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Patent Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Husch Blackwell Llp

Patent Agent

Chicago, IL · Remote

$100K - $170K/yr

The patent prosecution team is presently 35+ attorneys, 10 patent agents & engineers, and 15+ paralegals. Husch Blackwell has a dedicated program manager for Patent Agents & Patent Engineers. The ...

Husch Blackwell LLP

Patent Agent

Chicago, IL · Remote

$100K - $170K/yr

The patent prosecution team is presently 35+ attorneys, 10 patent agents & engineers, and 15+ paralegals. Husch Blackwell has a dedicated program manager for Patent Agents & Patent Engineers. The ...

Mcguirewoods

Patent Agent

Chicago, IL · On-site

$90 - $130/hr

The ideal candidate must be registered with the USPTO, have a degree in Software Engineering, Chemical Engineering or Chemistry, and experience and interest preparing patent applications.

McGuireWoods LLP

Patent Agent

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

The ideal candidate must be registered with the USPTO, have a degree in Software Engineering, Chemical Engineering or Chemistry, and experience and interest preparing patent applications.

McGuireWoods LLP

Patent Agent

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

The ideal candidate must be registered with the USPTO, have a degree in Software Engineering, Chemical Engineering or Chemistry, and experience and interest preparing patent applications.

McGuireWoods LLP

Patent Agent

Chicago, IL · On-site

$171K - $216K/yr

The ideal candidate must be registered with the USPTO, have a degree in Software Engineering, Chemical Engineering or Chemistry, and experience and interest preparing patent applications.

MNF Global

EE/CS Patent Agent

Chicago, IL

$140K - $240K/yr

The ideal candidate will have at least 2 years of experience in patent preparation and prosecution, along with a degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, software engineering, computer ...

JBT Marel Corporation

Patent Attorney

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

Patent Attorney Development-oriented and visionary company is looking for a Patent Attorney. Are ... It will be an advantage if you have technical competences in the field of engineering or in physics.

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All JobsPatent Engineer JobsPatent Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Patent Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$76.2K

$157.3K

$309K

How much do patent engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for patent engineer in Chicago, IL is $157,268.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $114,900.00 and $185,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a patent engineer?

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 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 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.

Are patent engineers in demand?

Patent engineers are in demand due to the growing need for intellectual property protection across industries such as technology, pharmaceuticals, and engineering. They often require technical expertise and knowledge of patent law, and employment prospects are strong in regions with active innovation and patent filings.
More about Patent Engineer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Patent Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Patent Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

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For Patent Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Patent Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Patent Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Patent Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Patent Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $157,268 per year, or $75.6 per hour.

Patent Engineer- Biomedical

Hanley, Flight & Zimmerman, LLC

Chicago, IL • On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description


Looking to use your biomedical engineering skills in a different way?Take an unexpected path that leverages your knowledge of engineering in the legal field of patent prosecution and counseling. Our Patent Engineer position is an exciting blend of both the legal and engineering career paths, allowing you to experience the latest in cutting- edge technology as you help inventors establish their intellectual property rights for their new inventions.
Hanley, Flight and Zimmerman, LLC (HFZ) is seeking individuals wanting to pursue a career as a patent engineer and ultimately, as a patent attorney. As an engineer, you have the technical background required to interface with inventors from our Fortune 500 clients. You will engage with inventors creating the advanced technologies that are modernizing industries and revolutionizing how people interface with our world. We work with clients within the automotive and aerospace sectors, telecommunications and software industries, with artificial intelligence, machine learning and wireless technologies, consumer products, as well as, valve technologies and biomedical devices and instrumentation - to name a few. HFZ's team of seasoned intellectual property practitioners will help you learn the art of practicing patent law from the ground up. You will be involved in all stages of the patent process, including preparing and filing applications, formulating prosecution strategies and arguments, and assisting clients with their intellectual property portfolio management decisions. With guidance, you can help identify what's unique about an invention and build a case for protecting it. Come work in an innovative environment where you can develop strong relationships, help companies with their long-term business strategies, and experience new and different technologies everyday.
HFZ is a boutique firm located in the heart of Chicago, specializing in United States and foreign patent prosecution and patent counseling. Our team of practitioners includes many individuals who have years of industry experience as engineers and inventors before becoming patent attorneys. A combination of significant real-world engineering experience and legal experience results in a highly focused and skilled
team of practitioners who provide services to numerous Fortune 500 technology companies.
Compensation:
  • Thesalary range for this position is $75,000-$85,000/year. Actual salary willvary and may be above or below this range based on experience.
  • Year-end bonus potential - discretionary and based on productivity.
  • Comprehensive Benefits Programincludes Health, Life and Disability Insurance and available Dental andVision insurance.
  • 401K plan.
  • This is an in-office,Chicago-based role with hybrid flexibility.

Please apply to this position by submitting a cover letter, resume and transcript to this online posting.
Hanley, Flight & Zimmerman, LLC is committed to diversity as a core value of the firm. We continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our employees. A diverse and inclusive workforce enriches our work experience and enhances the value of our legal services. HFZ is an Equal Opportunity/ M/F/Vet/Disabled Employer.
Requirements
- Biomedical engineering degree.
- Excellent undergraduate and graduate academic credentials (minimum GPA 3.5 preferred).
- Strong analytical and writing skills.
Candidate Preferences:
-candidates with a Masters or Ph.D degree
candidates with an official LSAT score - a real plus
-candidates with a Patent Office Registration Number - a real plus
Benefits
  • Comprehensive Benefits Programincludes Health, Life and Disability Insurance and available Dental andVision insurance.
  • 401K plan.

Apply