Find Patent Agent opportunities with employers seeking professionals who can help protect inventions and intellectual property. Ladders features vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, including roles for experienced patent agents across technology, life sciences, engineering, and other innovation-driven fields.
Patent agents work with inventors, research teams, and legal professionals to prepare and prosecute patent applications. Common responsibilities include evaluating invention disclosures, conducting patentability research, drafting claims and application documents, responding to patent office actions, and helping clients develop intellectual property strategies. Unlike patent attorneys, patent agents are not lawyers and generally do not provide legal services beyond patent matters authorized by their registration.
Patent agents typically have a degree or technical background in a field such as engineering, computer science, chemistry, physics, or biotechnology. In the United States, they generally must pass the patent bar examination and register with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to represent applicants in patent matters. Employers may also value strong technical writing, research, communication, and project-management skills, along with relevant industry or patent prosecution experience.
Patent agents can work at law firms, corporations, universities, research institutions, and specialized intellectual property organizations. Career opportunities may focus on patent preparation and prosecution, portfolio management, technology-specific subject matter, or collaboration with in-house counsel and inventors. Demand and compensation vary by location, technical specialty, experience, and employer.
Explore Patent Agent job listings on Ladders to discover vetted professional opportunities with salaries of $100,000 or more. Compare roles by employer, location, and expertise, and identify positions that align with your technical background and career goals.
$71K - $113K *
Lead the charge in managing complex litigation claims, guiding defense counsel towards timely resolutions while mentoring junior staff and optimizing regional cost strategies to enhance claim outcomes...
1 month ago
$90K - $140K *
Transform the commissioning process by leading design reviews, functional testing, and site visits. Collaborate with teams to ensure project success and compliance, while managing documentation and tr...
1 week ago
Associate Principal - Industry Advisory 3
$80K - $100K *
Shape the future of semiconductor advisory by leading transformative projects, driving multimillion-dollar sales, and mentoring a dynamic team of consultants to deliver innovative solutions in supply...
1 week ago
US Team Lead, Legal Application Managed Services
$110K - $130K *
Empower your career by leading a dynamic team focused on enhancing legal technology solutions. Drive client satisfaction and operational excellence while fostering professional growth within a 100% re...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Team Lead, Legal Conflicts Managed Services
$110K - $130K *
Transform client engagement by leading a dynamic conflicts managed services practice. Drive service quality, team development, and innovative solutions while shaping a scalable model for modernizing c...
Yesterday
Principal Regulatory Affairs Specialist
$109K - $185K *
Empower innovation in diabetes care by navigating regulatory pathways for cutting-edge medical devices, collaborating globally to ensure compliance and product success while impacting lives positively...
Reposted 1 week ago
$164K - $245K *
Transform vendor legal operations by leading negotiations and enhancing processes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to streamline agreements and empower stakeholders, ensuring efficiency and sc...
Today
$100K - $120K *
Drive excellence in licensing operations by leading a dedicated team, managing key client portfolios and ensuring high-quality application processes while fostering a culture of accountability and con...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Counsel - Commercial Transactions
$132K - $221K *
Drive enterprise-wide legal support for global contracting activities, focusing on procurement and technology transactions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to manage risks and ensure complianc...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Champion legal excellence by providing comprehensive support across various law areas, including contracts, mergers, and regulatory compliance. Collaborate with internal teams to deliver timely counse...
3 days ago
Litigation Fellowship, Environment & Natural Resources (Fall 2027)
$100K *
Champion liberty and defend individual rights as you engage in impactful public-interest law through a dynamic year-long fellowship, working alongside experienced attorneys on crucial environmental ca...
Reposted 6 days ago
Sr Product Manager - Legal and Compliance
$153K - $207K *
Grow your career with a dynamic role that shapes product strategy and drives cross-functional collaboration to enhance customer experiences and achieve business outcomes through effective product mana...
1 week ago
Procurement, Growth & Strategic Relationships Lead
$170K - $190K *
Shape the future of client engagements by leading procurement relations, fostering trust, and unlocking growth opportunities through strategic partnerships that enhance collaboration and drive expansi...
Reposted 1 week ago
Account Executive, e-Discovery and Legal Services
$84K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of eDiscovery sales, driving revenue growth through lead generation, client management, and strategic networking. Join a dynamic team focused on expanding business...
2 weeks ago
Mechanical and Design Engineer
$93K - $137K *
Innovate across capital projects and chemical operations, delivering practical mechanical engineering solutions while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure effective project execution a...
4 weeks ago
Annuities External Wholesaler, Bank/Wire Channel (Greater NYC)
$110K - $130K *
Drive sales growth for fixed and variable annuities through strategic relationships in the Bank/Wire channel. Collaborate with financial advisors to meet clients' retirement income needs and manage a...
3 weeks ago
Deputy Chief Compliance Officer
$150K - $180K *
Pioneer a transformative compliance framework with a key focus on integrating technology and oversight, ensuring investor protection while enhancing operational efficiency across a dynamic financial l...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$225K - $250K *
Champion compliance and innovation as you navigate complex legal landscapes, supporting diverse teams in a fast-paced environment. Leverage your expertise to drive growth while managing legal risks ac...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $160K *
Manage contracts and proposals within the Defense and Civil Space Market, serving as a strategic partner to stakeholders. Leverage federal contracting expertise to drive innovation and navigate comple...
2 days ago
$110K - $175K *
Drive impactful general liability defense litigation by managing diverse cases from inception to resolution. Collaborate with seasoned attorneys in a supportive, hybrid environment, enhancing your ski...
Today
$145K - $180K *
Lead the charge in first-party insurance litigation, managing cases from inception to resolution while collaborating with a team of experts. Build strong client relationships and develop strategic lit...
2 days ago
$100K - $130K *
Grow your career with a dynamic role that involves conducting in-depth research across various topics, delivering actionable insights, and collaborating with a high-performing team to tackle complex q...
2 weeks ago
Sr. Director, eDiscovery Technology & AI
$156K - $195K *
Champion the global eDiscovery Technology practice, leading a diverse team to innovate AI-assisted workflows, ensuring defensibility and quality across jurisdictions while driving growth and operation...
2 days ago
Assistant General Counsel - Managed Services Organization
$150K - $235K *
Elevate your legal career by delivering strategic counsel and effective services to Managed Services Organizations and physician practices, while managing complex legal projects and mentoring a team i...
1 week ago
Account Director - eDiscovery Sales, Northeast Region
$110K - $140K *
Unlock your potential as a strategic leader, driving sales and client success in litigation support services. Collaborate with teams to enhance client relationships and achieve revenue goals in a dyna...
2 weeks ago
What is a patent agent?
A patent agent is a professional registered to represent applicants before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in patent matters. Patent agents commonly prepare and prosecute patent applications but are not attorneys unless they also hold a law license.
What qualifications do you need to become a patent agent?
In the United States, candidates generally need a qualifying technical or scientific background and must pass the patent bar examination to register with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Specific education and experience requirements can vary by employer and technical field.
What does a patent agent do?
Patent agents may review invention disclosures, research prior art, draft patent applications and claims, respond to patent office actions, and help manage patent portfolios in coordination with inventors and legal teams.
How much do patent agent jobs pay?
Compensation varies based on experience, technical specialty, location, and employer. Ladders focuses on vetted professional roles paying $100,000 or more, though individual listings and compensation terms differ.
Where do patent agents work?
Patent agents work at intellectual property law firms, corporate legal departments, universities, research organizations, and other employers that develop or manage inventions and patent portfolios.