Barnes & Thornburg
IP Mechanical/Electrical Engineering Patent Agent
Raleigh · 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
Prepare and prosecute U.S. and international patent applications for consumer electronics hardware and electromechanical inventions, while supporting patent analyses, portfolio matters, and related proceedings.
What you'll do
- Draft and prosecute patent applications, respond to USPTO Office Actions, and coordinate prosecution strategy.
- 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.
What they ask for
- Registration in good standing before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.
- Demonstrated experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications in both mechanical and electrical engineering subject matter.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to manage a substantial docket and competing deadlines.
Nice to have
- Substantive familiarity with wireless device hardware.
- Experience with patent clearance and freedom-to-operate projects.
Tools
USPTO
Model-written summary · the original posting is authoritative