Senior Patent Attorney

Zebra Technologies•Lincolnshire, IL

3d•$138,800 - $208,200•Hybrid

About The Position

At Zebra, we are a community of innovators who come together to create new ways of working. United by curiosity and a culture of caring, we develop smart solutions that anticipate our customer’s and partner’s needs and solve their challenges. Being part of Zebra Nation means you are seen, heard, valued, and respected. Drawing from our unique perspectives, we collaborate to deliver on our purpose. Here you are part of a team pushing boundaries today to redefine the work of tomorrow for organizations, their employees, and those they serve. You’ll have opportunities to learn and lead in a forward-thinking environment, defining your path to a fulfilling career while channeling your skills toward causes you care about—locally and globally. Come make an impact every day at Zebra. We’re seeking an Senior Patent Attorney to join Zebra’s Intellectual Property team. We’re looking for an attorney who demonstrates strong business judgment and product awareness, alongside solid patent preparation and prosecution skills. In addition to patent portfolio development, the attorney will engage with and counsel stakeholders across Zebra, including engineering, product, and many other global functions. Furthermore, the attorney will increasingly support drafting, searching, and portfolio management activities by leveraging the advances in AI assisted IP tools. Success in this role depends on the ability to translate legal risk into business relevant guidance and to operate as a trusted partner to the product organization.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related technical field
Admission to at least one U.S. state bar and registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Approximately 3–4 years of post‑law‑school experience in patent preparation and prosecution, preferably at a law firm.

Nice To Haves

Curiosity about how technology, products, and business strategy intersect, and a genuine interest in understanding product context beyond the legal analysis.
Comfort forming and articulating provisional legal viewpoints when information is incomplete, and adjusting those viewpoints as additional context becomes available.
An ability to explain intellectual property considerations and risks in clear, practical language that enables business partners to make informed decisions.
A strategic mindset that prioritizes high‑value work, questions low‑value activity, and looks beyond the mechanics of drafting and prosecution.
An interest in emerging technologies, including AI and data‑driven systems.
Experience with AI‑enabled legal or technical tools is a plus.

Responsibilities

Manage outside patent counsel to develop a strategically and commercially relevant worldwide patent portfolio, with some in-house preparation and prosecution likely.
Counsel internal partners on a wide variety of intellectual property issues in a way that is practical and commercially calibrated.
Work directly with engineers and product teams to identify inventive concepts, understand technical and product context, and shape inventions into filings that reflect commercial relevance and strategic value.
Partner with internal stakeholders to provide practical, business‑oriented IP guidance, including identifying risks, tradeoffs, and strategic options associated with product features, roadmaps, and deployments.
Assess invention disclosures and portfolio assets to inform decisions about filing, scope, timing, and alternative protection strategies.
Leverage AI‑assisted tools for invention intake, prior art analysis, portfolio classification, and workflow efficiency, and apply sound judgment in interpreting and acting on tool outputs.
Handle the occasional existential dread that comes with reading thousands of pages of technical documents.