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Patent Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Banner Witcoff

Patent Engineer

Washington, DC · Hybrid

$80K - $130K/yr

Patent Engineer Banner Witcoff is a leader in intellectual property law for more than 100 years. We are the trusted IP partner of choice for organizations around the world. We provide sound legal ...

Banner Witcoff

Patent Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$80K - $130K/yr

Patent Engineer Banner Witcoff is a leader in intellectual property law for more than 100 years. We are the trusted IP partner of choice for organizations around the world. We provide sound legal ...

Ofinno

Patent Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

Patent Engineer About Ofinno: Ofinno is a leading research and development lab headquartered in Reston, Virginia, specializing in advancing communication and media standards. Our team's innovative ...

Ofinno

Patent Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

Patent Engineer About Ofinno: Ofinno is a leading research and development lab headquartered in Reston, Virginia, specializing in advancing communication and media standards. Our team's innovative ...

BitDeer

Senior Patent Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$100K - $200K/yr

Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in patent engineering, IP management, or related roles within technology-driven organizations or reputable IP agencies. * Familiarity with US patent laws ...

Terumo Corporation

Sr. Patent Engineer

Somerset, NJ · On-site

This includes working closely with associates in engineering, manufacturing, sales and marketing, legal, and other functional areas to identify and protect the Company's IP via patents, trademarks ...

Terumo Corporation

Sr. Patent Engineer

Somerset, NJ · Hybrid

This includes working closely with associates in engineering, manufacturing, sales and marketing, legal, and other functional areas to identify and protect the Company's IP via patents, trademarks ...

Legal

Sr. Patent Engineer

Somerset, NJ · Hybrid

This includes working closely with associates in engineering, manufacturing, sales and marketing, legal, and other functional areas to identify and protect the Company's IP via patents, trademarks ...

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Patent Engineer information

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$152.7K

$300K

How much do patent engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for patent engineer in the United States is $152,666.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $111,500.00 and $180,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Patent Engineer vs Patent Agent?

AspectPatent EngineerPatent Agent
Required CredentialsEngineering degree, technical expertiseEngineering or scientific degree, patent law exam
Work EnvironmentR&D departments, patent departments in tech companiesPatent law firms, patent offices, corporate legal teams
Employer & Industry UsageTech, engineering, manufacturing sectorsLegal firms, patent agencies, corporations with patent portfolios
Common Search & ComparisonPatent Engineer vs Patent Agent

While both Patent Engineers and Patent Agents work closely with patents, Patent Engineers focus on technical analysis and patent drafting within companies, whereas Patent Agents are licensed to file and prosecute patents legally. The roles often overlap in technical background, but Patent Agents have legal authority to represent clients before patent offices.

What are the most common challenges faced by Patent Engineers when collaborating with inventors and R&D teams?

Patent Engineers often encounter the challenge of translating complex technical innovations into clear, legally sound patent documents. Effective collaboration with inventors and R&D teams is essential, as it requires bridging the gap between technical details and patent requirements. Patent Engineers must ask precise questions, ensure thorough disclosure, and sometimes mediate differing perspectives about what aspects of an invention should be emphasized. Building strong communication skills and a solid understanding of both technology and intellectual property law are key to overcoming these challenges.

What does a Patent Engineer do?

A Patent Engineer is a technical professional who assists in the process of securing patents for inventions and innovations. They analyze inventions, conduct patent searches, draft patent applications, and work closely with inventors and patent attorneys to ensure intellectual property is properly protected. Patent Engineers often have a background in engineering or science, which helps them understand complex technologies. Their role is crucial in translating technical concepts into legal documents required by patent offices.

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

To thrive as a Patent Engineer, you need a strong technical background—often a degree in engineering or science—paired with knowledge of intellectual property laws and patent drafting. Familiarity with patent databases, prior art search tools, and patent management software is typically required. Excellent analytical thinking, attention to detail, and strong written communication skills are crucial for interpreting inventions and preparing thorough documentation. These skills ensure accurate patent filings, effective communication with inventors and attorneys, and successful protection of intellectual property.

What Does a Patent Engineer Do?

As a patent engineer, you review patent applications to help determine whether or not a patent agent should grant a patent for inventions or intellectual property. In this role, you may review a draft of the product, help research any similar existing products, and prepare additional documents and information as necessary. Despite the name, this job is more akin to being an attorney than an engineer, especially when it comes to checking for issues of copyright or patent infringement. Patent engineers should not be confused with patent agents. Patent agents generally have a senior position and make the final decision regarding application matters while patent engineers assist with research and paperwork.

