Patent Agent

Join Kyocera International, Inc. We’re hiring a Patent Agent at our San Diego facility!

Salary Range:
Pay Range $111,352 - $161,235 annually
(Final offer based on experience, education, skills, and market factors)

Why Kyocera? With nearly 80,000 employees worldwide, Kyocera is a global leader in advanced ceramic technologies used in aerospace, automotive, medical, and semiconductor industries. Our materials power everything from smartphones to space shuttles — and we’re just getting started.

What Makes Us Stand Out? We don’t just offer jobs — we offer careers with purpose, stability, and growth. Here’s what you can expect:

Generous Time Off

• 3 weeks of vacation to start (120 hours/year)
• 10 paid holidays annually

Financial Wellness

• Competitive pay
• 401(k) with company match
• Employer‑paid pension plan

Comprehensive Health Coverage

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Investing in You

• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid time off to volunteer
• Flexible schedules

Work‑Life Balance & Culture

• Onsite gyms, walking tracks, and employee gardens at larger locations
• Long‑tenured team (many with 30+ years of service!)
• Inclusive and diverse workforce
• A company philosophy rooted in doing the right thing as a human being

Our Philosophy Kyocera’s culture is deeply inspired by our founder, Dr. Kazuo Inamori. His values guide our decisions and shape our workplace. Learn more about our guiding principles here:
Kyocera Values.

Ready to Make a Difference? Apply today and become part of a team that’s shaping the future — one innovation at a time.

Exempt: Yes

Safety Sensitive: No

The Patent Agent is responsible for working with the Legal and IP team, outside patent prosecution and litigation counsel, and KII’s R&D and business units, to identify inventions, draft provisional patent applications, assist in drafting and prosecuting non‑provisional patent applications, and perform patent‑related research and analysis.

• A degree in electrical engineering, telecommunications engineering, RF/RFIC engineering, or equivalent technical experience.
• A minimum of three years of work experience in the electrical/telecommunications/RFIC technologies patent prosecution field.
• Familiarity with Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) practice is preferred.
• Candidates currently licensed to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as an agent are preferred, but consideration will be made to candidates with experience who are planning to take the Bar.

• Evaluating the patentability of innovations and invention disclosures.
• Preparing, drafting and filing provisional patent applications.
• Drafting responses to domestic and foreign Office Actions.
• Performing research and analysis and providing guidance on a variety of patent and Intellectual Property related issues.
• Performing prior art database searches for patentability and freedom to operate analyses.
• Preparing draft amendments to patent claims, specifications and abstracts.
• Assisting patent attorneys with global prosecution, monitoring and reporting complex patent families.

• Experience in harvesting patent applications from research and development teams, drafting provisional patent applications based on discussions with engineers and/or invention disclosures, and assisting in the prosecution of pending applications.
• Proficiency in Windows operating systems and Microsoft Office Suite and/or related software. Familiarity with docketing systems and patent search tools.
• Excellent academic credentials and references.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Strong problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize and manage time effectively and handle a variety of tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent organization and communication skills, both oral and written.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

While performing the functions of this job, the employee is continuously required to sit, talk or hear; regularly required to stand; frequently required to walk; and occasionally required to reach…