Patent Examiner (Computer Engineering)

About the role

Turn innovation into impact—become a patent examiner at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). We're looking for talented individuals with STEM backgrounds (such as artificial intelligence, wireless communications systems, control systems, digital cameras) that want to lead advancements that benefit society as a whole and contribute by bringing ideas to market. You'll shape the future of patent examination, advance key processes, and support innovation in cutting-edge ways. Come be a part of history in the making at the forefront of innovation.

Responsibilities

• Examine patent applications and help protect groundbreaking ideas.
• Assess patent applications for new inventions, ensuring they meet our standards and determining if they are eligible for a patent.
• Early in your career, work closely with supervisors and senior examiners and receive extensive guidance and feedback as you develop your skills and evaluate your findings.
• Explore innovation in your review of patent applications; use specialized and cutting‑edge technology to search prior art—information known publicly before the filing of a U.S. patent application—to determine whether inventions meet patentability standards and are eligible for a patent.
• Prepare clear and thoughtful office actions: draft written communications to applicants to convey your findings in detailed explanations of your examination decisions, discuss them with supervisors or senior examiners, and refine your work based on feedback before issuing official communications.

Requirements

• Applications will only be accepted from United States Citizens and Nationals.
• Your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job‑related competencies.
• If selected, you will be required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
• The full list of duties, qualifications, and conditions of employment can be found on the USAJOBS posting.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS for all grade levels in this series include:

• A) (1) successfully completed a full four‑year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in engineering, OR (2) a combination of qualifying education and experience.
• This can be demonstrated by one of the following:
  • Professional registration—Current registration as a professional engineer by any state, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico.
  • Written test—Evidence of passing the Engineer‑in‑Training (EIT) examination or the written test required for professional registration, administered by the Boards of Engineering Examiners in various states, the District of Columbia,