Patent Attorney

Summary

As a Patent Attorney within the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) at NASA Langley Research Center, you will be responsible for supporting the protection of intellectual property, prosecuting NASA patent applications, licensing NASA technologies, reviewing software for release, negotiating data rights for contracts and agreements, and ensuring that NASA publications comply with applicable intellectual property laws.

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Duties

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• Provides broad legal support for the NASA legal enterprise in ensuring that NASA intellectual property is protected.
• Prepares, files and prosecutes patent applications at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), including applications, drawings, amendments, affidavits, advocacy before Patent Examiners, motions, petitions and appeal briefs.
• Supports legal review of intellectual property provisions in Federal procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements.
• Advises on and drafts intellectual property policy guidance, regulations, and procedures, and supports NASA compliance with external legal requirements related to intellectual property.
• Supports NASA Technology Transfer Office in providing legal review of license agreements and in reviewing/approving NASA software for release.
• Serves as authority on invention disclosures ensuring that legal position/rights of the Agency, inventors, and contractors are clearly defined.
• Reviews and coordinates the disposition of administrative claims for infringement of patents or copyrights.
• Provides legal review of NASA publications prior to release.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
• You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• Position subject to pre-employment background investigation or higher-level clearance. Investigation/Clearance may differ and be required based on the duty location/NASA Center requirements.
• Financial Disclosure, Drug Testing, and/or the Travel Requirements for this position may differ and be required based on the duty location/NASA Center requirements.
• This position may require a two-year trial period. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11. **See Additional Information section**

Qualifications

Basic Requirements for all grade levels :

You must possess a Juris Doctor (J.D.) or Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from a full course of study at a law school accredited by the American Bar Association; be an active member in good standing of the bar of any state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and have been admitted to practice law before a state or federal court.

You must meet the grade level criteria listed above AND be admitted to the Patent Bar.

To qualify for the GS-15: you must meet the basic requirement for all grade levels (as outlined above) .

In addition, one of the following requirements must be satisfied:

One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level:

• Preparing and prosecuting chemical, computer science and/or electrical patent applications at the USPTO;
• Preparing and/or negotiating patent license agreements; and
• Providing legal advice in the area of intellectual property, including patent, trademark and/or copyright law.

OR

A graduate law degree (e.g., Master of Laws/LL.M.) and 1 year of professional legal experience equivalent to the experience described above.

Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job.

Please visit to review NASA's guidance on the use of artificial intelligent (AI) or AI-assisted tools during the application process.

Education

Basic Requirements:

U.S. degrees must have been awarded from colleges or universities that are accredited by recognized accrediting organizations. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, go to

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. These education credentials must be deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit:

All degrees must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation.

Additional information

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) within NASA.

Any applicant that received a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) from the federal governmentwithin the last five years based of the closing date of this announcement, if selected, may be required to repay the full amount prior to establishing a start date. For additional information on the VSIP repayment requirement, click here -

Trial Period

You may be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11.

In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;

• the needs and interests of the agency;

• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and

• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.