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Patents Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Unified Patents

Intern

San Jose, CA · On-site +1

$17.50 - $23.50/hr

Unified Patents is a member-based organization that seeks to deter NPE litigation within its protected zones of technology. Unified accomplishes this goal in a variety of ways. One way is by filing ...

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How much do patents jobs pay per year?

As of May 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for patents in the United States is $144,009.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $117,500.00 and $169,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 strong background in law and a technical or scientific field, typically supported by a law degree and passing the patent bar exam. Familiarity with patent search databases, intellectual property management systems, and legal research tools is crucial. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and excellent written communication distinguish top performers in this role. These skills ensure the effective protection of clients’ inventions and compliance with complex legal standards in intellectual property law.

What are some common challenges faced by patent professionals when working with inventors and research teams?

Patent professionals often work closely with inventors and research teams to accurately capture the technical details and novelty of an invention. A common challenge is translating complex scientific or technical concepts into clear, legally robust patent applications. Additionally, coordinating input from multiple stakeholders and ensuring all aspects of an invention are disclosed can be time-consuming. Effective communication and project management skills are essential to navigate these challenges and meet filing deadlines.

What are patents?

Patents are legal rights granted by a government to inventors, giving them the exclusive right to make, use, sell, and import an invention for a certain period of time, typically 20 years from the filing date. Patents protect new inventions or processes and prevent others from using the invention without permission. To obtain a patent, the invention must be novel, non-obvious, and useful. Patents encourage innovation by allowing inventors to benefit financially from their work while eventually contributing their inventions to the public domain.

What is the difference between Patents vs Patent Attorneys?

AspectPatentsPatent Attorneys
CredentialsTypically require technical degrees, sometimes patent agent registrationRequire technical degrees and law degrees, plus bar admission
Work EnvironmentResearch, invention disclosure, patent draftingLegal advising, patent application process, client consultations
Industry UsageInventors, R&D departments, patent officesLaw firms, corporate legal teams, patent offices

Patents are legal rights granted for inventions, often held by inventors or companies. Patent attorneys are legal professionals specializing in patent law, helping clients secure and defend patent rights. While patents focus on the technical aspect of inventions, patent attorneys handle the legal process of patent application and litigation. Both roles are essential in the patent ecosystem, with patents representing the rights and patent attorneys providing legal expertise.

More about Patents jobs
What cities are hiring for Patents jobs? Cities with the most Patents job openings:
What states have the most Patents jobs? States with the most job openings for Patents jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Patents jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Patents jobs are:
Patents jobs near you
Infographic showing various Patents job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 95% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $144,009 per year, or $69.2 per hour.

Intern

Unified Patents

San Jose, CA • On-site, Remote

$17.50 - $23.50/hr

Part-time

Posted 29 days ago

Job description

Unified is now accepting applications for legal internship and fellowship positions for assisting with its legal and database activities (including PATROLL prior art search contests). A technical background is highly preferred, although some training will be given (e.g., how to search for prior art). Experience with Excel and/or Google Sheets is a must. Interns and fellows will potentially have the ability to assist with reeexamination analytics and drafting of papers in EPR proceedings.

We offer flexibility and the option to work remotely. Internships can be paid or unpaid based on experience. During the position, there will be opportunities to win prize money for contests to find successful prior art on specific patents.

Unified Patents is a member-based organization that seeks to deter NPE litigation within its protected zones of technology. Unified accomplishes this goal in a variety of ways. One way is by filing ex partes reexamination proceedings (EPRs) challenging the validity of NPE-controlled patents. In addition, Unified provides a variety of patent and reexamination data to assist companies in making informed licensing and litigation decisions. Unified also makes this data available to the public for independent study or research.

Requirements

Experience with MS Excel, Google Sheets

JD candidate or graduate

  • Highly preferred to have completed at least one intellectual property course

Undergraduate degree in a field of science or engineering highly preferred

Experience with prior art searching and analysis preferred

Apply