Patent Agent

Who we are: 

Electra is electrifying ironmaking to decarbonize steelmaking and eliminate 3.7 gigatons or 10% of global CO2 emissions. Leveraging proven industrial-scale electrochemical and hydrometallurgical processes, and backed by leading sustainability-focused venture capitalists, our team is developing lower cost, scalable solutions utilizing intermittent renewable energy to forge a cleaner, greener future for the trillion-dollar steel industry.  

With a uniquely collaborative culture, endless passion for developing disruptive technologies, and the opportunity to revolutionize carbon-intensive manufacturing industries, careers at Electra offer challenge, reward, and the chance to bring to market solutions that dramatically improve the health of the planet. 

What you will do: 

Electra is seeking the second member of our in-house Intellectual Property team to support the company in securing intellectual property rights to protect Electra's innovations, while also leveraging intellectual property research for gaining insights into developments of related markets and potential competitors. 

In this role you will:

• Learn Electra's technology and business to gain a deep understanding of Electra's past innovations and future opportunities.
• Prepare and maintain patent landscape analysis summarizing patented development in technology areas related to Electra's current and potential future operations.
• Work with various managers and team members to solicit, complete, and collect invention disclosures from the Electra team.
• Review the state of the art and work with inventors to identify novel features of Electra's technology developments that can be patented. 
• Research prior art patents and non-patent literature to assess patentability of new inventions from the Electra team.
• Work with Electra's Director of IP and outside counsel to assist with preparation and prosecution of Electra's patent applications in the US and other countries.
• Help maintain internal records of patent and other intellectual property.
• Assist in developing portfolio strategies.
• Prepare and deliver trainings to employees on IP topics and workflows.
• Assist with preparing reports to senior management regarding the status of Electra's overall IP portfolio.
• Manage the company's US federal grant-funded "subject inventions" in the iEdison system.
• Support review, administration, and management of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) and other IP related agreements.
• Collaborate with internal teams, vendors, and outside agencies as needed. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

What we need you to bring to the team: 

• Bachelor's degree or higher in chemistry, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, or other related science and/or engineering field of study; or an equivalent combination of related education and experience.
• Fundamental knowledge of basic chemistry.
• At least three years' experience in patent preparation and prosecution in either a law firm or corporate environment. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a wide range of potential audiences.
• Strong writing, research, and technical skills.
• Strong analytical and technical writing skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team.
• Willingness and adaptability to the rapidly changing demands of a fast-growing startup environment. 
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Proficiency with, or ability to quickly learn, Microsoft Office suite of programs including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive, and SharePoint. 

What we want you to bring to the team: 

• Experience with electrochemical systems (patent drafting or more hands-on).
• Experience interviewing inventors to collect invention disclosures.
• Experience developing claim strategies focused on business outcomes.
• Registration to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). 

Physical requirements:

• Ability to stand/sit for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift up to 10 pounds.

Compensation: 

• The anticipated starting pay range for this position is $70,000 - $100,000 annually and may be more or less depending upon skills, experience, and education.

Benefits for you:

• 100% paid premiums across all medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, short-term disability, long-term disability, and basic life insurance plans
• Reasonable use PTO
• $1,800 in annual employer HSA contributions (health savings account)

Benefits for your family:

• 100% paid premiums across all medical, dental, vision, and telemedicine plans
• $3,600 in annual employer HSA contributions (health savings account)
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave and flexible return-to-work options

Benefits for your future:

• 401(k) with up to 5% matching contributions which vest 100% on day one
• Eligibility for incentive stock options