Patent Attorney

Provides broad legal support for the NASA legal enterprise in ensuring that NASA intellectual property is protected.

Prepares, files and prosecutes patent applications at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), including applications, drawings, amendments, affidavits, advocacy before Patent Examiners, motions, petitions and appeal briefs.

Supports legal review of intellectual property provisions in Federal procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements.

Advises on and drafts intellectual property policy guidance, regulations, and procedures, and supports NASA compliance with external legal requirements related to intellectual property.

Supports NASA Technology Transfer Office in providing legal review of license agreements and in reviewing/approving NASA software for release.

Serves as authority on invention disclosures ensuring that legal position/rights of the Agency, inventors, and contractors are clearly defined.

Reviews and coordinates the disposition of administrative claims for infringement of patents or copyrights.

Provides legal review of NASA publications prior to release.

Basic Requirements for all grade levels: You must possess a Juris Doctor (J.D.) or Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from a full course of study at a law school accredited by the American Bar Association; be an active member in good standing of the bar of any state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and have been admitted to practice law before a state or federal court.

You must meet the grade level criteria listed above AND be admitted to the Patent Bar. To qualify for the GS-15: you must meet the basic requirement for all grade levels (as outlined above).

In addition, one of the following requirements must be satisfied: One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level: Preparing and prosecuting chemical, computer science and/or electrical patent applications at the USPTO; Preparing and/or negotiating patent license agreements; and Providing legal advice in the area of intellectual property, including patent, trademark and/or copyright law.

OR A graduate law degree (e.g., Master of Laws/LL.M.) and 1 year of professional legal experience equivalent to the experience described above. Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience.

Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job.

Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of artificial intelligent (AI) or AI-assisted tools during the application process.