Merck
Merck

3 Merck Patent Agent Jobs Hiring Near You

Patent Counsel

Rahway, NJ · On-site

$210.40 - $331.10/hr

... practicing patent agent may be considered). * Strong technical background in chemical or biological sciences. * Excellent communication and analytical skills. Preferred Experience and Skills

... agent may be considered); Strong technical background in chemical or biological sciences; and ... Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does ...

... a practicing patent agent may be considered); * Strong technical background in chemical or ... Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does ...

Merck Jobs Information

Do workers at Merck get paid breaks?

Sometimes. Only some people get paid breaks.
46% of people say they don’t get paid breaks.
Based on data from 24 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and February 2026.

Does Merck pay people when they’re sick?

Yes. Most people get paid when they’re sick.
83% of people say they would get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.
Based on data from 46 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.

At Merck, are sick days and vacation days separate paid time off?

Sick days and vacation days are separate paid time off.
80% of people say they don’t have to use vacation days when they’re out sick.
Based on data from 25 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2025 and July 2026.

Is the health insurance from Merck affordable enough for their workers?

Most people say the health insurance costs are okay.
100% of people say the health insurance costs are okay
Based on data from 33 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2025 and July 2026.

Do people get paid time off at Merck?

Most people get paid time off work.
93% of people say they get paid time off.
Based on data from 28 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2025 and July 2026.

How far ahead of time do people find out their work schedule?

Most people find out their schedule less than four weeks ahead of time.
  • 38% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts one week or less ahead of time.
  • 25% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts two weeks ahead of time.
  • 13% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts three weeks ahead of time.
  • 25% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts four weeks or more ahead of time.

Based on data from 8 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and February 2026.

Do workers at Merck worry about hours?

Most people don’t worry about getting enough hours.
92% of people report they don’t worry about getting enough hours.
Based on data from 26 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.

Do Merck workers get to choose the shifts they work?

Some people don’t get to choose which shifts they work.
48% report that they don’t have enough control over which shifts they work.
Based on data from 23 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and February 2026.

How easy is it for Merck workers to change shifts?

Most people find it hard to change shifts.
73% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.
Based on data from 11 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.

How easy is it to get time off at Merck?

Most people find it easy to get time off.
86% of people report it’s easy to get time off.
Based on data from 44 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.

Do Merck managers change schedules at the last minute?

Most managers don’t change people’s schedules at the last minute.
93% of people say their manager doesn’t change their shift schedule at the last minute.
Based on data from 28 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.

Do jobs at Merck spill into time workers aren’t paid for?

Rarely. The job doesn't usually spill into unpaid time.
17% of people report that their job takes up time that they don’t get paid for.
Based on data from 30 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.

How easy is it to take sick days at Merck?

Most people find it easy to take sick days.
85% of people report that it’s easy to take time off if they are sick.
Based on data from 47 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.

Is working at Merck good if you’re a parent or caregiver?

Most parents and caregivers say this is a good place to work.
86% of people who care for a child or other relative report this is a good place to work.
Based on data from 22 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and July 2026.

Do people at Merck feel treated with respect by their managers?

Most people feel treated with respect by their managers.
80% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managers.
Based on data from 41 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.

Do people at Merck get to take their breaks without interruption?

Most people get breaks without interruption.
79% of people report that they get to take their breaks without interruption.
Based on data from 39 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.

Is it stressful to work at Merck?

Most people feel stressed here.
75% of people say they often feel stressed at work.
Based on data from 51 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.

Do people at Merck enjoy their jobs?

Most people enjoy their job.
76% of people report they enjoy their job.
Based on data from 37 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.

Do people at Merck recommend working with their team?

Only some people recommend working with their team.
43% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.
Based on data from 51 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.

Do people get enough training when they start at Merck?

Most people got enough training when they started.
77% of people report they got enough training when they started working here.
Based on data from 47 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.

Do people get support to advance at Merck?

Most people are given support to advance their career here.
In the last year, 67% of people report being given support to advance their career here.
Based on data from 46 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.

Do people think Merck’s headquarters understands what’s happening where they work?

Most people think headquarters doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.
82% of people think that this employer’s headquarters or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.
Based on data from 45 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.

Do workers feel well informed about how Merck is doing?

Only some people feel well informed about how the company is doing.
36% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.
Based on data from 44 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.
Infographic showing various Patent Agent job openings at Merck in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 99% Full Time, and 1% Part Time. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution.

Patent Counsel

Merck & Co.

Rahway, NJ • On-site

$210.40 - $331.10/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 29 days ago


Merck rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 51 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

43rd of 86 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

Job Description

Patent Attorney – Rahway, New Jersey

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled attorney to join our team in Rahway, New Jersey. In this role, you will work directly with our internal R&D team to identify inventions, conduct patentability assessments, and draft and prosecute patent applications for novel chemical and biological science inventions. The position supports programs from discovery through development and commercialization across multiple therapeutic areas and modalities, and provides interaction with discovery, development, manufacturing, regulatory, business development, commercial, and other legal functions.

Responsibilities
  • Develop a patenting strategy with product development teams to build robust portfolios for cutting‑edge biopharmaceutical products.
  • Draft and prosecute patent applications related to the company's products, candidates, and platform technologies on a global basis.
  • Collaborate with internal litigation colleagues to support oppositions and other proceedings related to supported programs.
  • Work with a large team of in‑house U.S. and European patent attorneys, paralegals, legal operations staff, and local agents.
  • Conduct freedom‑to‑operate analyses for the company’s R&D activities.
  • Support business development activities (e.g., research collaborations and acquisitions) by conducting IP due diligence, counseling on IP expectations, and supporting drafting and negotiation of related agreements.
  • Travel domestically and internationally as required.
Minimum Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in biological, pharmaceutical, or chemical sciences from an accredited institution.
  • Graduate of an accredited U.S. law school.
  • Registered to practice before the USPTO.
  • Member in good standing of at least one state or the District of Columbia bar.
  • Five (5) or more years of experience as an attorney in a law firm or corporate setting, drafting and prosecuting pharmaceutical or biological patent applications (time accrued as a practicing patent agent may be considered).
  • Strong technical background in chemical or biological sciences.
  • Excellent communication and analytical skills.
Preferred Experience and Skills
  • Advanced degree in biological or chemical sciences.
  • Experience counseling clients on intellectual property issues.
  • Experience prioritizing work and managing a significant workload.
  • Ability to build partnerships and work in cross‑functional teams.
  • Ability to communicate competently and confidently with R&D clients, business partners, and senior leaders.
  • Ability to exercise judgment on routine and non‑routine matters in legal practice.
  • Proactive initiative and ability to take ownership.
Benefits and Compensation

Salary range: $210,400.00 – $331,100.00. Eligible for annual bonus and long‑term incentive (if applicable). Comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, retirement (401(k)), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days.

Travel, Relocation and Work Arrangement

Domestic travel: 10%. Relocation: Domestic. Hybrid work arrangement. Shift: 1st – Day.

EEO Statement

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other legally protected characteristics. We are a federal contractor and comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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