Job title: NEW ROLE: Mechanical Engineering Patent Attorney (NQ-3PQE)
Discipline: Mechanical Engineering
Technologies: Ability to work in the field of mechanical engineering including electromechanical systems, control systems, robotics, manufacturing, fluid mechanics.
Preferred minimum level of qualification: Chartered & European Patent Attorney with experience in the relevant technologies since joining the patent profession.
EIP tech group: EIP Dynamics
Term: Permanent, Full-time (three days in the office & two days working from home)
Following hot on the heels of the 2024 vacancy in Dynamics, we ae looking for an NQ-2PQE attorney to join our mechanical engineering group.
EIP is award-winning and specialises in high-value and complex patents with offices in Europe and the US. Our multidisciplinary team combines patent attorneys, litigators and commercial IP lawyers in three of the world’s main patent markets – Germany, UK and USA, and now also in the Nordics through our recent expansion into Sweden. EIP has an ever-growing client base, from major multinationals through exciting mid-stage IP-rich companies, to highly innovative start-ups, across the world.
The approach to progress is highly meritocratic, with patent attorneys at all levels receiving support through a sophisticated training program. New trainees get exposure to clients from the day of joining. Those who join us share in the team's stand-out visibility in the world of patents and get to celebrate our award wins.
Since 2018 EIP has been a seven-time winner of European or UK Patent Contentious Firm of the Year by leading IP magazine, Managing IP. The Financial Times lists EIP as a leading European patent law firm, awarding us a gold star for mechanical engineering every year since the listings began, and recently awarding us the highest possible ranking (gold stars across all six technology areas). Feedback received from clients and peers rates EIP as “unstuffy and its staff are very personable”, with “excellent technical and legal expertise”, and they “combine an exceptional professional ethic with impressive technical diligence”.
Diversity is an intrinsic part of EIP’s business culture. We are proud to support the IP Inclusive initiative and we are a signatory to the IP Inclusive Charter. EIP actively engages in diversity efforts and is committed to developing an attitude of openness for the benefit of all those working in the IP profession.
About EIP Dynamics
EIP Dynamics is our mechanical and electrical engineering practice, which advises start-ups, SMEs and multinationals in a wide range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, marine, transport & logistics, household appliances, computer hardware, consumer goods, and packaging.
The team works closely with companies to get a deep understanding of their businesses and markets and help them achieve their commercial objectives by obtaining tailored patent protection, defending patent rights when their validity is attacked, and managing risks posed by third-party patent rights.
About The Role
EIP Dynamics is looking for a newly qualified patent attorney to join our UK business. The practice is continuing to develop at a rapid rate and we are looking for a talented professional to help out with increased work demands from existing clients and new work demands from recent client acquisitions.
Typically, the subject-matter of the technical work will include manufacturing, transport (e.g. marine and aeronautical), packaging, and consumer product technologies. This is almost exclusively direct client work on behalf of UK-based and multinational companies across various sectors. There will also be the opportunity to work with colleagues in other EIP teams (such as EIP Digital) as and when opportunities arise.
A large portion of the work will be drafting patent applications, with prosecution and advice work (such as freedom-to-operate, infringement & validity) making up much of the remainder. There is scope to handle registered designs work. From time to time, opportunities also arise to undertake a part-time secondment to some of our UK-based clients.
The position will can be based at any of the UK offices but can will necessitate regular travel to Bath if based elsewhere.
Experience, Skills & Qualifications
You will be comfortable working in a modern, fast-paced environment where you are given a level of autonomy to do your work.
You will be a newly qualified attorney, ideally both UK and European qualified. Applicants with just UK or European qualification will be considered, as will those with 1 or 2 exams remaining. You will ideally have experience of working with direct clients, and be comfortable providing advice to people having varying degrees of IP experience.
You will have a significant amount of experience of drafting patent applications relating to mechanical technologies.
An academic background in mechanical engineering is preferred, but not essential. More important is demonstrable experience of patent work in this field.
Successful candidates will also be able to demonstrate the following:
- An appropriate professional attitude (personable, well prepared, flexible and enthusiastic)
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Ability to express complex ideas clearly and concisely, and the ability to structure a precise and coherent argument
- Ability to deal with a variety of people at different levels
- Ability to balance knowledge of intellectual property law against commercial requirements
- Ability to work under pressure, which may be the result of competing and inflexible deadlines when working for more than one client at the same time
- Excellent research and presentation skills
- Meticulous attention to detail, and an analytical mind
- Initiative, accountability and the ability to act independently and manage own workload.
Other Information
With our state-of-the-art paperless systems, we offer hybrid working, three days in the office and two from home. EIP’s employees also enjoy reduced business hours on the days when working from the office subject to there being no urgent work commitments.
EIP has a friendly, progressive and mutually supportive working environment along with a smart casual dress policy and stylish modern offices.
Rewards & Benefits
We offer a competitive salary and several benefits:
- Bonus Scheme
- 25 days of holiday, excluding bank holidays
- Private medical health care
- Free eye tests
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Season ticket loan
- Electric vehicle scheme
- Group personal pension plan
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption, and shared parental leave
- Holiday loyalty
- Volunteering Leave
Equal opportunities
EIP is an equal opportunities employer that values diversity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religious practice or any other perceived differences.
