Legal Staff Technical Specialist (Patent Agent) in Santa Clara, CA

In-House

Santa Clara, CA

Legal Staff Technical Specialist (Patent Agent) in Santa Clara, CA

Legal Staff

3-5 yrs required

No

Lead Patent Agent

Job Title
Lead Patent Agent

Job Responsibilities
The Lead Patent Agent at the company is responsible for various tasks in the intellectual property practice within the Corporate Legal and Compliance Department. The candidate will be involved in preparing and prosecuting patent applications specifically directed towards datacom, telecom, and optical-networking inventions. Key responsibilities include:

- Collaborating with inventors and management to identify and distill novel inventions with commercial value.
- Assessing invention disclosures for patentability and business value.
- Conducting prior-art searches to identify relevant references and evaluate patentability.
- Drafting original patent applications.
- Managing patent prosecution in the US and other jurisdictions, including drafting arguments and claim amendments.
- Contributing to the development and implementation of IP policies and patenting strategies in line with the company’s business goals and technologies.
- Collaborating with a team of in-house and external counsel to protect company inventions, ensuring alignment with IP policies and patenting strategies, and managing the company’s IP portfolio.
- Providing IP-related guidance and assistance, including determining the state of the art and conducting freedom-to-operate analysis.
- Staying current with changes in patent law and industry trends to maintain strong patent protection and competitive advantage.
- Performing other IP-related duties as assigned, such as supporting IP litigation and licensing matters.

Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in physics, engineering, or a related science discipline with over 5 years of experience in preparing and prosecuting patent applications in the datacom, telecom, or optical networking arts, or
- MS Degree in physics, engineering, or a related scientific discipline with over 3 years of experience in preparing and prosecuting patent applications in the datacom, telecom, or optical networking arts.
- USPTO Registration is required.
- Direct experience or working knowledge of optical technology, photonics devices, materials technology, or optical networking equipment is an advantage.

Skills
- Attention to technical and administrative detail.
- Strong communication skills.
- Ability to prioritize tasks effectively.
- Competency in understanding both the legal and technical aspects of the patent process.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision to achieve goals and objectives.

Working Conditions
- Ability to work full-time during core business hours in a remote (home-office) or in-office setting at a company site.
- Willingness to work extended hours (early morning, evening, or weekend), when necessary.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally, when necessary.

Physical Requirements
- Ability to sit and/or stand for an 8-hour shift.

Safety Requirements
- All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and company Corporate EHS standards.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities
- Depending on the location, this position may be responsible for executing and maintaining the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001, and/or other applicable standards relevant to the roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment
- Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of the position:
- Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust
- Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
- Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome
- Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone
- Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Salary Information
The pay scale for the Lead Patent Agent position is between $89,148 and $152,676 per year.

Additional Information
The company is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

About Us
The company is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials, and networking components, developing innovative products for diversified applications in various markets. It offers a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best while rewarding excellence and hard work through a competitive compensation program. The company provides stability, longevity, and growth opportunities.