Do you aspire to use your engineering, science, or arts/design background to serve on the cutting edge of innovation?

Now you can, by being the first to examine new inventions to determine and grant patents as a Patent Examiner at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), America's Innovation Agency! We employ over 13,000 professionals, and most of them telework from home full time, from locations across the United States!

As a federal government agency, we actively recruit and value individuals with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities can apply to jobs in the federal government through special hiring pathways, including Schedule A (see more info below). Individuals with disabilities can also request reasonable accommodations so that they have what they need to apply or perform their jobs. Our agency strongly values diversity and employing all kinds of professionals!

>> EXPLORE becoming a patent examiner here: http://bit.ly/USPTO_PE
>> MEET our diverse employees here: http://bit.ly/USPTO_WhoWeAre
>> LEARN key details about the role: https://bit.ly/3dSzqIQ

And, recruitment incentives (sign on bonuses) may be offered for this position!

Being a patent examiner is a satisfying career where you can use your art/design, science, STEM, or engineering degree for the exciting purpose of protecting American intellectual property. As a patent examiner, you will enjoy work-life balance, opportunities for career growth, telework options, and meaningful professional relationships that stem from a diverse workplace culture.

At the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), we know that it takes skill to recognize ingenuity. The USPTO has ranked as one of the best places to work in the federal government.

We currently have several open vacancies for Patent Examiners, including vacancies specializing in:

Biomedical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Computer Engineering
Computer Science
Design
Electrical Engineering
Physics

Where? Work on campus or in the telework full time from the location of your choice! The physical worksite for this position is located in Alexandria, Virginia if desired. However, patent examiners may choose to perform their duties throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.

About the Role

As a U.S. patent examiner, you will use your specialized background to review applications to determine whether patents can be granted for inventions. Patents give inventors the right to exclude others from making or selling their inventions for a limited time. That means that patent examiners are critical to protecting American innovation!

Your efforts will play a critical role in giving inventors exclusive rights over their discoveries.

As a U.S. patent examiner, you will handle these basic patent examining functions:

Searching prior art using specialized technology systems to ensure that an invention is new and unique. Prior art is information that has been disclosed to the public about an invention before a given date including related patents, published articles and public demonstrations.

Reviewing patent applications for potentially new inventions and innovations to ensure they meet the agency's requirements.
Writing legal office actions on patentability and respond to patent applications.

New patent examiners receive top-notch training during the first months on the job that will give you the tools you need to be successful in your role.

>> Ready to Apply? View the open vacancies on USAJOBS: https://bit.ly/3UdSQZk

Conditions of Employment
Applicants must be United States Citizens or Nationals.
Your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related competencies.
You must meet the definition of specialized experience.
Required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov)
If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period.
You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
You must be suitable for Federal Employment.

IF YOU HAVE A DISABILITY: We love hiring individuals with disabilities, and know that they are the largest minority group in the U.S. If you have a disability and are interested in applying, you may be eligible for special consideration under Schedule A. To learn more, visit https://www.uspto.gov/jobs/hiring-people-disabilities, or e-mail your interest in this job to kelly.el-yacoubi@uspto.gov for application questions or send your Schedule A letter to DisabilityHiring@uspto.gov

IF YOU ARE A VETERAN: We love hiring vets! Veterans interested in applying, please first e-mail a copy of your resume, academic transcripts and DD-214 to hirevets@uspto.gov. Applicants requesting 10-point veteran preference (veterans with service-connected disability rating) must submit an SF-15 and a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) letter certifying the percentage of the service-connect. To learn more, visit http://bit.ly/USPTOVeterans

Note: If you are a student finishing your degree, you still may able to apply. Applications will be accepted from students who expect to complete qualifying education within 9 months from the date of application. USPTO requires verification of successful completion before extending a final offer.