Senior Patent Agent
Grainger, Homer Glen, IL, United States
Position Details
Patent Agent reports to the Associate General Counsel, GTG & Endless Assortment, and supports Grainger's intellectual property portfolio. The role is responsible for patent harvesting, reviewing the patent landscape, and analyzing intellectual property to support innovation and business strategy. Candidates with prior experience as USPTO Patent Examiners are strongly encouraged to apply. Remote/virtual candidates may be considered.
Compensation Base pay: $103,600.00 – $172,600.00. Eligible for an incentive target of up to 10% based on performance objectives.
Benefits
Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans with coverage starting on day one of employment and six free therapy sessions each year to support emotional wellbeing.
18 paid time off (PTO) days annually for full‑time employees and six company holidays per year.
6% company contribution to a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan each pay period, no employee contribution required.
Employee discounts, tuition reimbursement, student loan refinancing and free access to financial counseling, education, and tools.
Maternity support programs, nursing benefits, and up to 14 weeks paid leave for birth parents and up to 4 weeks paid leave for non‑birth parents.
You Will
Conduct patent mining activities to identify invention disclosures and innovation opportunities within Grainger’s business units.
Conduct prior‑art database searches for patentability and freedom to operate analyses and competitive intelligence purposes.
Collaborate with inventors, engineers, and business stakeholders to assess patentability, strengthen Grainger’s IP portfolio, and align IP strategy with business goals.
Manage and maintain the patent portfolio, ensuring all deadlines are met. Protect and maintain any highly sensitive, confidential, privileged, financial, and/or proprietary information.
Coordinate with affiliated legal resources (including outside counsel and in‑house IP Paralegal) to grow internal patent knowledge. Support training and awareness initiatives to enhance innovation and patent culture across the company.
Maintain organized records of invention disclosures, prior art, and competitor patent activity.
Monitor and analyze patent trends in key technology areas relevant to Grainger’s business.
Assist with the preparation of reports and presentations to leadership regarding IP strategy, portfolio status, and competitor activity.
You Have
Bachelor’s Degree in science, engineering, or related field (required).
Master’s Degree in science, engineering, or related field (preferred).
3+ years of patent analysis, patent research, or intellectual property support (required).
Experience as a USPTO Patent Examiner, Patent Agent, or equivalent IP role (preferred).
Strong analytical and research skills, with proficiency in patent databases and IP management tools.
Ability to synthesize complex technical and legal information into clear, actionable insights.
Excellent organization, facilitation, and project‑management skills.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively partner with legal, technical, and business teams.
Familiarity with USPTO, EPO, and other global patent systems and procedures.
Experience working in a corporate IP or R&D environment (preferred).
Registered U.S. patent agent or be eligible to sit for the USPTO required examination.
Sponsorship This position is not eligible for any form of sponsorship now or in the future. Individuals requiring sponsorship (e.g., OPT or H1B visa status) should not apply. Only individuals authorized to work in the United States now and for the foreseeable future will be considered for this position.
EEO Statement We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal‑opportunity workplace.
We are committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible work environment that includes providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities during the application and hiring process as well as throughout the course of one’s employment. Should you need a reasonable accommodation during the application and selection process, please advise us so that we can provide appropriate assistance.
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Compensation Base pay: $103,600.00 – $172,600.00. Eligible for an incentive target of up to 10% based on performance objectives.
Benefits
Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans with coverage starting on day one of employment and six free therapy sessions each year to support emotional wellbeing.
18 paid time off (PTO) days annually for full‑time employees and six company holidays per year.
6% company contribution to a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan each pay period, no employee contribution required.
Employee discounts, tuition reimbursement, student loan refinancing and free access to financial counseling, education, and tools.
Maternity support programs, nursing benefits, and up to 14 weeks paid leave for birth parents and up to 4 weeks paid leave for non‑birth parents.
You Will
Conduct patent mining activities to identify invention disclosures and innovation opportunities within Grainger’s business units.
Conduct prior‑art database searches for patentability and freedom to operate analyses and competitive intelligence purposes.
Collaborate with inventors, engineers, and business stakeholders to assess patentability, strengthen Grainger’s IP portfolio, and align IP strategy with business goals.
Manage and maintain the patent portfolio, ensuring all deadlines are met. Protect and maintain any highly sensitive, confidential, privileged, financial, and/or proprietary information.
Coordinate with affiliated legal resources (including outside counsel and in‑house IP Paralegal) to grow internal patent knowledge. Support training and awareness initiatives to enhance innovation and patent culture across the company.
Maintain organized records of invention disclosures, prior art, and competitor patent activity.
Monitor and analyze patent trends in key technology areas relevant to Grainger’s business.
Assist with the preparation of reports and presentations to leadership regarding IP strategy, portfolio status, and competitor activity.
You Have
Bachelor’s Degree in science, engineering, or related field (required).
Master’s Degree in science, engineering, or related field (preferred).
3+ years of patent analysis, patent research, or intellectual property support (required).
Experience as a USPTO Patent Examiner, Patent Agent, or equivalent IP role (preferred).
Strong analytical and research skills, with proficiency in patent databases and IP management tools.
Ability to synthesize complex technical and legal information into clear, actionable insights.
Excellent organization, facilitation, and project‑management skills.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively partner with legal, technical, and business teams.
Familiarity with USPTO, EPO, and other global patent systems and procedures.
Experience working in a corporate IP or R&D environment (preferred).
Registered U.S. patent agent or be eligible to sit for the USPTO required examination.
Sponsorship This position is not eligible for any form of sponsorship now or in the future. Individuals requiring sponsorship (e.g., OPT or H1B visa status) should not apply. Only individuals authorized to work in the United States now and for the foreseeable future will be considered for this position.
EEO Statement We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal‑opportunity workplace.
We are committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible work environment that includes providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities during the application and hiring process as well as throughout the course of one’s employment. Should you need a reasonable accommodation during the application and selection process, please advise us so that we can provide appropriate assistance.
#J-18808-Ljbffr