Patent Agent

The MITRE Corporation•McLean, VA

6d•$101,000 - $152,000•Onsite

About The Position

Why choose between doing meaningful work and having a fulfilling life? At MITRE, you can have both. That's because MITRE people are committed to tackling our nation's toughest challenges—and we're committed to the long-term well-being of our employees. MITRE is different from most technology companies. We are a not-for-profit corporation chartered to work for the public interest, with no commercial conflicts to influence what we do. The R&D centers we operate for the government create lasting impact in fields as diverse as cybersecurity, healthcare, aviation, defense, and enterprise transformation. We're making a difference every day—working for a safer, healthier, and more secure nation and world. Our workplace reflects our values. We offer competitive benefits, exceptional professional development opportunities for career growth, and a culture of innovation that embraces adaptability, collaboration, technical excellence, and people in partnership. If this sounds like the choice you want to make, then choose MITRE - and make a difference with us. MITRE’s Office of General Counsel (“OGC”) advances MITRE’s mission and purpose by providing legal expertise and services necessary to protect the company’s interests. OGC delivers strategic direction for current and new endeavors and executes functions essential to the company's ongoing operations. Reporting to MITRE’s Associate General Counsel and Chief Intellectual Property Counsel, this position will protect and advance the organization’s intellectual property portfolio. In this role, you will serve as the critical bridge between MITRE inventors and outside counsel, translating breakthrough innovations in national security, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies into robust patent protection. This is an opportunity to shape the IP strategy of an organization whose inventions directly impact the public interest.

Requirements

Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 3 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with relevant experience who can immediately contribute at this job step; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in electrical engineering, computer science, computer engineering, or physics.
Active registration to practice before the USPTO.
Minimum of three (3) years of patent drafting and prosecution experience.
This position requires a minimum of 4 days a week on-site

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated ability to understand, describe, and distinguish complex inventions with precision and technical accuracy.
Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to craft clear, persuasive legal and technical arguments.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment, managing multiple projects and deadlines with minimal supervision.
High integrity, sound professional judgment, and ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
Technical background or prosecution experience in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, quantum computing, cybersecurity, or autonomous systems.
Experience developing and executing patent portfolio strategies for a research-intensive organization.
Familiarity with IP licensing, technology transfer, and commercialization activities.
Experience counseling inventors and conducting IP awareness training.
Excellent organizational and time management abilities with a proven track record of handling high-volume prosecution dockets.

Responsibilities

Build and maintain a valuable patent portfolio aligned with MITRE’s strategic research priorities and identify opportunities to strengthen coverage in high-impact technology areas.
Review invention disclosure documents and collaborate with inventors to develop robust intellectual property disclosures, eliciting key technical details and accurately translating complex concepts into formal patent language.
Perform patent portfolio management tasks such as docketing entries and patent maintenance decisions.
Lead/participate in invention disclosure meetings and advise inventors on patentability, patent strategy, and portfolio development, helping stakeholders understand the strength and scope of MITRE’s IP positions.
Review prior art searches to evaluate patentability of mechanical, electrical, software, and computer technologies.
Review and revise draft patent applications, including detailed technical descriptions, strategically crafted claims, and coordinated drawings, to maximize the scope of enforceable patent protection.
Partner with outside counsel to prosecute patent applications before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”), including preparing substantive responses to Office Actions, interacting with inventors, crafting persuasive arguments to overcome rejections, and negotiating claim amendments with examiners.
Support licensing activities, employee IP training programs, and client counseling efforts as needed.
Prepare internal and external communications upon patent issuance including updating public-facing resources with newly awarded patent information.
Stay current on changes in patent law and participate in continuing education opportunities.