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Patent Engineer Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Patent Agent

Seattle, WA · On-site

$130K - $180K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Baker Hostetler is looking for a Computer Science/Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering Patent Agent to join our firm. This is a unique opportunity to work in our AmLaw 100 firm and support ...

Patent Agent/Advisor (Software/AI)

Seattle, WA

$125K - $228K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

Direct Counsel is seeking a Patent Agent or Patent Advisor to join a leading national firm's busy ... Degree in computer science, software engineering, electrical engineering, or related field * Strong ...

Patent Attorney

Redmond, WA · Hybrid

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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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Showing results 1-20

Patent Engineer information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$84.3K

$173.8K

$341.6K

How much do patent engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for patent engineer in Seattle, WA is $173,836.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,000.00 and $205,000.00 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.

How much do patent engineers make in the US?

Patent engineers in the US typically earn a median annual salary of around $100,000, with salaries ranging from approximately $70,000 to $130,000 depending on experience, education, and location. They often hold engineering degrees and may require patent law training or certification to advance in the field.

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 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 most commonly searched types of Patent Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA?

The most popular types of Patent Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA are:

What cities near Seattle, WA are hiring for Patent Engineer jobs?

Cities near Seattle, WA with the most Patent Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Patent Engineer job openings in Seattle, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $173,836 per year, or $83.6 per hour.

Corporate Counsel, Patent Licensing & Transactions

Amazon

Seattle, WA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago


Amazon rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 7,084 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 39 rated national retailers


Job description

Amazon is seeking an exceptional Corporate Counsel for our Patent Licensing & Transactions team, where you'll drive high-stakes patent licensing and transactions and help shape strategy for one of the world's most valuable IP portfolios.
Working with a small but creative team, you'll manage pre-litigation patent assertions and build processes to track and respond to licensing opportunities. You'll partner with business leaders, patent engineers, and litigators to solve complex global IP problems with practical solutions - even when the facts are ambiguous and the law is unclear.
The ideal candidate for this role pairs a strong patent licensing background with some patent litigation experience. Seattle, WA or Arlington, VA are the preferred locations, although New York, NY may be considered

Occasional domestic or international travel may be required.
Key job responsibilities
- Evaluate and manage pre-litigation patent assertions - from discussions with individual inventors to global SEP campaigns across multiple businesses
- Structure, draft, and negotiate patent licenses, cross-licenses, and settlement agreements
- Develop templates, playbooks, and scalable processes to efficiently address recurring IP risks and issues
- Identify and execute strategic patent acquisitions, including negotiating patent purchase and sale agreements and joint development agreements
- Partner with patent litigation and prosecution colleagues to align strategy and priorities across licensing, litigation, and portfolio development
- Manage outside counsel on complex negotiations and transactions, balancing quality, speed, and cost
A day in the life
Your primary focus is managing pre-litigation patent assertions, from evaluating licensing opportunities to negotiating and closing major patent licensing deals. You'll collaborate daily with patent engineers and attorneys to dive into technology and work with litigators and business leaders to align on strategy. No two days look the same - you might spend your morning negotiating a deal and your afternoon developing strategy for patent pool engagement.
About the team
This fast-moving team focuses on strategic patent licensing, pre-litigation patent assertions, and collaborations with universities and standards-development organizations

The team tackles complex IP challenges across Amazon's entire broad portfolio of technologies and products.


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About Amazon

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Amazon.com, Inc., commonly known as Amazon, is an American multinational technology company. It was founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994 and initially started as an online marketplace for books. Since then, Amazon has expanded its operations and become one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world. Amazon's primary business is its online retail platform, where customers can purchase a vast array of products, including electronics, clothing, books, home goods, and much more. The company offers a convenient and user-friendly shopping experience, with features such as fast shipping, customer reviews, and personalized recommendations. In addition to its e-commerce platform, Amazon has diversified its business into various other areas. One of its notable ventures is Amazon Web Services (AWS), a comprehensive cloud computing platform that provides services such as storage, compute power, and database management to individuals and businesses. AWS has become a leader in the cloud computing industry, powering many websites and applications worldwide. Amazon has also developed its own consumer electronics, including the popular Amazon Kindle e-reader, Fire tablets, Fire TV streaming devices, and the Alexa-powered Echo smart speakers. The Alexa voice assistant, integrated into these devices, allows users to interact with their devices using voice commands, perform tasks, and access information. Furthermore, Amazon has expanded into media and entertainment. It operates Prime Video, a streaming service that offers a wide range of movies, TV shows, and original content. Amazon Music provides a platform for streaming and purchasing digital music, while Audible offers audiobooks and other audio content. The company's commitment to customer satisfaction and convenience is demonstrated by its membership program, Amazon Prime. Prime members receive various benefits, including free two-day shipping, access to streaming services, exclusive deals, and more.

Industry

It services, book publishers, retail, real estate and computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Seattle, WA, US