Patent Agent, Software

HarkSan Jose Legal

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Opens the official Hark careers page

Salary

$150K - $220K USD

Job type

Full-time

Posted

20 Sept 2026

Status

Open · checked 7d ago

About this role

Role Overview

Hark is seeking a Software Patent Agent to build and manage the software side of its patent portfolio from the ground up in San Jose. This full-time position suits an experienced patent professional who wants to take ownership of intellectual property strategy within an artificial intelligence environment.

Key Responsibilities

Build and execute the patent strategy for software platforms, models, and inference systems.

Collaborate directly with research scientists and engineers to uncover patentable inventions.

Draft and prosecute international and U.S. applications covering machine learning architectures and software platforms.

Prepare office action responses, conduct examiner interviews, and develop strategies for claim scope.

Review demos, technical blogs, and research publications ahead of disclosure to manage bar dates.

Advise the team on defensive publications, trade secrets, and patent protections.

Review filings from outside counsel and coordinate foreign prosecution strategy.

Conduct prior art analyses, patentability assessments, and support freedom-to-operate milestones.

Handle assignment hygiene, inventorship determinations, and information disclosure statement practices.

Requirements

Active registration number to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Bachelor's degree or higher in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or a closely related technical field.

At least 5 years of experience drafting and prosecuting software patent applications either in-house or at a firm.

Deep working knowledge of subject matter eligibility under §101 with a proven track record of getting software claims allowed.

Professional background at a platform, software, or artificial intelligence company.

Comfortable operating in ambiguity and establishing prosecution processes from scratch.

Hands-on drafting capability with strong written communication and exceptional attention to detail.

Nice to Have

Prosecution background in neural network architectures, machine learning, compiler and runtime optimization, or distributed systems.

Familiarity with defensive patent arrangements and open-source license patent provisions.

Experience overseeing large international portfolios across various jurisdictions.

Prior software engineering or machine learning research experience, or an advanced technical degree.

Skills and Tools

Software patent drafting and prosecution

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office procedures

§101 subject matter eligibility analysis

Office action responses and examiner interviews

Prior art and patentability analysis

Portfolio management and strategy

Salary and Benefits

US base salary range: $150,000 to $220,000 annually.

Pay may vary based on individual factors such as experience, skills, and job-related knowledge.

Additional components or benefits may be included depending on the specific role.

About the Company

Hark is an artificial intelligence company creating advanced, personalized intelligence paired with next-generation hardware. The company focuses on agentic systems and multimodal models designed to act as a unified interface between humans and the real world.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should visit the official Hark careers page to submit an application for this position.

Questions candidates ask

What is the location of this job?

This position is located in San Jose.

What is the salary range for the Patent Agent, Software role?

The US base salary ranges from $150,000 to $220,000 annually, depending on experience and other individual factors.

What qualifications are required for the education background?

Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree or higher in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a closely related technical discipline.

How many years of experience are required?

Candidates must have 5 or more years of experience drafting and prosecuting software patent applications.

Is registration with the USPTO required?

Yes, applicants must be registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and possess an active registration number.

Ready to apply?

The application is on the official Hark careers page.

Apply on company site