Patent Examiner (Physics)

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 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.

Duties

• 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.
• Work closely with supervisors and senior examiners early in your career, receiving extensive guidance and feedback as you develop your skills and evaluate your findings.
• 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 by drafting written communications to applicants that convey your findings in detailed explanations of your examination decisions.
• Discuss office actions with supervisors or senior examiners and refine your work based on feedback before issuing official communications.

Qualifications

• 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 a combination of qualifying education and experience.
• Current registration as a professional engineer by any state, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico.
• 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, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
• Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences, including the courses specified in the basic requirements; the courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of a professional engineering curriculum.
• Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in engineering technology or in an appropriate professional field (e.g., physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology) may be accepted in lieu of an engineering degree, provided the applicant has had at least one year of professional engineering experience with professional engineering supervision and guidance.

Below are the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the Patent Examiner (Computer Engineering) position. Please see OPM's information on the Engineering Individual Occupational Requirements. OPM's prescribed Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Patent Examiner Series, GS-1224, is available at OPM Patent Examiner Series 1224. The full list of qualifications and requirements can be found