Patent Agent

Cisco•Atlanta, GA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Cisco’s Intellectual Property team works across technology, business, and law to protect innovation in areas including networking, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure, collaboration, and observability. The Patent Agent will partner with technologists, distinguished engineers, attorneys, business partners, and leadership to strengthen Cisco’s patent portfolio and advance its IP management processes and infrastructure. The role combines technical and business analysis, invention development, patent prosecution, and clear communication to technical and non-technical audiences. The successful candidate will also help improve the patent program’s workflows, standards, intake processes, and analytics.

Requirements

Active USPTO registration as a patent agent, or the ability to obtain USPTO registration.
Demonstrated experience using enterprise IP Management Systems (IPMS) and advanced patent analytics platforms to support portfolio strategy, competitive landscape assessment, and sophisticated patent lifecycle management.

Nice To Haves

In-house patent preparation and prosecution experience, or law firm experience working closely with an in-house client.
Ability to use data to build an argument demonstrating the value of work to clients, business partners, or leadership.
A track record of concise, credible executive communication about patent risk, including explaining unsettled patent issues as business-relevant guidance without over-hedging or misrepresenting the law, and defending a position under skeptical questioning.
Technical experience in at least one of these areas: silicon and optics; AI infrastructure and networking; security; collaboration; observability and cloud management; compute; or wireless communications.
Comfort navigating ambiguity, learning unfamiliar technology, and holding substantive conversations with senior engineers.
Curiosity about business strategy and how Cisco competes in the marketplace, and the ability to connect that understanding to IP protection.
A collaborative approach, including sharing credit, asking for help, and working across functions.
A sense of humor.

Responsibilities

Work with inventors to identify, evaluate, and develop patentable inventions and strengthen Cisco’s patent portfolio.
Provide high-quality technical and patent practitioner analysis.
Work with outside counsel to draft, file, and prosecute strategic, deployable patent assets.
Build relationships with engineering teams, product groups, and business units to understand their businesses and integrate IP considerations into their processes.
Translate technical subject matter for non-technical audiences and patent practitioner subject matter for technical audiences.
Write clear summaries that enable business leaders to make decisions without requiring a patent background.
Contribute to improving invention intake, prosecution standards, and patent analytics based on practical experience.
Share learnings and help improve team operations and workflows.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance, subject to plan eligibility rules.
401(k) plan with Cisco matching contribution.
Paid parental leave.
Short- and long-term disability coverage.
Basic life insurance.
Potential eligibility for Cisco restricted stock unit grants, subject to continued employment and vesting terms.
10 paid holidays per full calendar year.
One floating holiday for non-exempt employees.
One paid day off for an employee’s birthday.
Paid year-end holiday shutdown.
Four paid personal wellness days.
Paid vacation: non-exempt employees receive 16 days per full calendar year; exempt employees participate in a flexible vacation program with no defined limit, subject to availability and business limitations.
80 hours of sick time off provided upon hire and each January 1, with up to 80 unused hours carried forward.
Additional paid time away may be requested for critical or emergency family issues.
Optional 10 paid volunteer days per full calendar year.
Annual bonus eligibility for non-sales roles, subject to Cisco policies.