Patent Agent III

Inside the Role

The employee will be a member of the IP, Data, and Technology Team within the Legal Department, and will partner with Daimler Truck North America’s business teams to protect the Company’s intellectual property, with a focus on patents. The position will be expected to be flexible in accepting a wide variety of assignments related to intellectual property and be a main point of contact regarding patent matters for diverse departments within DTNA.

Posting Information

We provide a scheduled posting end date to assist our candidates with their application planning. While this date reflects our latest plans, it is subject to change, and postings may be extended or removed earlier than expected.

We Take Care of Our Team

What You Drive at DTNA

• Assist in the development and growth of DTNA’s patent strategy, including growing DTNA’s active patent portfolio
• Advise internal business partners on DTNA’s patent strategy
• Execute DTNA’s patent portfolio and patent prosecution activities, including reviewing and improving patent application drafts, collaborating with outside counsel on office actions responses, and connecting with business partners on patent maintenance decisions
• Strategically harvest new inventions in a variety of technical areas for new patent application filings, and perform patentability assessments
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders and outside counsel on freedom to operate topics, including leading the examination of third-party IP rights
• Support in-house and outside counsel on IP litigation topics, including enforcement of DTNA’s patent rights
• Continue to grow and develop DTNA’s design patent portfolio and help improve DTNA’s design patent strategy, including partnering with engineering, design, and aftermarket stakeholders
• Complete IP landscaping and competitor analyses
• Consult on contractual matters involving IP language/provisions, including non-disclosure and joint development agreements
• Enhance invention disclosure processes/procedures with supporting paralegal
• Provide training to various business partners on IP related topics

Knowledge You Should Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, or a related technical field.
• 4 years of experience in patent prosecution, intellectual property management, or a related IP role (in‑house or law firm).
• Registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as a Patent Agent
• Demonstrated experience preparing, reviewing, and prosecuting patent applications, including collaborating with outside counsel.
• Experience working with U.S. and international patent systems, including office action responses and maintenance decisions.
• Proven ability to identify, evaluate, and harvest new inventions across diverse technical areas.
• Experience conducting patentability assessments, prior art searches, and IP landscape analyses.
• Familiarity with freedom-to-operate (FTO) evaluations, including analyzing third‑party patent rights.
• Strong understanding of design patents and design‑focused IP strategies (or willingness/aptitude to develop quickly).
• Experience supporting IP litigation or enforcement activities involving patents.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to provide training and guidance on IP topics to internal business partners.
• High attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and the ability to manage multiple IP matters simultaneously.

Exceptional Candidates Might Have

• Ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, design, legal, and business stakeholders.
• Experience in automotive, manufacturing, engineering, or heavy‑duty vehicle technologies.
• Experience reviewing or drafting IP provisions in contracts, including NDAs and joint development agreements.
• Prior in‑house experience managing or growing a corporate patent portfolio.

Where We Work

This position is open to applicants who can work in (or relocate to) the following location(s)-

Portland, OR US. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Schedule Type:

Hybrid (4 days per week in-office / 1 day remote). This schedule builds our #OneTeamBestTeam culture, provides an unparalleled customer experience, and creates innovative solutions through in-person collaboration.

At Daimler Truck North America, we recognize our world is changing faster than ever before. By listening to the needs of today, we’re building to solve with cutting-edge solutions in sustainability and future driving technology across electric, hydrogen and autonomous. These solutions, backed by years of innovative success and achievement, continue DTNA’s legacy as the undisputed industry leader. Our evolving brand portfolio is second to none, including Freightliner Trucks, Western Star, Demand Detroit, Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis, and Financial Services. Together, we work as one team towards our envisioned future – building a cleaner, safer and more efficient tomorrow for all.

That is what we are working toward - for all who keep the world moving.

Additional Information

• This position is not open for Visa sponsorship or to existing Visa holders
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work permanently in the country the position is located in at the time of application
• Final candidate must successfully complete a criminal background check
• Final candidate may be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen
• Contractors, professional services, or other contingent workers should confirm with their local agency if they are eligible to apply for FTE positions
• EEO - Disabled/Veterans

Daimler Truck North America is committed to workforce inclusion and providing an environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, age, marital status, family relationship, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (including transgender and transitioning status), genetic information, or veteran status.

For an accommodation or special assistance with applying for a posted position, please contact our Human Resources department at 503-745-8982 or toll free 800-206-3369. For TTY/TDD enabled call 503-745-2137 or toll free 866-355-6935.

Please see above for qualification details

At Daimler Truck, we promote diversity and foster an inclusive corporate culture. We value the individual strengths of our employees, as these lead to the best team performance and thus to the success of our company. Inclusion and Equal opportunities are important to us – regardless of where you come from and who you are. We look forward to receiving applications from people of all cultures and genders, parents, people with disabilities and people from the LGBTIQ+ community.