Patent Engineer

Patent Engineer

Banner Witcoff is a leader in intellectual property law for more than 100 years. We are the trusted IP partner of choice for organizations around the world. We provide sound legal guidance and inventive IP solutions to power business for start-ups, Fortune 500 companies, and everything in between.

Banner Witcoff is seeking full-time Patent Engineers with backgrounds in electrical engineering. Patent Engineers will work directly with engineers and scientists at client companies to prepare and prosecute patent applications describing cutting-edge inventions under the guidance of an attorney. Patent Engineers learn about many different leading technologies every day from computer networking, to video processing, solar energy, and wireless technologies, including 5G and 6G.

Skills and Educational Requirements:

• A bachelor's degree is required and 1-2 years of patent prosecution or industry experience in electrical engineering and/or a related field is preferred.
• Excellent academic credentials required.
• Familiarity with docket management tools, iManage, PatSnap, Visio, and CAD viewing software is preferred.
• A US patent bar registration number is required for this position.
• Fluency in Japanese language is a plus.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Review the state of the art and collaborate with inventors to identify novel and patentable features.
• Conduct comprehensive prior-art searches for patentability, validity, and litigation-related analyses.
• Draft high-quality patent applications, including detailed specifications, drawings, and technical descriptions.
• Draft patent claims and prepare claim charts to support prosecution and strategic decision-making.
• Prepare responses to USPTO Office Actions, working closely with reviewing patent attorneys.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of USPTO rules, procedures, and the MPEP, applying them accurately in daily prosecution work.
• Demonstrate familiarity with major foreign patent office rules and procedures to support international filings and strategies.
• Manage a high-volume patent docket by maintaining file integrity, monitoring deadlines, and prioritizing tasks effectively.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with clients, including understanding and following client-specific procedures, preferences, and workflow requirements.
• Conduct technical review and citation checking of legal briefs in patent litigation matters.
• Produce consistently high-quality work with strong attention to detail, writing clarity, and analytical rigor.
• Participate in internal training, receive mentoring, and work with a supervising patent attorney on assigned work product.
• Meet a minimum billable hours requirement of 1,500 hours annually.

Opportunities for Growth and Advancement:

• Upon starting law school, may be advanced to Patent Law Clerk.
• Upon completion of law school, path to attorney role in the firm.

This position is a hybrid role, with a blend of remote and in-office work. The employee will be required to work in the office (Washington, DC or Chicago, IL) at least two days per week, or more, depending on business needs and/or work assignments. In-office specific duties include managing mail, copying, face-to-face meetings, greeting clients and visitors, team collaborative projects, as well as company events.

Banner Witcoff offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, 401(k), business-casual attire, and a friendly office environment. Interested candidates should apply online by sending a resume, cover letter with salary requirements, writing sample, and transcripts.

The salary range for this role is $80,000 to $130,000 annually. This is an exempt position. This range is only applicable for jobs to be performed in Washington, DC or Chicago, IL. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's pay within the salary range will be based on numerous factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, geographical location, and business or organizational needs. This job is also eligible for an annual merit increase and bonus pay.

Banner Witcoff is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. The Firm will not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, sex, pregnancy, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, legal citizenship or any other status protected by law.

Instructions to Recruiting Agencies and Search Firms

Banner Witcoff will not accept unsolicited resumes, and will not pay a fee for any unsolicited submissions. We will not accept resumes from search firms or recruiters with which we do not have an established agreement, and any resume sent without request or prior approval from our recruiting coordinators will be considered unsolicited. In addition, please do not call or e-mail any attorney or staff at our firm without prior approval from our recruiting coordinators. Thank you for respecting our process.