Barnes & Thornburg
IP Mechanical/Electrical Engineering Patent Agent
$100K–$175K
Minneapolis · Full-time · Posted Aug 18, 2026
- Experience
- 3–5 years of patent prosecution experience; preferably at a large law firm or boutique IP firm.
- Education
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.
About the job
Prepares and prosecutes U.S. and international patents for consumer electronics hardware and electromechanical systems, while supporting patent analyses and portfolio matters.
What you'll do
- Draft and prosecute patent applications, respond to USPTO Office Actions, and coordinate prosecution strategy with partners and clients.
- Conduct prior art searches and support patentability, freedom-to-operate, invalidity, and clearance analyses.
- Support due diligence and post-grant proceedings, conduct inventor interviews, and manage docket deadlines and records.
What they ask for
- Registration in good standing before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.
- 3–5 years of patent prosecution experience.
- Experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications in both mechanical and electrical engineering subject matter.
Nice to have
- Familiarity with wireless device hardware and experience with patent clearance or freedom-to-operate projects.
- Advanced degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a closely related field.
Pay
USD 100K – USD 175K base salary
Tools
consumer electronics hardware, electromechanical systems, wireless device hardware, smartphones, tablets, wearables, USPTO, inter partes review
Model-written summary · the original posting is authoritative