IP Specialist

At Midrex, you will do work that matters alongside people who believe you matter. The work won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. You’ll be part of a great team—with plenty of autonomy—to bring out your best. And you’ll be well compensated and have a best-in-class benefits package. Take a look:

• Competitive benefits effective from Day 1

• Dollar-for-dollar 401(k) matching (up to 6%)

• Profit sharing with 401(k) kicker

• Generous overtime for qualified positions

• 4 weeks of paid vacation

• Tuition reimbursement

• Raffles for professional sports tickets

• Half-day Fridays

• Flexible home/office work practices

• Paid time to volunteer

• Employee recognition awards

Since 1987, Midrex has been the world leader in direct reduction technology, offering the best proven method for decarbonization in the iron and steel industry available today.  Our rapid growth is transforming the steel industry and our planet. And none of it would be possible without our people, who bring vision, compassion, and extraordinary expertise to this work every day.  So, if you’re looking to do big work in a small-team environment, Midrex is just the place for you.

Position Summary: The Intellectual Property Specialist is responsible for supporting Midrex’s innovation and technology protection strategy by working closely with the company’s Intellectual Property Committee, legal team, external patent counsel, and internal technical teammates. This role will manage the administration, maintenance, preparation, drafting, and prosecution of patent applications to ensure the protection of Midrex’s intellectual property assets. The position requires strong technical aptitude, attention to detail, and the ability to translate complex engineering concepts into well-structured and defensible patent filings.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Work with multi-disciplinary groups to implement assigned intellectual property tasks
• Be member of the Intellectual Property Committee and Innovation Team.
• Learn Midrex’s technology working with assigned technical teammates.
• Assist with Intellectual Property strategy and portfolio management.
• Assist the Process Analysis group with the IP database. 
• Serve as liaison between internal technical teams and external patent counsel.
• Work with external IP counsel and internal technical teammates in preparing invention disclosures, drafting and reviewing U.S. and international patent applications, including specifications, claims, abstracts, and drawings.
• Assist in preparing and reviewing responses to USPTO and foreign Office Actions to scrutinize the cited arts.
• Manage patent prosecution activities in collaboration with external patent attorneys to evaluate the risk.
• Review prior art research and patentability analyses to support filing decisions. 
• Evaluate new technologies and provide recommendations regarding patent protection strategy.
• Coordinate domestic and international filings, including PCT applications and national phase entries.
• Work with Midrex’s parent company to monitor competitor patents and industry IP trends to identify risks and opportunities as assigned. Investigate the prior arts to access or invalidate the competitor patents if any risk.  
• Support freedom-to-operate (FTO) assessments and IP risk evaluations.
• Maintain accurate patent records, deadlines, and docketing coordination with legal team and outside counsel.
• Assist in IP-related due diligence activities for commercial agreements, partnerships, or strategic initiatives.
• Provide guidance to internal teams on confidentiality, trade secrets, and best practices for protecting proprietary technology.
• Support cost management and budgeting related to external patent prosecution and maintenance activities.

Skills/Abilities: 

Required:

• Demonstrated experience in patent drafting and patent prosecution
• Strong understanding of U.S. patent law and USPTO procedures
• Experience working with external patent counsel and coordinating prosecution activities
• Ability to interpret complex technical concepts and translate them into clear, defensible patent claims
• Experience conducting prior art searches and patentability assessments
• Strong technical writing and analytical skills
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and coordinate with cross-functional teams
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with patent filing/docketing systems

Preferred:

• Registered U.S. Patent Agent or Patent Attorney (USPTO registration)
• Juris Doctor (JD) degree and active bar membership
• Experience with international patent filings (PCT and foreign national phase)
• Background in industrial process technology, heavy industry, energy systems, or metallurgical processes
• Experience supporting freedom-to-operate (FTO) analyses
• Knowledge of intellectual property portfolio strategy and cost management
• Experience working in a corporate in-house IP environment
• Familiarity with trade secret strategy and IP risk management
• Experience supporting IP due diligence for commercial agreements or partnerships

Education and Experience:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Metallurgical, Chemical, Industrial, or related technical discipline) required
• Minimum of 3+ years of experience in patent drafting and patent prosecution
• Experience working with external patent counsel and managing outside prosecution activities
• Experience collaborating with engineering or technical teams to develop and protect intellectual property
• Experience preparing and reviewing responses to Office Actions
• Experience conducting prior art searches and evaluating patentability

Preferred:

• Advanced degree in Engineering or related technical field preferred
• Juris Doctor (JD) degree preferred
• USPTO registration as a Patent Agent or Patent Attorney preferred
• Experience managing U.S. and international patent filings, including PCT applications preferred
• Experience in an in-house corporate IP environment preferred
• Experience in industrial process technology, heavy industry, or energy-related technologies preferred

Travel Requirements:

• 5% to 15% International and Domestic if necessary.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be physically able to move around inside and outside of the facility, including climbing stairs.
• Able to reach above shoulders and to lift 20 lb.

Other duties:

Please note this position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Midrex is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable laws. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Midrex will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the People and Culture department.