More about Patent Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Patent Engineer jobs? Cities with the most 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 Patent Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Patent Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Patent Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Patent Engineer jobs are:
Patent Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Patent Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% Internship, 41% Full Time, 43% Part Time, 4% Temporary, and 6% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $152,666 per year, or $73.4 per hour.
Patent Engineer

Patent Engineer

Banner Witcoff

Washington, DC • Hybrid

$80K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago

Job description

Patent Engineer
Banner Witcoff is a leader in intellectual property law for more than 100 years. We are the trusted IP partner of choice for organizations around the world. We provide sound legal guidance and inventive IP solutions to power business for start-ups, Fortune 500 companies, and everything in between.
Banner Witcoff is seeking full-time Patent Engineers with backgrounds in electrical engineering. Patent Engineers will work directly with engineers and scientists at client companies to prepare and prosecute patent applications describing cutting-edge inventions under the guidance of an attorney. Patent Engineers learn about many different leading technologies every day from computer networking, to video processing, solar energy, and wireless technologies, including 5G and 6G.
Skills and Educational Requirements:
  • A bachelor’s degree is required and 1-2 years of patent prosecution or industry experience in electrical engineering and/or a related field is preferred.
  • Excellent academic credentials required.
  • Familiarity with docket management tools, iManage, PatSnap, Visio, and CAD viewing software is preferred.
  • A US patent bar registration number is required for this position.
  • Fluency in Japanese language is a plus.
Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Review the state of the art and collaborate with inventors to identify novel and patentable features.
  • Conduct comprehensive prior‑art searches for patentability, validity, and litigation-related analyses.
  • Draft high‑quality patent applications, including detailed specifications, drawings, and technical descriptions.
  • Draft patent claims and prepare claim charts to support prosecution and strategic decision‑making.
  • Prepare responses to USPTO Office Actions, working closely with reviewing patent attorneys.
  • Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of USPTO rules, procedures, and the MPEP, applying them accurately in daily prosecution work.
  • Demonstrate familiarity with major foreign patent office rules and procedures to support international filings and strategies.
  • Manage a high-volume patent docket by maintaining file integrity, monitoring deadlines, and prioritizing tasks effectively.
  • Communicate clearly and professionally with clients, including understanding and following client-specific procedures, preferences, and workflow requirements.
  • Conduct technical review and citation checking of legal briefs in patent litigation matters.
  • Produce consistently high-quality work with strong attention to detail, writing clarity, and analytical rigor.
  • Participate in internal training, receive mentoring, and work with a supervising patent attorney on assigned work product.
  • Meet a minimum billable hours requirement of 1,500 hours annually.
Opportunities for Growth and Advancement:
  • Upon starting law school, may be advanced to Patent Law Clerk.
  • Upon completion of law school, path to attorney role in the firm.
This position is a hybrid role, with a blend of remote and in-office work. The employee will be required to work in the office (Washington, DC or Chicago, IL) at least two days per week, or more, depending on business needs and/or work assignments. In-office specific duties include managing mail, copying, face-to-face meetings, greeting clients and visitors, team collaborative projects, as well as company events.
Banner Witcoff offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, 401(k), business-casual attire, and a friendly office environment. Interested candidates should apply online by sending a resume, cover letter with salary requirements, writing sample, and transcripts.
The salary range for this role is $80,000 to $130,000 annually. This is an exempt position. This range is only applicable for jobs to be performed in Washington, DC or Chicago, IL. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s pay within the salary range will be based on numerous factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, geographical location, and business or organizational needs. This job is also eligible for an annual merit increase and bonus pay.
Banner Witcoff is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. The Firm will not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, sex, pregnancy, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, legal citizenship or any other status protected by law.
Instructions to Recruiting Agencies and Search Firms
Banner Witcoff will not accept unsolicited resumes, and will not pay a fee for any unsolicited submissions. We will not accept resumes from search firms or recruiters with which we do not have an established agreement, and any resume sent without request or prior approval from our recruiting coordinators will be considered unsolicited. In addition, please do not call or e-mail any attorney or staff at our firm without prior approval from our recruiting coordinators. Thank you for respecting our process.

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