Patent Specialist

Patent Specialist (Engineering / IP Focus)

📍 Vancouver, BC
💰 $90,000 – $170,000 CAD

About the Opportunity

A global, innovation-driven organization in the consumer products space is seeking a Patent Specialist to join its Vancouver-based engineering team. This role sits at the intersection of engineering and intellectual property, helping to identify, protect, and strategically manage innovations across a diverse product portfolio.

This is an exciting opportunity for either:

• IP professionals with hands-on patent experience, or
• Engineers looking to transition into intellectual property, with support through mentorship and formal training.

What You’ll Be Doing

Invention & Disclosure Management

• Collaborate with engineering teams to identify and extract patentable ideas
• Translate technical concepts into structured invention disclosures
• Act as a key liaison between engineering teams, global IP stakeholders, and external counsel

Patent Evaluation & Filing

• Conduct or coordinate prior art and patentability searches
• Evaluate novelty, commercial value, and competitive positioning
• Support patent drafting and filing in partnership with external counsel
• Ensure timely and high-quality prosecution processes

Freedom to Operate (FTO) & Risk Management

• Conduct or support FTO analyses during product development
• Identify potential infringement risks and recommend mitigation strategies
• Partner with stakeholders to develop design-around solutions
• Monitor competitor activity and emerging IP risks

Portfolio & Process Management

• Maintain patent databases and track IP portfolio performance
• Support decisions around continuations, abandonments, and licensing opportunities
• Manage IP-related costs and timelines
• Improve IP processes and integrate IP into product development workflows

Training & Collaboration

• Educate engineering teams on IP awareness and best practices
• Foster strong cross-functional partnerships across technical and legal teams

What You Bring

Required:

• Degree in Engineering or related technical field, or equivalent IP experience

Preferred Experience:

• Patents, invention disclosures, or prior art research
• Product design or development engineering
• Freedom to Operate (FTO) analysis
• IP database/search tools (e.g., Patricia or similar)
• Patent Agent qualification or relevant IP coursework (asset)
• U.S. IP law experience with ~5+ years in clearance/prosecution (asset for senior candidates)

Key Skills & Attributes

• Strong technical curiosity and passion for innovation
• Ability to translate between engineering and legal concepts
• High learning agility and adaptability
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Strong organization and ability to manage multiple priorities
• Detail-oriented with a disciplined, process-driven mindset

Why This Role?

• Work at the forefront of innovation and product development
• Gain exposure to a global IP strategy and portfolio
• Opportunity for career development and specialization in IP
• Collaborative, cross-functional environment

Diversity & Inclusion

Our client is committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of background or identity.

To apply for this position, please send your Word formatted resume to assigned heena.raza@trsstaffing.com 
 
We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those selected for interviews will be contacted. TRS is an equal opportunity company. 

TRS Staffing Solutions (Canada) Inc. specializes in supplying engineers, designers, project managers, and other technical and professional services personnel to a broad spectrum of industries worldwide.