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Patent Portfolio Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Education: BS or higher degree in mechanical engineering or related field.5+ years of patent-focused work experience drafting and prosecuting patent assets, managing portfolios, developing patent ...

Education: BS or higher degree in mechanical engineering or related field. 5+ years of patent-focused work experience drafting and prosecuting patent assets, managing portfolios, developing patent ...

Conduct regular portfolio reviews, lead annual audits, and manage the patent budget. Develop and ... recommend patent filing, prosecution, continuation, foreign filing, and maintain/abandon strategies ...

Senior Patent Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$100K - $200K/yr

Global Patent Portfolio Management: Strategically plan and adjust the company's international patent landscape based on market dynamics and business objectives. * Licensing & Negotiations:

Manage patent portfolios and monitor critical deadlines using docketing systems. * Prepare and file Information Disclosure Statements (IDS), Powers of Attorney, Assignments, Declarations, and other ...

Manage outside patent counsel and oversee patent drafting and prosecution to ensure quality, consistency, and cost control. * Maintain and evaluate the patent portfolio for the product line ...

Previous in-house experience in a high-tech industry with portfolio management and technology licensing. * Experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications to issuance in: generative and ...

Patent Counsel

Boston, MA · On-site

$170K - $210K/yr

Patent Counsel At WHOOP, we're on a mission to unlock human performance and health span. WHOOP ... Manage the day-to-day operation of the WHOOP trademark portfolio, including coordinating filings ...

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Patent Portfolio Manager information

See salary details

$51.5K

$119.9K

$198K

How much do patent portfolio manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for patent portfolio manager in the United States is $119,876.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $95,500.00 and $140,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How to get a portfolio manager job?

To become a patent portfolio manager, candidates typically need a strong background in patent law, intellectual property management, or engineering, along with experience in patent strategy and portfolio development. Earning relevant certifications such as the Patent Bar or IP management credentials can enhance prospects, and skills in patent analytics tools and cross-disciplinary communication are valuable. A combination of technical expertise and legal knowledge is essential for success in this role.

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

To thrive as a Patent Portfolio Manager, you need a solid background in intellectual property law, patent prosecution, and a relevant technical field, typically supported by a science or engineering degree and often a law degree or patent agent registration. Familiarity with patent management software, databases, and tools for analytics and docketing is essential. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and excellent communication skills help you effectively protect and leverage IP assets and collaborate across teams. These skills are crucial for maximizing the value of an organization’s patent portfolio and ensuring strategic alignment with business goals.

What is the difference between Patent Portfolio Manager vs Patent Analyst?

AspectPatent Portfolio ManagerPatent Analyst
CredentialsTypically requires a technical degree, patent law knowledge, and experience in patent managementUsually holds a technical degree, often with some knowledge of patent law or IP analysis
Work EnvironmentManages patent portfolios, collaborates with legal and R&D teams, strategic planningConducts patent searches, analyzes patent data, supports patent filing and prosecution
Industry UsageCommon in tech, pharmaceuticals, and R&D-heavy industriesUsed across similar industries for patent landscape analysis and research

The Patent Portfolio Manager focuses on strategic management and optimization of patent assets, while the Patent Analyst primarily conducts patent research and analysis to support patent filing and legal decisions. Both roles require technical backgrounds but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What is a patent portfolio manager?

A patent portfolio manager is a professional responsible for overseeing a company's collection of patents, ensuring strategic management, protection, and monetization of intellectual property assets. They analyze patent data, coordinate with legal teams, and develop strategies to maximize the value of the patent portfolio, often using patent management tools and requiring knowledge of patent law and industry trends.

Are IP lawyers in high demand?

Patent Portfolio Managers and IP lawyers are in high demand due to the increasing importance of intellectual property rights in innovation-driven industries. They often require specialized legal knowledge, technical expertise, and certifications, making their skills valuable in both legal and corporate environments. The demand is expected to grow as companies seek to protect their inventions and patents globally.

