Quality Analyst

Position Summary

Duties & Responsibilities

Support the Quality Control department, providing direct supervision, mentorship, and training to staff to maintain internal and USPTO standards.

Oversee QC processes for all patent submissions, ensuring documents are technically sound and compliant with USPTO guidelines.

Develop and implement QC strategies, policies, and SOPs to enhance accuracy, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

Perform rigorous reviews of patent applications, amendments, and IP-related documentation prior to filing.

Partner with patent attorneys, agents, and paralegals to resolve discrepancies and streamline the submission lifecycle.

Monitor key quality KPIs, identify error trends, and execute corrective action plans.

Stay current on USPTO policy changes and "Manual of Patent Examining Procedure" (MPEP) updates, communicating impacts to the broader team.

Drive process optimization initiatives within the quality assurance systems to reduce cycle times and filing errors.

Lead internal and external audits to ensure ongoing adherence to legal and industry standards.

Education & Experience Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a Technical field (Engineering, Science), Pre-Law, or Business Administration.

At least 3–5 years experience in Intellectual Property (IP) quality control or patent prosecution.

Extensive, demonstrable experience working directly with USPTO guidelines and electronic filing systems (EFS-Web/Patent Center).

Ability to successfully obtain and maintain a Tier 1 Investigation (Low Risk) security clearance.

Skill & Certification Requirements

USPTO Registered Patent Agent or USPTO Bar admission is highly preferred.

Deep mastery of MPEP guidelines and 37 CFR regulations.

Exceptional attention to detail with the ability to spot subtle legal or formatting discrepancies.

Strong ability to translate complex regulatory updates into actionable training for staff and attorneys.

Experience with IP Management Software (e.g., FoundationIP, Anaqua, or AppColl) and USPTO search databases.

Possess excellent communication skills (e.g., excellent written and verbal communication skills acquired via customer service work).

Skilled in Microsoft Project Professional.

Skilled in Microsoft SharePoint for version control and repository management.

Ability to establish professional rapport, active listening, and the ability to explain complex technical matters to non-technical personnel.

Ability to produce accurate, clear, and straightforward documentation.

Must be able to see things from the customer’s perspective and maintain a high standard of customer service.