Patent Agent, Intellectual Property

At Dow, we believe in putting people first and we’re passionate about delivering integrity, respect and safety to our customers, our employees and the planet.  

 

Our people are at the heart of our solutions. They reflect the communities we live in and the world where we do business. Their diversity is our strength. We’re a community of relentless problem solvers that offers the daily opportunity to contribute with your perspective, transform industries and shape the future. Our purpose is simple - to deliver a sustainable future for the world through science and collaboration. If you’re looking for a challenge and meaningful role, you’re in the right place. 

About you and this role

Dow has an exciting opportunity for a Patent Agent at its headquarters in Midland, Michigan.   

 

In this role, you will serve as a Patent Agent that independently provides patent counsel across a variety of businesses, in consultation with internal and external legal experts as appropriate. This requires in-depth conceptual and practical knowledge in your job discipline and basic knowledge of related job disciplines to solve complex problems. You may lead projects or project steps within a broader project, with manageable risks and resource requirements, or may have accountability for on-going activities or objectives. You will act as a resource for colleagues with less experience and work independently with minimal guidance. 

 

A major focus will be the drafting and prosecution of patent applications (at least 75% of time).

Key Responsibilities

• Draft and prosecute patent applications in multiple countries for one or more Dow businesses, functions and technologies (including oversight of outside counsel); 
• Consult with and counsel Dow businesses and functions to define patent strategies and control costs; 
• Under the direction of an Attorney, advise on freedom to practice issues relating to patent infringement and validity.

Additional Responsibilities

• Provide client legal training and education on a variety of intellectual property-related topics. 
• Review and drafts legal documents. 
• Manage outside counsel and other external resources. 
• Collaborate with internal legal and technical subject matter experts and other Company resources. 
• Direct paralegals and other support staff. 

 

Qualifications

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering or a related science. 
• A minimum of 2 years practicing as a Patent Agent. 
• Registered to practice and in good standing in the United States Patent and Trademark Office. 
• A minimum requirement for this U.S. based position is the ability to work legally in the United States.  No visa sponsorship/support is available for this position, including for any type of U.S. permanent residency (green card) process. 

Your Skills

• Initiative – Must be a self-starter willing to take a strategic perspective to legal challenges, assume a leadership role, and support team endeavors; must possess legal knowledge and skills required to recognize, analyze, and resolve a variety of legal issues; must be able to perform under pressure in a professional and mature manner; must be able to recognize and take appropriate risks.
• Teamwork/Interpersonal Effectiveness – Requires ability to think and act strategically and handle challenging legal issues while letting go and trusting other professionals (paralegals and other staff) to perform their core legal responsibilities. A flexible style and excellent interpersonal skills are essential characteristics required to interact effectively with a variety of people inside and outside of Company. Must be able to work (not always in a lead role) as part of a cross functional team and build effective client relationships. Close teamwork and collegiality with others on the legal team is essential. Respect for inclusiveness and fostering diversity of thought and style are critical.
• Professional Ethics – Intense dedication and commitment to the job is essential. Hours match the needs of clients and the demands of specific projects. The ability to be reached by clients and others on the legal staff during off-hours is important. Ease of interaction and spontaneous communication are also key to a strong and beneficial client counseling relationship.
• Consulting – Understands the short- and long-term needs of clients and colleagues and provides expertise to improve business and functional results.
• Legal Practices – Understands and appropriately and effectively responds to legal issues relevant to Intellectual Property.
• Project Management – Applies skills on individual or team projects to utilize available resources, reduce cycle time, and provide value-added outcomes.

Additional Notes

Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

 

Benefits – What Dow offers you 

We invest in you. 
 

Dow invests in total rewards programs to help you manage all aspects of you: your pay, your health, your life, your future, and your career. You bring your background, talent, and perspective to work every day. Dow rewards that commitment by investing in your total wellbeing.  

Here are just a few highlights of what you would be offered as a Dow employee: 

• Equitable and market-competitive base pay and bonus opportunity across our global markets, along with locally relevant incentives. 
• Benefits and programs to support your physical, mental, financial, and social well-being, to help you get the care you need...when you need it. 
• Competitive retirement program that may include company-provided benefits, savings opportunities, financial planning, and educational resources to help you achieve your long term financial-goals. 
  • Employee stock purchase programs (availability varies depending on location).
• Student Debt Retirement Savings Match Program (U.S. only).
  • Dow will take the value of monthly student debt payments and apply them as if they are contributions to the Employees’ Savings Plan (401(k)), helping employees reach the Company match.
• Robust medical and life insurance packages that offer a variety of coverage options to meet your individual needs. Travel insurance is also available in certain countries/locations.
• Opportunities to learn and grow through training and mentoring, work experiences, community involvement and team building. 
• Workplace culture empowering role-based flexibility to maximize personal productivity and balance personal needs. 
• Competitive yearly vacation allowance.
• Paid time off for new parents (birthing and non-birthing, including adoptive and foster parents).  
• Paid time off to care for family members who are sick or injured.  
• Paid time off to support volunteering and Employee Resource Group’s (ERG) participation. 
• Wellbeing Portal for all Dow employees, our one-stop shop to promote wellbeing, empowering employees to take ownership of their entire wellbeing journey.
• On-site fitness facilities to help stay healthy and active (availability varies depending on location).
• Employee discounts for online shopping, cinema tickets, gym memberships and more.
• Additionally, some of our locations might offer:
  • Transportation allowance (availability varies depending on location)
  • Meal subsidiaries/vouchers (availability varies depending on location)
  • Carbon-neutral transportation incentives e.g. bike to work (availability varies depending on location)

Join our team, we can make a difference together.

About Dow

Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world’s leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Our global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enable us to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. We operate manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employ approximately 35,900 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $45 billion in 2023. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. ​​​​Learn more about us and our ambition to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world by visiting www.dow.com.

As part of our dedication to the diversity of our workforce, Dow is committed to equal opportunities in employment.  We encourage every employee to bring their whole self to work each day to not only deliver more value, but also have a more fulfilling career. Further information regarding Dow's equal opportunities is available on www.dow.com.

Dow is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is committed to providing opportunities without regard for race, color, religion, sex, including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity, national origin, age, disability and genetic information, including family medical history. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may call us at 1-833-My Dow HR (833-693-6947) and select option 8.