How does a Patent Portfolio Manager typically collaborate with R&D and legal teams?

A Patent Portfolio Manager plays a key liaison role between research and development (R&D) teams and legal departments. They work closely with R&D to identify innovative ideas and assess their patentability, ensuring that valuable inventions are protected. Simultaneously, they coordinate with legal professionals to oversee the drafting, filing, and prosecution of patent applications, as well as manage responses to office actions. This collaborative approach helps align intellectual property strategies with business goals and ensures compliance with relevant patent laws.

Will patent agents be replaced by AI?

Patent agents perform tasks such as drafting and prosecuting patent applications, which require legal expertise and understanding of complex technical details. While AI tools can assist with prior art searches and document review, they are unlikely to fully replace patent agents due to the need for legal judgment, strategic advice, and client interaction.

What does a Patent Portfolio Manager do?

A Patent Portfolio Manager is responsible for overseeing and managing an organization's collection of patents. Their duties include evaluating existing patents, identifying new invention opportunities, ensuring legal compliance, and developing strategies to maximize the value of the patent portfolio. They also coordinate with inventors, legal teams, and business units to align intellectual property (IP) strategy with the company's business goals. Effective portfolio management can help companies protect their innovations and gain a competitive edge in the market.
More about Patent Portfolio Manager jobs
What cities are hiring for Patent Portfolio Manager jobs? Cities with the most Patent Portfolio Manager job openings:
What states have the most Patent Portfolio Manager jobs? States with the most job openings for Patent Portfolio Manager jobs include:
Infographic showing various Patent Portfolio Manager job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 25% Full Time, 25% Temporary, and 50% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 9% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $119,876 per year, or $57.6 per hour.
Patent Portfolio Manager

Patent Portfolio Manager

Apple

Cupertino, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago


Apple rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 661 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 30 rated technology retailers


Job description

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of quickly becoming great products, services, and customer experiences. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish.. .Do you enjoy taking on bold new challenges? Do you possess a deep knowledge of the legal field and a passion for innovation? We uphold Apple's high ethical and corporate standards, and defend Apple's intellectual property. You'll provide legal support for our world-class products. Working for a company that invents new product categories and creates new industries means you'll be challenged to creatively apply your extensive legal expertise to rare and often unexplored aspects of the law..
We seek to hire a Patent Agent or Patent Attorney to assist in developing and curating the company's hardware and mechanical patent portfolio. You will work with the mechanical engineering and design groups, as well as business teams to build and purposefully prosecute the associated worldwide patent portfolio and strategy. This includes identifying patentable inventions; securing high-quality, strategic patent assets; providing expert technical and legal analysis; handling patent challenges; providing guidance in support of patent transactions and licensing matters; assigning and managing work performed by outside law firms; and working with engineering and other business organizations to understand priorities and challenges. This position also will provide cross-functional support for acquisition due diligence, IP licensing, enforcement, and litigation activities.
USPTO Registered Patent Agent or Patent Attorney.Education: BS or higher degree in mechanical engineering or related field.5+ years of patent-focused work experience drafting and prosecuting patent assets, managing portfolios, developing patent strategies, conducting patent analysis, and providing support for transactions and litigation efforts. 3+ years of work experience patenting primarily mechanical related technologies at a law firm and/or in-house legal department.Excellent verbal and written communication.
Preferred candidates will appreciate how mechanical structures integrate with product design and interface with electrical components, including, for example, haptic engines, sensor packaging, acoustic chambers, etc.Strong technology interest with a curiosity for working with AI tools in patent prosecution related tasks and strategies.Experience analyzing a variety of mechanical related disciplines, (product design, kinematics, thermal management, material sciences, advanced manufacturing processes).

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About Apple

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, intelligent people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same real passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our dedication to leave the world better than we found it.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cupertino, CA, US

Year founded

1976