Patent Agent Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Patent agent jobs in the U.S. require a technical degree and USPTO registration, which makes H-1B visa sponsorship the standard path for international candidates. Employers file a Labor Condition Application before you can start, and your registration number must be active before your petition is approved.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
At ZOLL, we're passionate about improving patient outcomes and helping save lives. We provide innovative technologies that make a meaningful difference in people's lives. Our medical devices, software and related services are used worldwide to diagnose and treat patients suffering from serious cardiopulmonary and respiratory conditions.
JOB SUMMARY
Patent Agent will join ZOLL’s growing in-house intellectual property team, based at the company’s headquarters in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, with hybrid work arrangements available. In this role, the individual will be primarily responsible for drafting and prosecuting U.S. patent applications supporting ZOLL’s Acute Care Technology Division. A successful candidate in this position will take a leading role in managing a multi-faceted patent portfolio and collaborate closely with engineers and technical teams to identify, evaluate and develop inventions for patent protection. This position requires proactive engagement in the invention capture process, as well has excellent drafting skills to ensure high-quality patent filings aligned with ZOLL’s competitive product offerings and next-generation products.
The position will report to ZOLL's Head of Intellectual Property for the Acute Care Technology Division.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Strategic patent portfolio development, including preparation and prosecution of patent applications, participating in and leading brainstorming sessions, preparation of new ideas for consideration by ZOLL’s IP review committee, and other patent generation and management activities, as needed.
REQUIRED/PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor's Degree with 5+ years of relevant experience or Graduate Degree (Master’s or higher) with 3+ years of relevant experience – Required
- Registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office – Required
- Background in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering and/or computer science/software – Required
- At least 3-5 years of experience in preparing and prosecuting patent applications with a law firm or corporation, including drafting patent applications – Required
- Experience in managing patent portfolios, at a law firm or corporation – Required
- Background in medical devices – Preferred
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Ability to understand, analyze, and communicate complex technologies in oral and written form
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate clearly and concisely
- Strong skills in patent and prior art searching and monitoring
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- Standing - Occasionally
- Walking - Occasionally
- Sitting - Frequently
- Talking - Occasionally
- Hearing - Occasionally
- Repetitive Motions - Frequently
ZOLL is a fast-growing company that operates in more than 140 countries around the world. Our employees are inspired by a commitment to make a difference in patients' lives, and our culture values innovation, self-motivation and an entrepreneurial spirit. Join us in our efforts to improve outcomes for underserved patients suffering from critical cardiopulmonary conditions and help save more lives.
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $145,000.00 to $175,000.00
This position is eligible for an annual bonus in accordance with the company's bonus plan. Factors which may affect starting salary include geography, skills, education, experience, and other qualifications of the successful candidate. Details of ZOLL's comprehensive benefits plans can be found at www.zollbenefits.com.
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until this position is filled. For fully remote positions, compensation will comply with all applicable federal, state, and local wage laws, including minimum wage requirements, based on the employee’s primary work location.
EEO STATEMENT
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
ADA
The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
INTRODUCTION
At ZOLL, we're passionate about improving patient outcomes and helping save lives. We provide innovative technologies that make a meaningful difference in people's lives. Our medical devices, software and related services are used worldwide to diagnose and treat patients suffering from serious cardiopulmonary and respiratory conditions.
JOB SUMMARY
Patent Agent will join ZOLL’s growing in-house intellectual property team, based at the company’s headquarters in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, with hybrid work arrangements available. In this role, the individual will be primarily responsible for drafting and prosecuting U.S. patent applications supporting ZOLL’s Acute Care Technology Division. A successful candidate in this position will take a leading role in managing a multi-faceted patent portfolio and collaborate closely with engineers and technical teams to identify, evaluate and develop inventions for patent protection. This position requires proactive engagement in the invention capture process, as well has excellent drafting skills to ensure high-quality patent filings aligned with ZOLL’s competitive product offerings and next-generation products.
The position will report to ZOLL's Head of Intellectual Property for the Acute Care Technology Division.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Strategic patent portfolio development, including preparation and prosecution of patent applications, participating in and leading brainstorming sessions, preparation of new ideas for consideration by ZOLL’s IP review committee, and other patent generation and management activities, as needed.
