Patent Examiner Jobs
Patent Examiner jobs are open across government agencies, private law firms, and corporate IP departments, from entry-level to supervisory grades, with specializations in electrical engineering, biotechnology, and mechanical systems. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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The ideal candidate will have:
- A bachelor’s or advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related technical field.
- Eligibility to sit for the USPTO patent bar; current USPTO registration is preferred but not required.
- An interest in patent prosecution, patent analysis, freedom to operate analysis, and related intellectual property matters.
- Patent prosecution experience is a plus but not required. Candidates with a litigation background who are interested in transitioning to a patent prosecution and analysis-focused practice are encouraged to apply.
- Strong legal research and analytical skills, including experience with Westlaw or comparable legal research tools.
- Strong academic credentials and excellent written and oral communication skills.
- For practicing attorneys, admission to a state bar in the relevant jurisdiction, or the ability to promptly waive in, as applicable.
We are looking for a collaborative, motivated associate who thrives in a client-focused, team-oriented environment. If you are looking for an opportunity with a growing, collaborative firm, we encourage you to apply online and include a cover letter, resume, writing sample, academic transcript(s), and a law school transcript.
Faegre Drinker is committed to fostering flexibility while maintaining a collaborative and client-focused environment. Our in-office work policy asks all attorneys, consulting professionals and paraprofessionals to work from a Faegre Drinker office three days per week, striking a balance between in-person collaboration, relationship-building, and exceptional client service, while also supporting individual flexibility and work-life balance.
The anticipated initial annual salary range for someone who is hired into this position is $175,000 – $245,000.
Actual initial salary may be above or below the above-identified range and will be based on the relevant skills, training, experience, and other job-related factors, including the location of where the position is filled and consistent with applicable law. The initial salary range listed above is just one component of Faegre Drinker's total compensation and benefits package for attorneys, which includes, but is not limited to, productivity and discretionary bonuses; life, health, accident and disability insurance; and a 401(k) plan.
In alignment with applicable Colorado state law, applications for this role will be accepted through May 1, 2027.
Please contact Emily Coveyou, Associate Recruiting Manager, at emily.coveyou@faegredrinker.com with any questions.
The ideal candidate will have:
- A bachelor’s or advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related technical field.
- Eligibility to sit for the USPTO patent bar; current USPTO registration is preferred but not required.
- An interest in patent prosecution, patent analysis, freedom to operate analysis, and related intellectual property matters.
- Patent prosecution experience is a plus but not required. Candidates with a litigation background who are interested in transitioning to a patent prosecution and analysis-focused practice are encouraged to apply.
- Strong legal research and analytical skills, including experience with Westlaw or comparable legal research tools.
- Strong academic credentials and excellent written and oral communication skills.
- For practicing attorneys, admission to a state bar in the relevant jurisdiction, or the ability to promptly waive in, as applicable.
We are looking for a collaborative, motivated associate who thrives in a client-focused, team-oriented environment. If you are looking for an opportunity with a growing, collaborative firm, we encourage you to apply online and include a cover letter, resume, writing sample, academic transcript(s), and a law school transcript.
Faegre Drinker is committed to fostering flexibility while maintaining a collaborative and client-focused environment. Our in-office work policy asks all attorneys, consulting professionals and paraprofessionals to work from a Faegre Drinker office three days per week, striking a balance between in-person collaboration, relationship-building, and exceptional client service, while also supporting individual flexibility and work-life balance.
The anticipated initial annual salary range for someone who is hired into this position is $175,000 – $245,000.
Actual initial salary may be above or below the above-identified range and will be based on the relevant skills, training, experience, and other job-related factors, including the location of where the position is filled and consistent with applicable law. The initial salary range listed above is just one component of Faegre Drinker's total compensation and benefits package for attorneys, which includes, but is not limited to, productivity and discretionary bonuses; life, health, accident and disability insurance; and a 401(k) plan.
In alignment with applicable Colorado state law, applications for this role will be accepted through May 1, 2027.
Please contact Emily Coveyou, Associate Recruiting Manager, at emily.coveyou@faegredrinker.com with any questions.
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Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Law & Legal Services
- Staffing & Recruiting
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Science & Research
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in patent examiner jobs.
- Bachelor's degree or higher in engineering, biology, chemistry, physics, or a related technical field
- Experience conducting prior art searches using patent classification systems and technical databases
- Ability to read and analyze complex patent claims, specifications, and technical drawings
- Strong written communication skills for drafting office actions and examination reports
- Familiarity with USPTO examination guidelines or equivalent patent prosecution procedures
- Attention to detail and analytical reasoning skills applied to technical subject matter
Tips for Your Patent Examiner Job Search
Tailor your resume to art units
Patent examiners are hired into specific art units tied to technology classifications. List your technical field first, then map your engineering or scientific background to the USPTO classification system so hiring managers instantly see where you fit.
Highlight your prior art search skills
Employers expect candidates to demonstrate hands-on experience searching patent databases. Call out any work with patent classification systems, Boolean search logic, or technical literature review. Generic research experience won't stand out the way field-specific search experience does.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists patent examiner openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Get your technical credentials front-loaded
A STEM degree in a relevant discipline is the baseline. If yours is adjacent rather than exact, pair it with published work, patents you've prosecuted, or graduate coursework that maps clearly to the technology area the posting specifies.
Prepare for a technical interview, not a behavioral one
Patent examiner interviews lean heavily on your ability to analyze a hypothetical claim set and explain patentability. Practice walking through novelty and obviousness analysis out loud so you can articulate your reasoning step by step under interview conditions.
Negotiate grade level, not just salary
Federal and corporate patent examiner roles often post a grade or level range. Your classification can affect long-term earning far more than a one-time offer adjustment, so come in with documentation of your technical experience that supports the highest grade you can justify.
Patent Examiner Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most patent examiners?
Clarivate, AbbVie, and Kean Miller LLP are hiring the most patent examiners right now, with openings concentrated in New York, California, and Virginia, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Roles range from entry-level examiner positions to senior and supervisory grades across multiple technology art units.
How many patent examiner jobs are remote?
About 77% of patent examiner openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with remote work most common in roles focused on electrical, software, and biotechnology art units where technical documentation can be reviewed and processed entirely online. Positions requiring in-person collaboration with patent attorneys or lab teams tend to be on-site or hybrid.
How do you become a patent examiner?
Start by earning a degree in a technical field such as electrical engineering, computer science, chemistry, biology, or mechanical engineering. Apply to open examiner positions at the USPTO or with private IP firms, emphasizing your ability to analyze technical claims and conduct prior art searches. New examiners typically complete structured on-the-job training covering examination procedures, classification systems, and patentability standards before working independently.
Can you get hired as a patent examiner with little experience?
Yes, entry-level patent examiner roles are designed for candidates with strong technical degrees and limited professional experience. Employers value your ability to understand the underlying technology more than years of work history. Highlighting academic research, senior capstone projects, lab work, or coursework directly tied to a patent-active technology area can make a competitive application even without prior IP or legal experience.
What does the patent examiner interview process look like?
Most patent examiner interviews begin with a technical screen to assess your grasp of the relevant technology field. This is followed by a structured interview covering your research and analytical approach, often including a scenario where you work through a sample claim set to demonstrate how you assess novelty and non-obviousness. Some employers add a written exercise before the final hiring decision.
Where can I find and apply to patent examiner jobs?
You can find and apply to patent examiner jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search for roles that match your technical background and seniority level, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 117+ Patent Examiner Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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