Patent Specialist

About the position Our Marine organization is a trusted provider of innovative solutions for the worldwide boating and boat building industry, and we recently expanded our scope to lead the boating industry into an electrified future. Dometic has won numerous NMMA Innovation Awards over the years, and we are always striving for new ways to make boating easier, safer, and more enjoyable. We are on a journey of continuous growth
- now looking for our next star
- a passionate Patent Specialist. This position reports to the Director of Engineering and will work in Vancouver, BC. Vancouver: Dometic Marine’s headquarters are in Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada. The facility develops and manufactures hydraulic, electronic, and combustion-based products. As a Patent Specialist of the Vancouver Team, you will protect Dometic’s innovations by turning concepts into strong strategic IP. The role serves as the link between engineering and external counsel in identifying, evaluating, and prosecuting patentable ideas. General Responsibilities: Invention Disclosure Management:
- Extract and assess inventions from engineering teams and convert concepts into clear, actionable disclosures.
- Act as the primary bridge between engineering, external patent counsel, and Global IP team to clarify technical details and lead execution. Patentability Assessment:
- Conduct or coordinate prior art searches
- Evaluate novelty, commercial value, competitive space, and potential claim scope; provide filing recommendations.
- Standardize search methodology and prior art reporting to ensure consistency and quality. Prepare Filings:
- Prepare supporting documentation including technical explanations, drawings direction, and embodiments.
- Collaborate with external counsel on drafting and filing to maximize claim breadth and coverage quality.
- Ensure all filing deadlines are met through proactive coordination with Global IP team, inventors, engineering leaders, program managers, and counsel. FTO & Infringement Avoidance:
- Conduct or coordinate Freedom to Operate (FTO) searches and assess infringement risk during product development.
- Partner with Global IP department to classify risk levels; work with engineering to propose and validate design around options.
- Lead FTO clearance opinions and invalidation efforts when necessary.
- Monitor competitor patents and proactively identify emerging infringement risks. Portfolio Management:
- Manage granted patents for continuation decisions, abandonment strategy, or potential licensing opportunities. Process & Training:
- Support updates to product development process related to IP and integrate IP checkpoints into engineering workflows.
- Educate engineering teams through in person sessions and ongoing reinforcement of invention awareness. Technology Watch:
- Curate and share relevant technology trends, inventive concepts, and competitive signals with engineering teams. What do

we offer
? You are offered an interesting role in a dynamic, fast paced and global environment with great opportunities to grow, evolve with the company and take on new challenges.
- Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Disability insurance (STD/LTD)
- Retirement Programs (RSP and Company Pension Plan)
- Paid Vacation
- Statutory Holidays
- Free on-site parking
- Tuition and Professional Designation dues assistance
- Employee discounts on our incredible products
- Company events
- Opportunities to make an impact Skills & Requirements OR 2. Engineers Transitioning into IP: Engineers interested in developing specialized skills in intellectual property. Dometic will support this growth through structured skills development opportunities, including potential external training, as well as collaboration and mentorship from experienced IP practitioners.
- Undergraduate or graduate degree in Engineering or related technical field or equivalent IP experience Desirable experience:
- Experience with patents, invention disclosures, or prior-art research
- Engineering experience in product design or development
- Experience with freedom to operate analyses
- Experience with IP management systems / software (e.g.: Patricia or similar)
- Experience with searching IP databases or using search tools
- Patent Agent qualification or relevant IP coursework is an asset but not required
- US IP law qualification and 5+ years experience in clearance and prosecution work To be successful in this role, we believe that you possess the following skills, competencies & characteristics:
- Strong learning agility, quickly absorbing new technologies and concepts.
- Clear communication skills, capable of translating technical details and legal guidance between engineering teams, Global IP, and counsel.
- Influence and relationship building, earning trust across engineering, leadership, Global IP team, and external partners.
- Cur