IP Specialist

MIDREX TECHNOLOGIES INC•Charlotte, NC

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Intellectual Property Specialist is responsible for supporting Midrex’s innovation and technology protection strategy by working closely with the company’s Intellectual Property Committee, legal team, external patent counsel, and internal technical teammates. This role will manage the administration, maintenance, preparation, drafting, and prosecution of patent applications to ensure the protection of Midrex’s intellectual property assets. The position requires strong technical aptitude, attention to detail, and the ability to translate complex engineering concepts into well-structured and defensible patent filings.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience in patent drafting and patent prosecution
Strong understanding of U.S. patent law and USPTO procedures
Experience working with external patent counsel and coordinating prosecution activities
Ability to interpret complex technical concepts and translate them into clear, defensible patent claims
Experience conducting prior art searches and patentability assessments
Strong technical writing and analytical skills
High attention to detail and strong organizational skills
Ability to manage multiple deadlines and coordinate with cross-functional teams
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with patent filing/docketing systems
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Metallurgical, Chemical, Industrial, or related technical discipline) required
Minimum of 3+ years of experience in patent drafting and patent prosecution
Experience working with external patent counsel and managing outside prosecution activities
Experience collaborating with engineering or technical teams to develop and protect intellectual property
Experience preparing and reviewing responses to Office Actions
Experience conducting prior art searches and evaluating patentability

Nice To Haves

Registered U.S. Patent Agent or Patent Attorney (USPTO registration)
Juris Doctor (JD) degree and active bar membership
Experience with international patent filings (PCT and foreign national phase)
Background in industrial process technology, heavy industry, energy systems, or metallurgical processes
Experience supporting freedom-to-operate (FTO) analyses
Knowledge of intellectual property portfolio strategy and cost management
Experience working in a corporate in-house IP environment
Familiarity with trade secret strategy and IP risk management
Experience supporting IP due diligence for commercial agreements or partnerships
Advanced degree in Engineering or related technical field preferred
Juris Doctor (JD) degree preferred
USPTO registration as a Patent Agent or Patent Attorney preferred
Experience managing U.S. and international patent filings, including PCT applications preferred
Experience in an in-house corporate IP environment preferred
Experience in industrial process technology, heavy industry, or energy-related technologies preferred

Responsibilities

Work with multi-disciplinary groups to implement assigned intellectual property tasks
Be member of the Intellectual Property Committee and Innovation Team.
Learn Midrex’s technology working with assigned technical teammates.
Assist with Intellectual Property strategy and portfolio management.
Assist the Process Analysis group with the IP database.
Serve as liaison between internal technical teams and external patent counsel.
Work with external IP counsel and internal technical teammates in preparing invention disclosures, drafting and reviewing U.S. and international patent applications, including specifications, claims, abstracts, and drawings.
Assist in preparing and reviewing responses to USPTO and foreign Office Actions to scrutinize the cited arts.
Manage patent prosecution activities in collaboration with external patent attorneys to evaluate the risk.
Review prior art research and patentability analyses to support filing decisions.
Evaluate new technologies and provide recommendations regarding patent protection strategy.
Coordinate domestic and international filings, including PCT applications and national phase entries.
Work with Midrex’s parent company to monitor competitor patents and industry IP trends to identify risks and opportunities as assigned.
Investigate the prior arts to access or invalidate the competitor patents if any risk.
Support freedom-to-operate (FTO) assessments and IP risk evaluations.
Maintain accurate patent records, deadlines, and docketing coordination with legal team and outside counsel.
Assist in IP-related due diligence activities for commercial agreements, partnerships, or strategic initiatives.
Provide guidance to internal teams on confidentiality, trade secrets, and best practices for protecting proprietary technology.
Support cost management and budgeting related to external patent prosecution and maintenance activities.