Patent Agent

Working with Us

Challenging. Meaningful. Life‑changing. Those aren't words that are usually associated with a job. But working at Bristol Myers Squibb is anything but usual. Here, uniquely interesting work happens every day, in every department—from optimizing a production line to the latest breakthroughs in cell therapy. This is work that transforms the lives of patients and the careers of those who do it.

You'll get the chance to grow and thrive through opportunities uncommon in scale and scope, alongside high‑achieving teams. Take your career farther than you thought possible.

Bristol Myers Squibb recognizes the importance of balance and flexibility in our work environment. We offer a wide variety of competitive benefits, services, and programs that provide our employees with the resources to pursue their goals, both at work and in their personal lives.
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Location: Princeton, NJ;
Cambridge, MA;
San Diego, CA

Position Summary: Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) is seeking an experienced patent agent to join our headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey, or one of our research centers in Cambridge, MA, or San Diego, CA. The patent practitioner will support clients across multiple functional areas to provide strategic advice to key stakeholders. Responsibilities will primarily include internal preparation and prosecution of patents. The patent agent will work closely with clients in various functions in a dynamic, growth‑oriented environment and will collaborate with other in‑house and outside attorneys to accomplish BMS objectives.

• Prepare and prosecute patent applications, including drafting, filing, and managing responses to office actions on a global level.
• Provide strategic advice on patentability issues.
• Manage patent portfolios, including conducting patent landscape analyses and developing patent strategies to protect BMS's innovations.
• Manage relationships with outside counsel to ensure high‑quality and cost‑effective legal services.
• Regularly engage with business and technical teams to provide patent‑related guidance and support.
• Stay updated on changes in patent requirements and regulations and ensure compliance with all relevant legal requirements.

• Registered to practice before the USPTO.
• 7–10 years of patent law experience in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in chemistry, biochemistry, or pharmaceutical sciences. An advanced degree and/or scientific research experience is preferred.
• Excellent analytical, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Service‑oriented focus with the ability to work as part of cross‑functional teams and drive results.
• Highest integrity, excellent judgment, and the ability to proactively recognize and effectively assess business risk and communicate legal issues to key stakeholders.

If you come across a role that intrigues you but doesn't perfectly line up with your resume, we encourage you to apply anyway. You could be one step away from work that will transform your life and career.

Princeton – NJ – US: $163,970 – $198,687

San Diego – CA – US: $180,360 – $218,556

The starting compensation range(s) for this role are listed above for a full‑time employee (FTE) basis. Additional incentive cash and stock opportunities (based on eligibility) may be available. The starting pay rate takes into account characteristics of the job, such as required skills, where the job is performed, the employee's work schedule, job‑related knowledge, and experience. Final, individual compensation will be decided based on demonstrated experience.

Eligibility for specific benefits listed on our careers site may vary based on the job and location. For more on benefits, please visit .

Benefit offerings are subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans then in effect and may include the following:
Medical, pharmacy, dental and vision care; wellbeing support such as the BMS Living Life Better program and employee assistance programs (EAP); financial well‑being resources and a 401(k); financial protection benefits such as short‑ and long‑term disability,…