Patent Agent

MDB Capital Holdings

1d•Remote

About The Position

PatentVest is a specialized intellectual property firm that helps innovators, founders, investors, and operating companies build and protect patent portfolios that drive enterprise value. Our work spans patent preparation and prosecution before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), portfolio strategy, freedom-to-operate and patentability analysis, IP due diligence for investment and M&A transactions, and strategic patent intelligence. We serve clients ranging from venture-backed startups to mature operating companies, with a focus on producing patent assets that are commercially meaningful — not just legally issued. We are hiring candidates for US Patent Agent positions to join our prosecution team. This is a hybrid trainee-to-practitioner role designed for a U.S. citizen residing in Central America who has the scientific or engineering background to qualify for the USPTO Registration Examination (the "patent bar") and the discipline to complete it while contributing to client work from day one. You will begin as a Patent Legal Assistant, supporting our registered patent attorneys and agents on real client matters, and progress into independent patent agent responsibilities as you complete the USPTO registration process. The role offers a defined runway, dedicated study time, exam-fee reimbursement, and direct mentorship from experienced U.S. practitioners. In your first 6–12 months, you will learn the mechanics of U.S. patent prosecution while preparing for the USPTO Registration Examination. You will work as a legal assistant on active matters — drafting, docketing, formalities, and prior-art research under practitioner supervision — while studying the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP) and 37 CFR Parts 1, 11, and 41. Once you pass the exam and complete OED registration, you will transition into a registered Patent Agent role with your own docket of applications, supervised initially and increasingly independent over time.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship. USPTO registration under 37 CFR § 11.6 requires either U.S. citizenship or lawful U.S. residency. Because this role is based in Central America rather than the United States, the candidate must be a U.S. citizen. Candidates must be able to provide a U.S. passport or equivalent proof of citizenship and maintain a U.S. mailing address for OED correspondence and exam scheduling
Eligibility to qualify for the USPTO Registration Examination under one of the General Requirements Bulletin categories: Category A: Bachelor's, master's, or Ph.D. in a recognized technical field (most engineering disciplines, biology, chemistry, biochemistry, computer science, physics, or similar), OR Category B: A different bachelor's degree plus 24+ semester hours in physics, 32+ semester hours in qualifying chemistry/biology/engineering coursework, or the other specified combinations, OR Category C: Passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination
Strong written English at a professional level — the role requires drafting technical and legal prose that will be read by U.S. patent examiners and clients
1+ years of professional experience in a technical, research, engineering, IP, or legal-support role
Demonstrated ability to learn complex technical subject matter quickly and explain it precisely in writing
Reliable home-office setup with secure internet, suitable for handling confidential client information
Ability to overlap working hours meaningfully with U.S. business hours (Eastern or Pacific time zones)
Commitment to sit for, and pass, the USPTO Registration Examination within an agreed timeframe (typically 12–18 months from start)
Good moral character and reputation, as required by 37 CFR § 11.7 — including no felony convictions and no disciplinary history that would impede OED admission

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in a technical field, particularly in software, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, biotechnology, chemistry, or materials science
Prior experience as a patent paralegal, patent engineer, technical specialist, or in-house IP coordinator
Familiarity with USPTO Patent Center, PAIR, or equivalent electronic filing systems
Experience reading or drafting patent claims, even informally
Exposure to patent search tools (e.g., Google Patents, PatentScope, Lens, commercial databases)
Bilingual Spanish/English fluency
Experience working with U.S.-based teams on a remote, asynchronous basis

Responsibilities

Prepare draft patent application sections (background, summary, detailed description, claims) for review and signature by registered practitioners
Conduct prior-art searches and prepare patentability and prior-art analysis memoranda
Draft responses to USPTO Office Actions for practitioner review, including claim amendments and arguments
Manage application docketing, deadline tracking, and formalities (Application Data Sheets, Information Disclosure Statements, declarations, assignments)
File documents through USPTO Patent Center under the supervision and signature of a registered practitioner
Communicate with inventor-clients to gather technical disclosures and clarifying information
Maintain a structured study plan for the USPTO Registration Examination, with regular check-ins and practice testing
Strictly observe the boundary between ministerial work (permitted) and the unauthorized practice of patent law (not permitted) until registered
Prosecute patent applications independently as a registered Patent Agent, signing your own filings under 37 CFR § 1.34 and powers of attorney
Draft and file new utility and provisional applications, continuations, divisionals, and CIPs
Conduct examiner interviews and develop prosecution strategy in coordination with senior practitioners and clients
Mentor incoming legal assistants and trainees as the team grows
Comply with the USPTO Rules of Professional Conduct (37 CFR §§ 11.101 et seq.) and the certification requirements of 37 CFR § 11.18 on every paper you sign