REQUIRED/PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor's Degree with 5+ years of relevant experience or Graduate Degree (Master’s or higher) with 3+ years of relevant experience – Required
- Registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office – Required
- Background in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering and/or computer science/software – Required
- At least 3-5 years of experience in preparing and prosecuting patent applications with a law firm or corporation, including drafting patent applications – Required
- Experience in managing patent portfolios, at a law firm or corporation – Required
- Background in medical devices – Preferred
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Ability to understand, analyze, and communicate complex technologies in oral and written form
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate clearly and concisely
- Strong skills in patent and prior art searching and monitoring
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- Standing - Occasionally
- Walking - Occasionally
- Sitting - Frequently
- Talking - Occasionally
- Hearing - Occasionally
- Repetitive Motions - Frequently
ZOLL is a fast-growing company that operates in more than 140 countries around the world. Our employees are inspired by a commitment to make a difference in patients' lives, and our culture values innovation, self-motivation and an entrepreneurial spirit. Join us in our efforts to improve outcomes for underserved patients suffering from critical cardiopulmonary conditions and help save more lives.
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $145,000.00 to $175,000.00
This position is eligible for an annual bonus in accordance with the company's bonus plan. Factors which may affect starting salary include geography, skills, education, experience, and other qualifications of the successful candidate. Details of ZOLL's comprehensive benefits plans can be found at www.zollbenefits.com.
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until this position is filled. For fully remote positions, compensation will comply with all applicable federal, state, and local wage laws, including minimum wage requirements, based on the employee’s primary work location.
EEO STATEMENT
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
ADA
The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
See all 32+ Patent Agent Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Patent Agent roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Patent Agent Jobs
Verify your USPTO registration status first
Your USPTO registration number must be active and in good standing before any employer can file your H-1B petition. USCIS will reject a petition for a patent agent role if the registration has lapsed or is listed as inactive.
Match your degree to patent agent requirements
USPTO registration requires a qualifying scientific or technical bachelor's degree. Pull your O*NET profile for this occupation to confirm your specific field aligns, since degrees in business or the humanities will disqualify you from the registration exam and the sponsorship pathway.
Target law firms with active LCA filing history
IP boutiques and large firm patent prosecution groups file LCAs regularly for patent agents. Use Migrate Mate to identify employers with verified sponsorship history in this occupation, so you're applying to firms already set up to run the process.
Expect a prevailing wage anchored to your tech background
Your LCA wage level is set by your degree field and experience, not just the agent title. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up prevailing wages for your specific scientific discipline, since patent agents with electrical engineering backgrounds often land at a different wage level than those with chemistry degrees.
Ask about PERM before accepting an offer
Some patent law firms sponsor patent agents for EB-2 green cards through PERM after the H-1B period. Confirm whether the firm has run PERM for this role before, since firms without that experience can stall your long-term status even after sponsoring your initial visa.
Time your exam registration around your visa timeline
If you're on OPT or STEM OPT, start your USPTO registration exam process early. The exam application, approval, and scheduling can take several months, and you need active registration in hand before an employer can submit your H-1B petition with USCIS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do patent agents qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes. Patent agent roles qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B rules because they require at least a bachelor's degree in a specific scientific or technical field. USCIS also expects you to hold an active USPTO registration number, which serves as additional evidence that the role meets specialty occupation standards.
What degree do I need for a sponsored patent agent job?
USPTO requires a qualifying bachelor's degree in a recognized technical field, such as electrical engineering, chemistry, biology, computer science, or physics, to sit the patent bar exam. USCIS will evaluate whether your specific degree directly relates to the patent agent duties your employer describes in the LCA and I-129 petition.
Can I work as a patent agent on OPT before an employer sponsors my H-1B?
Yes, as long as your patent agent role directly relates to your degree field and you're within your authorized OPT period. If your degree is in a STEM field on the DHS STEM-designated degree list, you may also qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you more time before your employer needs to file an H-1B petition.
Which types of employers sponsor patent agents for visas?
IP law firms handling patent prosecution are the most active sponsors, alongside in-house patent departments at technology, pharmaceutical, and semiconductor companies. Firms with established patent prosecution practices are more likely to have existing LCA infrastructure. Browse Migrate Mate to find employers with verified patent agent sponsorship history filtered by location and role.
Does my USPTO registration transfer if I change employers on H-1B?
Your USPTO registration number stays with you personally and does not expire when you change jobs. Your new employer will need to file a new LCA and H-1B transfer petition with USCIS before you start. Because your registration is portable, you can begin with the new employer once the new petition is filed, without waiting for USCIS approval.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Patent Agent jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.