Intellectual Property Administrator Internships
Intellectual property administrator internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience managing patent filings, trademark records, and IP docketing systems, mentorship from working intellectual property administrators, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across {{top_industries_phrase}}, with BAE Systems USA, Textron Systems, and Type One Energy among the employers posting roles now.
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See related jobsWhat Your Job Will Be Like
We are seeking a Business Graduate Intern to join our Agreements team!
On any given day, you may be called on to:
- Support ongoing operational activities (e.g. invoicing, tracking, customer relations, etc.)
- Learn and utilize intellectual property management software for monthly data analysis and reporting
- Interface with internal/external stakeholders during contract facilitation
- Demonstrate attention to detail through review of contracts and in communication
The selected applicant can work a combination of onsite and offsite work. The selected applicant must live within a reasonable distance for commuting to the assigned work location when necessary.
Salary Range
At Sandia, we value the important work done by our interns and its contribution to National Security. Because of this, our interns earn competitive pay rates. Our pay structure is based on earned credit hours, classification, and degree level. Your pay rate will be determined during the hire process and included in your offer package. You can view the Intern Pay Rate chart here.
Qualifications We Require
You bring the confidence and skills to be eligible for the job by meeting these minimum requirements:
- Earned bachelor's degree
- Currently attending and enrolled full time in a related accredited graduate program
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0
- Ability to work up to 30 hours per week during the academic year, and up to 40 hours per week during the summer
- U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, asylees or refugees in the U.S.
Qualifications We Desire
- Pursuing a Business Degree or related field
- Experience with Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint, Word, and Excel
- Experience conducting research utilizing the web
- Excellent written communications
- Attention to detail
- Experience with business and marketing concepts
- Experience with data analysis, including statistical analysis
Posting Duration
This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.
About Our Team
The Technology Partnership Agreements, Licensing, and Intellectual Property (IP) Department 1982 is responsible for negotiating and executing CRADA, NFE and Licensing agreements, and managing and deploying Sandia's IP portfolio.
About Sandia
Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:
- Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
- Extraordinary co-workers
- Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
- Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
- Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
- Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*
World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov
- These benefits vary by job classification.
Security Clearance
This position does not currently require a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance.
Sandia will conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Furthermore, employees in New Mexico need to pass a U.S. Air Force background screen for access to Kirtland Air Force Base. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause access to be denied or terminated, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. Under federal law, citizens and agents of the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea, and the Russian Federation are generally prohibited from accessing Sandia National Laboratories. Accordingly, such individuals will not be considered for employment unless they are also a citizen of the United States.
If hired without a clearance and it subsequently becomes necessary to obtain and maintain one for the position, or you bid on positions that require a clearance, a pre-processing background review may be conducted prior to a required federal background investigation. Applicants for a DOE security clearance need to be U.S. citizens. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.
Members of the workforce (MOWs) hired at Sandia who require uncleared access for greater than 179 days during their employment, are required to go through the Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) process. Access includes physical and/or cyber (logical) access, as well as remote access to any NNSA information technology (IT) systems. UPIV requirements are not applicable to individuals who require a DOE personnel security clearance for the performance of their SNL employment or to foreign nationals. The UPIV process will include the completion of a USAccess Enrollment, SF-85 (Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions) and OF-306 (Declaration of for Federal Employment). An unfavorable UPIV determination will result in immediate retrieval of the SNL issued badge, removal of cyber (logical) access and/or removal from SNL subcontract. All MOWs may appeal the unfavorable UPIV determination to DOE/NNSA immediately. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the MOW may try to go through the UPIV process one year after the decision date.
EEO
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.
NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs
If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.
If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.
What Your Job Will Be Like
We are seeking a Business Graduate Intern to join our Agreements team!
On any given day, you may be called on to:
- Support ongoing operational activities (e.g. invoicing, tracking, customer relations, etc.)
- Learn and utilize intellectual property management software for monthly data analysis and reporting
- Interface with internal/external stakeholders during contract facilitation
- Demonstrate attention to detail through review of contracts and in communication
The selected applicant can work a combination of onsite and offsite work. The selected applicant must live within a reasonable distance for commuting to the assigned work location when necessary.
Salary Range
At Sandia, we value the important work done by our interns and its contribution to National Security. Because of this, our interns earn competitive pay rates. Our pay structure is based on earned credit hours, classification, and degree level. Your pay rate will be determined during the hire process and included in your offer package. You can view the Intern Pay Rate chart here.
Qualifications We Require
You bring the confidence and skills to be eligible for the job by meeting these minimum requirements:
- Earned bachelor's degree
- Currently attending and enrolled full time in a related accredited graduate program
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0
- Ability to work up to 30 hours per week during the academic year, and up to 40 hours per week during the summer
- U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, asylees or refugees in the U.S.
Qualifications We Desire
- Pursuing a Business Degree or related field
- Experience with Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint, Word, and Excel
- Experience conducting research utilizing the web
- Excellent written communications
- Attention to detail
- Experience with business and marketing concepts
- Experience with data analysis, including statistical analysis
Posting Duration
This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.
