If a company has a new design or innovation, a patent engineer will evaluate it to see if the invention has enough unique properties or characteristics.
Those with a career in patent engineering primarily help companies and individual owners understand and comply with the requirements of a patent application. The job of a patent engineer incorporates aspects of patent law, although people who work in the profession do not need a law degree. Patent engineers apply a variety of skills to their work, including technical writing, reasoning and logic, and the ability to think independently. Patent engineer job postings are often found in trade publications and through professional organizations.
Patent engineer jobs can usually be found in trade publications.
Overseeing the entire process associated with filing a patent is the primary involvement of patent engineers. If a company or individual approaches a patent engineer with a new design or innovation, the engineer will evaluate it to see if the invention has enough unique properties or characteristics to qualify for patenting. Typically, this process requires the engineer to interview the manufacturer of the product, record their own observations, and determine all possible uses for the creation. Furthermore, a patent engineer must have in-depth knowledge of similar products to ensure that the new invention does not infringe on existing designs. Once the product has been fully analyzed, the engineer will submit all the appropriate documents and designs to the patent regulator.
Patent engineer jobs can be found in a variety of listings. Online job sites, newspaper news, trade magazines, and professional associations often contain patent engineering jobs. Job seekers in this business may also want to attend networking events and industry expos where informal job openings can be found. There are patent trade organizations that can provide members with access to various benefits. The National Association of Patent Professionals in the United States, for example, provides a list of employment resources, hosts various meetups and places for professionals to connect, and offers classes and certifications that help people build their resumes.
This job requires excellent technical writing skills due to the fact that most communications between the applicant and the patent board will be written rather than oral. Also, a patent engineer must have sound reasoning and logic. Creativity and the ability to think independently also help people employed in this profession to achieve success. A four-year science or engineering degree is required, although preference is usually given to those with a master’s degree. Internships and previous experience in the patent process also increase the chances of hiring a patent engineer candidate.
Salaries for this position vary depending on whether the engineer is a sole proprietor or works for a prominent company. The area where the engineer is located and the experience of the patent engineer also influence pay. Patent engineers usually earn enough to make a decent living.