Associate Patent Examiner and Patent Examiners (electrical/ICT and Mechanical)

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

·    Entry level permanent Associate Patent Examiner opportunity/Patent Examiner opportunity for those with examination experience
·    Located in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch
·    Flexible working options including remote working, flexible work hours or compressed working weeks
·    Award winning training program to help you develop a successful career with structured and transparent progression to senior level positions
·    A friendly and inclusive team environment, and a management team who are dedicated to your growth and success

Salary range for associate – $60,727- $70,625
Salary range for examiner – $85,537 - $101,911  

Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:

We are looking for people to join our Electrical/ICT and Mechanical teams as Associate Patent Examiners/Patent Examiners.

At the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) we grant patents and register designs and trade marks in New Zealand. Intellectual property (IP) protection allows people to control and be rewarded for their innovations and creative efforts. Innovation and creativity are important elements in gaining a competitive edge in the marketplace and for many business ventures intellectual property is one of their most important assets. Through the provision of our services, we aim to ensure people realise the full economic potential of their intellectual property.

The role of the patents team is to help people and businesses protect their inventions. Patents are granted to stop others from making, using, or selling a new invention.

As a Patent Examiner, you will consider cutting edge technologies and keep up with the state of the art. You’ll use your analytical skills, technical expertise and in-house acquired knowledge of intellectual property law to examine inventions. 

We will provide you with comprehensive training to start you in your new career.  You'll be trained in New Zealand and international patent law, patent examination practice and procedures, how to use specialised patent searching tools and databases. IPONZ will provide ongoing coaching and mentoring along with clear career progression pathways.

The patent applications you assess as part of the Electrical/ICT team will be varied and diverse, covering an expansive range of electrical, electronic, computing and telecommunications fields.

Patent examiners in the Mechanical team focus on goods manufactured by industry or the methods used for the manufacture of those goods. The patent applications examined are varied and diverse, for example, relating to transportation, medical equipment, building construction, milking machines, food processing, optics.

Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana - Skills and Experience Required

·    A relevant qualification or industry experience in electrical, information or software engineering, telecommunications, computing systems, mechanical engineering, physics, or mechatronics. We are also interested in cross-discipline knowledge (e.g. additional engineering, science, materials).
·    Ability to search specialist databases, and assess the relevance of large volumes of complex information
·    Noted experience in a role making effective decisions based on complex information and risk
·    Demonstrated strong communication skills with the ability to communicate complex ideas in written and verbal form, technical or business writing skills
·    The ability to prioritise and manage work to meet tight deadlines
·    A focused, conscientious and adaptable team approach
·    The desire to learn about intellectual property law

Applicants for the Examiner position should possess the above and in addition:
·    Demonstrated previous experience in patent examination and associated knowledge of relevant aspects of patent law

Additional requirements:
·    All candidates must have the right to live and work in New Zealand

Ētahi kōrero mō MBIE - About MBIE:

MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders.

We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable.

People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours.

• Mahi Tahi – Better Together
• Māia – Bold and brave
• Pae Kahurangi – Build our Future
• Pono Me Te Tika – Own It

Our aspirations are echoed in our Māori identity – Hīkina Whakatutuki – which broadly means ‘lifting to make successful'.

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti o Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Māori, other Māori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Māori and for wider Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to continuing to partner with iwi in order to find new sustainable solutions to address long standing systemic and cross-cutting issues facing Māori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand and we are also committed to identifying opportunities for iwi to lead and creating an enabling environment for iwi to leverage these opportunities.

E mōhio ana a Hīkina Whakatutuki i puea ake te kōtuinga I waenganui i a ngāi Māori me te Karauna i Te Tiriti o Waitangi, ā, kei te whai ia ki te whakaū ake i Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Mā te whai kiko o ngā kōtuinga ahungaroa o ngāi wi, o ngāi Māori, me ētahi atu rōpū Māori ki te Karauna, katutuki tēnei. He āhuatanga nui tēnei e āhei ai ngā mahi whanaketanga ā-ohanga, ā-pāpori hoki ki a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui. E whai tonu ana mātou ki te kōtui atu ki ngā iwi mō te rapu huarahi hou ki te whakaara i ngā kaupapakua roa nei e tāmi ana i a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui, ā, e whai ana hoki ki te tautohu i ngā āheinga kōkiritanga mā ngā iwi, me te tautoko i ngā iwi kia whai mana ake ai ēnei āheinga.

Me pēhea te tono - How to Apply:

Click here to view the position description for the Associates role
Click here to view the position description for the Examiners role

 All applications must be submitted via our online process and include a Cover Letter and CV outlining your interest and suitability for the role. 

Email Matt Guy at xx.xx@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/16423 if you have any further questions.

Please ensure you advise us which role you wish to be considered for either Associate or Examiner.

Please note candidates for this role may need to complete formal testing as part of this recruitment process.

If you have questions about this role over the advertising period they will be responded to in the week of the 6th of January 2025

Applications close at 5pm on ­­­13th of January 2025