Ciena is hiring a Patent Agent

Ciena is hiring a Patent Agent to join its legal department and strategically manage the company’s worldwide patents and patent applications in the optical networking area. This is a remote role based anywhere in North America.

What You'll Do

• Work with the patent prosecution team to strategically manage Ciena’s worldwide patent portfolio of more than 3,000 properties.
• Receive and evaluate invention disclosures.
• Contribute during internal Patent Review Board meetings.
• Manage outside patent prosecution counsel.
• Provide litigation and licensing support.
• Work closely with the Head of Litigation to support litigation, licensing and other IP projects.

What We're Looking For

• B.S. degree in electrical engineering, physics, telecommunication engineering or software engineering.
• Registered Patent Agent.
• 5+ years of US patent prosecution and/or litigation experience in a law firm and/or corporate legal department.
• Experience working with non-US patent offices, with a focus on Europe, India and Asia.
• Strong technical knowledge of optical telecommunication networks, including WDM and PON networks and associated devices.
• Deep understanding of patent drafting, claim construction and claim charting for infringement and invalidity analysis, especially in the electrical arts.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills across all reporting levels of an organization.
• Self-starter capable of working independently and as part of a team.

Nice to Have

• Advanced degree or commensurate work experience in electrical engineering, physics, telecommunication engineering or software engineering.
• Experience managing a patent portfolio, invention intake system, and patent review board process.
• Experience participating in patent litigations in US federal court and/or administrative post-grant proceedings at the USPTO.
• Experience conducting patent prior art searches, evidence of use claim chartings, and freedom to operate analyses.
• Experience reviewing and crafting claim charts to assess claim scope as related to industry standards and contributions to standards development organizations.
• Technical knowledge of software for optical telecommunication networks, including WDM and PON networks and AI assisted network management.
• Familiarity with AI assisted prior art searching and claim charting for infringement and invalidity.

Team & Environment

This role reports to the Head of Patent Prosecution.

Benefits & Compensation

• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Participation in 401(K) (USA) & DCPP (Canada) with company matching.
• Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Company-paid holidays.
• Paid sick leave and vacation time.
• Compliance with all applicable laws regarding Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence.
• Non-Sales employees may be eligible for a discretionary incentive bonus.
• Sales employees may be eligible for a sales commission.

Work Mode

This is a remote position open to candidates anywhere in North America.

Ciena is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Ciena values the diversity of its workforce and respects its employees as individuals.