About Our Team
The Technology Partnership Agreements, Licensing, and Intellectual Property (IP) Department 1982 is responsible for negotiating and executing CRADA, NFE and Licensing agreements, and managing and deploying Sandia's IP portfolio.
About Sandia
Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:
- Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
- Extraordinary co-workers
- Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
- Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
- Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
- Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*
World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov
- These benefits vary by job classification.
Security Clearance
This position does not currently require a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance.
Sandia will conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Furthermore, employees in New Mexico need to pass a U.S. Air Force background screen for access to Kirtland Air Force Base. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause access to be denied or terminated, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. Under federal law, citizens and agents of the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea, and the Russian Federation are generally prohibited from accessing Sandia National Laboratories. Accordingly, such individuals will not be considered for employment unless they are also a citizen of the United States.
If hired without a clearance and it subsequently becomes necessary to obtain and maintain one for the position, or you bid on positions that require a clearance, a pre-processing background review may be conducted prior to a required federal background investigation. Applicants for a DOE security clearance need to be U.S. citizens. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.
Members of the workforce (MOWs) hired at Sandia who require uncleared access for greater than 179 days during their employment, are required to go through the Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) process. Access includes physical and/or cyber (logical) access, as well as remote access to any NNSA information technology (IT) systems. UPIV requirements are not applicable to individuals who require a DOE personnel security clearance for the performance of their SNL employment or to foreign nationals. The UPIV process will include the completion of a USAccess Enrollment, SF-85 (Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions) and OF-306 (Declaration of for Federal Employment). An unfavorable UPIV determination will result in immediate retrieval of the SNL issued badge, removal of cyber (logical) access and/or removal from SNL subcontract. All MOWs may appeal the unfavorable UPIV determination to DOE/NNSA immediately. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the MOW may try to go through the UPIV process one year after the decision date.
EEO
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.
NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs
If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.
If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.
Intellectual Property Administrator Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Tips for Your Intellectual Property Administrator Internship Search
Apply months before the start date
Large law firms, pharmaceutical companies, and technology employers fill summer intellectual property administrator intern cohorts the preceding fall. If you wait until spring, the structured programs are already closed. Smaller companies and co-op positions post closer to start dates, so search regularly throughout the year and act on roles as soon as they match your profile.
Build a docketing or filing sample now
Hiring teams for intellectual property administrator internships want something concrete to assess. Create a mock patent docketing log, a trademark deadline tracking spreadsheet, or a documented IP file management workflow using tools like Excel, docketing software, or a database. Include the tools you used and be ready to walk through your process in an interview.
Work your campus network alongside direct applications
Campus career fairs surface structured intellectual property administrator programs tied to your university, and professors teaching IP law or paralegal courses often know which employers recruit from your school before roles appear publicly. Apply directly to companies running smaller cohorts at the same time so you reach employers who do not attend university events.
Practice explaining IP processes out loud
Intellectual property administrator intern screens often include scenario questions about handling a docketing deadline, catching a filing error, or managing conflicting priorities across a patent portfolio. Practice answering these out loud before your interview, walking through your reasoning step by step, since interviewers weigh how you think through a problem as much as the answer you reach.
Target structured IP internship pipelines early
Larger law firms and pharmaceutical companies run formal intellectual property administrator intern cohorts designed to train candidates new to the field. These programs recruit early, fill fast, and often include mentorship and rotation across IP functions. Identify the ones that fit your background and submit in the first wave, well before the general application deadline.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 50% of the intellectual property administrator internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you start sorting through openings. Filtering by location and work type upfront means you spend time on roles you can actually accept, and you catch remote or hybrid postings before they close.
Intellectual Property Administrator Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an intellectual property administrator internship?
Lead with coursework and projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. For intellectual property administrator candidates, the concrete artifact is a documented docketing sample, a mock patent filing workflow, or a case study showing how you organized and tracked IP records. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can an intellectual property administrator internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. For intellectual property administrator interns, what drives it is consistent accuracy on real docketing or filing work, team headcount at the end of the summer, and how early the return-offer conversation starts. Position yourself by delivering clean work and asking about full-time needs, without counting on a specific outcome.
When should I apply for intellectual property administrator internships?
Earlier than most students expect. Large law firms, pharmaceutical companies, and technology employers recruit summer intellectual property administrator interns the preceding fall, sometimes as early as September or October. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly and applying as soon as a role matches your profile gives you the best shot.
Are intellectual property administrator internships paid?
Most professional intellectual property administrator internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and many listings show it where the employer chooses to disclose it. Unpaid arrangements are more common at very small firms or in certain non-profit settings, so read each listing carefully and factor in location costs when evaluating offers.
What should an intellectual property administrator internship resume include?
Lead with two or three documented projects, not work history. For intellectual property administrator candidates, that means a mock patent docketing exercise, a trademark records spreadsheet, or a case study showing IP file management, each listing the tools used and linking to or describing the output. Add relevant coursework in IP law, business administration, or paralegal studies. Keep the resume to one page.
Are there remote intellectual property administrator internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 50% of the intellectual property administrator internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast because they draw applicants from anywhere in the country, so apply early once a role matches your skills. Use the work-type filter to see only remote or hybrid openings and avoid sorting through positions you cannot take.
Can international students get intellectual property administrator internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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