Patent Examiners and Senior Patent Examiners

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Permanent Patent Examiner/Senior Patent Examiner (Science teams)
• Fixed Term Patent Examiner/Senior Patent Examiner (Science and Engineering teams)
• Located in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch 
• Prior examination experience required or equivalent IP experience
• 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 Examiner- $85537-$101911
Salary range for Senior- $101911-$121196

Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:

We are looking for people to join us as Patent Examiners/Senior Patent Examiners. We have permanent roles in our Science team and fixed term roles in our Science and Engineering teams.

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/Senior 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. 
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.

Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana -

Skills and Experience Required
 

• Permanent positions-a relevant degree or industry experience in biochemistry, biotechnology, chemistry, or related technical fields.  
• Fixed term positions-a relevant degree or industry experience in engineering, or related technical fields.  
• Demonstrated previous experience in patent examination and/or associated knowledge of relevant aspects of patent law
• 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 Senior Patent Examiner position should also have experience coaching and mentoring others
• 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 patent examiners role
Click here to view the position description of the senior patent examiners role

When you are ready to apply please send a CV and cover letter telling us why you're the perfect fit for this role.

All applications must be submitted via our online process.

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

We can't wait to hear from you!

Email Matt Guy at matt.guy@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/18404 if you have any further questions.

Applications close on the 31st of October 2025