Legal Specialist – IP Operations

Qualcomm · San Diego · $34.60–$51.90/hr (stated in the posting)

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General Summary:

Job Overview: The Intellectual Property Department within the Legal function has an opportunity in its Operations team for a Legal Specialist focused on patent prosecution support and IP operations. This position plays an important role in supporting the department's patent portfolio by coordinating prosecution activities, maintaining accurate patent records, and ensuring timely execution of domestic and international patent filings and related obligations.

The role is designed for an organized and detail-oriented legal professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys managing multiple priorities. The individual will work closely with patent attorneys, patent agents, legal operations professionals, outside counsel, and foreign associates to support patent prosecution activities across the patent life cycle. Responsibilities include preparing and processing patent-related documents, maintaining docket and records systems, monitoring deadlines, and helping ensure compliance with U.S. and international patent requirements.

This position requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to learn and apply patent prosecution procedures, legal requirements, and department processes. The emphasis is on accurate execution, effective collaboration, and operational excellence while contributing to the efficient management of Qualcomm's global patent portfolio. The successful candidate will develop expertise in patent prosecution practices, IP systems, and legal operations while supporting the department's commitment to innovation and high-quality service. The role executes patent prosecution activities in accordance with established procedures, approved instructions, quality standards, and departmental processes, and escalates non-routine or complex matters as appropriate.

**Position requires to be in San Diego, full time**

**This position is not eligible for Qualcomm immigration sponsorship.**

Responsibilities:

• Support U.S., PCT, and foreign patent prosecution activities by preparing, reviewing, filing, and maintaining patent-related documents and correspondence under the guidance of attorneys, patent agents, and senior legal professionals.
• Maintain accurate patent records and docket information by reviewing incoming correspondence, updating deadlines, monitoring actions, and ensuring patent matters are properly tracked throughout the prosecution lifecycle.
• Assist with the preparation and electronic filing of patent applications and prosecution documents through Patent Center, ePCT, and other applicable filing systems, including provisional, non-provisional, PCT, continuation, divisional, and design applications.
• Prepare and process patent prosecution documentation, including Information Disclosure Statements (IDS), declarations, assignments, powers of attorney, preliminary amendments, issue fee payments, requests for extensions of time, and other patent formalities.
• Coordinate with outside counsel and foreign associates to facilitate patent filings, obtain required documentation, communicate filing instructions, and support compliance with U.S. and international patent requirements.
• Review and process incoming USPTO, foreign associate, and outside counsel correspondence, distribute materials to appropriate stakeholders, and assist with timely responses and follow-up actions.
• Generate, maintain, and distribute docket reports and patent status reports while helping attorneys and patent agents track upcoming deadlines and required actions.
• Enter, verify, and maintain patent data within docketing, records management, and other legal systems with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Maintain accurate status updates, comments, action notes, and activity records within departmental systems to support visibility, reporting, and effective management of patent matters. 
• Conduct research and gather information from internal and external resources to support patent prosecution, legal operations, and department requests.
• Maintain organized electronic records and documentation in accordance with departmental procedures and legal requirements.
• Support department initiatives and operational projects aimed at improving patent prosecution processes, data quality, reporting, and efficiency.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of process documentation, job aids, and standard operating procedures to support consistent execution of IP operation activities.
• Build effective working relationships with attorneys, patent agents, legal operations personnel, outside counsel, and foreign associates to support timely and accurate completion of patent-related activities.
• Manage multiple assignments and competing priorities while meeting quality, accuracy, and timeliness expectations.
• Escalate issues, risks, or unusual circumstances to senior team members as appropriate and seek guidance when necessary.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Business Acumen:

• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accuracy when handling patent prosecution documents, correspondence, and docket information.
• Ability to understand and apply patent prosecution procedures, department processes, and legal requirements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact professionally with attorneys, patent agents, outside counsel, foreign associates, and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to identify issues, gather relevant information, and follow established procedures to support effective problem resolution.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment while maintaining accountability for individual assignments.
• Comfortable learning new systems, technologies, tools, and processes related to patent prosecution and legal operations.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and business needs while maintaining a high level of service and professionalism.

Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Bachelor's degree and 1+ year of experience in a legal, intellectual property, or related professional environment; OR
• Paralegal Certificate and 1+ year of experience supporting legal or intellectual property activities; OR
• High School Diploma or equivalent and 3+ years of experience in legal administration, docketing, intellectual property support, or a related field.
• Experience working in a corporate legal department or law firm environment.
• Basic knowledge of USPTO patent prosecution procedures, rules, and forms.
• Experience using Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and document management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage detailed work accurately and efficiently.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting U.S. and international patent prosecution activities.
• Knowledge of patent filing procedures, deadlines, and patent prosecution workflows.
• Experience using patent docketing systems, records management systems, and legal databases.
• Familiarity with USPTO Patent Center, ePCT, and other patent filing tools.
• Experience working with outside counsel and foreign associates.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other data management tools.
• Ability to interpret patent correspondence, legal documents, and filing requirements.
• Experience supporting a high-volume patent portfolio in a corporate legal department or intellectual property law firm.
• Experience maintaining patent dockets, monitoring prosecution deadlines, and supporting docket-related reporting activities. 
• Experience maintaining status records, action notes, and case documentation within patent docketing or case management systems. 

Minimum Qualifications:

Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here. Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).

To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies: Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.

EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.

Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.

Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:

The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm.  We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus).  In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer – and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link.

If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers.

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