novartis, you'll partner directly with research and development teams to protect cutting-edge inventions, shape smart publication strategies, and build strong ...

MaintainX

Patent Attorney

Raleigh, NC · On-site +1

$150/day

We are seeking an experienced Patent Attorney to join our Legal Department at MaintainX. This individual will develop and execute MaintainX's IP strategy, manage patent prosecution, and support ...

Bodman PLC

Associate Patent Attorney

Grand Rapids, MI · On-site

Bodman's Intellectual Property Group is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Associate Patent Attorney to join our growing office in Grand Rapids. In this position, you will focus on ...

Bodman PLC

Associate Patent Attorney

Grand Rapids, MI · On-site

Description Bodman's Intellectual Property Group is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Associate Patent Attorney to join our growing office in Grand Rapids. Key Responsibilities In this ...

Gentex

Patent Attorney

Holland, MI

Registered as a Patent Attorney and admitted to practice before the United States Patent & Trademark Office. * 2+ years of experience practicing law in a relevant subject matter area. * In-depth ...

Gentex Corporation

Patent Attorney

Holland, MI · On-site

Registered as a Patent Attorney and admitted to practice before the United States Patent & Trademark Office. * 2+ years of experience practicing law in a relevant subject matter area. * In-depth ...

Apple

Patent Attorney or Agent

Cupertino, CA · On-site

We seek to hire a Patent Attorney or Patent Agent to assist in developing and curating the company's battery and power management patent portfolio. You will work with the business to build and ...

MNF Global

EE/CS Patent Attorney

Los Angeles, CA

$235K - $305K/yr

Patent Attorney - Electrical & Computer Technologies LA A highly touted and established law firm seeks a Patent Attorney Associate with 3-6 years of experience to join its expanding patent group. The ...

Apple

Patent Attorney or Agent

Cupertino, CA · On-site

We seek to hire a Patent Attorney or Patent Agent to assist in developing and curating the company's wireless communication portfolio. You will work with the business to build and purposefully ...

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Patent Attorney information

See salary details

$67K

$149.4K

$259.5K

How much do patent attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for patent attorney in the United States is $149,437.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $112,000.00 and $175,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Patent Attorney vs Patent Agent?

AspectPatent AttorneyPatent Agent
CredentialsLaw degree, bar admission, patent law specializationPatent bar exam, technical degree, patent law knowledge
Work EnvironmentLegal firms, corporate legal departments, law courtsPatent offices, law firms, corporate R&D departments
Employer & IndustryLegal industry, patent law firms, corporationsPatent offices, law firms, tech companies

Patent attorneys and patent agents both handle patent applications and intellectual property issues, but patent attorneys are licensed lawyers with law degrees and can represent clients in court. Patent agents are registered with the patent office and focus on patent prosecution. The choice depends on whether legal representation in court is needed or solely patent filing and prosecution services are required.

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

To thrive as a Patent Attorney, you need a robust understanding of intellectual property law, a degree in science or engineering, and admission to both a state bar and the patent bar (USPTO). Familiarity with patent databases, legal research platforms like LexisNexis, and document management systems is typically required. Outstanding analytical thinking, attention to detail, and strong written and verbal communication skills help distinguish top performers in this field. These skills and qualifications are critical for effectively protecting clients' inventions, navigating complex legal processes, and ensuring successful patent prosecution and litigation.

What Is a Patent Attorney?

As a patent attorney, you work with clients to protect their inventions and intellectual property, ensuring that they have exclusive rights to it for a period. You may be asked to file patents with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) to protect your client’s right to market and manufacture a product. You may also appear in court to settle disputes over patents and protect your client’s rights and profits.

What are patent attorneys?

Patent attorneys are legal professionals who specialize in intellectual property law, particularly in securing and protecting patents for inventors and organizations. They are qualified to prepare and prosecute patent applications, provide legal advice on patentability and infringement, and represent clients in patent disputes. Patent attorneys typically have both a law degree and a technical or scientific background, allowing them to understand complex inventions and navigate the legal and technical aspects of patent law.

What are some typical challenges a Patent Attorney faces when managing a diverse portfolio of clients?

Patent Attorneys often work with clients from a wide range of industries, each presenting unique technical and legal complexities. Managing a diverse portfolio requires staying up-to-date with rapidly evolving technologies, understanding varied patent laws across jurisdictions, and effectively communicating with inventors and technical teams. Additionally, balancing multiple deadlines and prioritizing filings to protect clients' intellectual property can be demanding. Strong organizational skills and adaptability are crucial to ensure all client needs are met efficiently.
More about Patent Attorney jobs
What cities are hiring for Patent Attorney jobs? Cities with the most Patent Attorney job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Patent Attorney jobs? The most popular types of Patent Attorney jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Patent Attorney jobs? The top employers for Patent Attorney jobs are:
What states have the most Patent Attorney jobs? States with the most job openings for Patent Attorney jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Patent Attorney jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Patent Attorney jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Patent Attorney jobs? For Patent Attorney jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Patent Attorney jobs near you
Infographic showing various Patent Attorney job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 78% Physical, 9% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $149,437 per year, or $71.8 per hour.

Patent Attorney

Novartis Group Companies

San Diego, CA • Hybrid

$204K - $379K/yr

Other

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

Job Description Summary

#LI-Hybrid
Location: Cambridge or San Diego, United States
If you love the moment when breakthrough science becomes real-world impact, this is your seat at the table. As a Senior Patent Attorney at Novartis, you'll partner directly with research and development teams to protect cutting-edge inventions, shape smart publication strategies, and build strong intellectual property portfolios that help bring innovative therapies to patients-while confidently navigating third party risk and global patent landscapes.


Job Description

Key Responsibilities

  • Provide strategic intellectual property guidance to research and development teams, protecting inventions and reducing thirdparty risk.
  • Build and steer patent portfolios aligned to scientific strategy, product milestones, and longterm value.
  • Draft, file, prosecute, and maintain patent applications across United States and international jurisdictions.
  • Provide opinions on patentability, validity, and freedom to operate to guide decisions.
  • Shape publication and disclosure strategies balancing scientific visibility with robust protection and exclusivity options.
  • Lead due diligence, risk evaluation, and mitigation for collaborations, licensing opportunities, and transactional projects.
  • Partner with global colleagues and external counsel to deliver quality work on time and budget.

Essential Requirements

  • Juris Doctor with admission to a United States state bar and registration with the United States Patent Office.
  • PhD in biology, biochemistry, or related life sciences such as molecular biology.
  • Seven or more years experience as a patent attorney in a law firm or life sciences company.
  • Strong scientific foundation, ideally including handson laboratory experience in biological sciences.
  • Expertise in United States and Patent Cooperation Treaty filing and prosecution, with working knowledge of European practice.
  • Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder partnering skills; able to influence, prioritize, and deliver accurate work.

Benefits & Rewards

The salary for this position is expected to range between $204.400 and $379.600 per year. The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors. Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards. US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.


EEO Statement:

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.


Accessibility and reasonable accommodations

The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to us.reasonableaccommodations@novartis.com or call +1(877)395-2339 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.


Salary Range

$204,400.00 - $379,600.00


Skills Desired

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