Patent Specialist

Dometic is a global market leader in the mobile living industry. Millions of people around the world use Dometic products in outdoor, residential, and professional applications. 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.
About the position Patent Specialist
reporting to the Director of Engineering and based in Vancouver. The role protects Dometic’s innovations by turning concepts into strong strategic IP, serving as the link between engineering and external counsel in identifying, evaluating, and prosecuting patentable ideas.
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 the 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, drawing directions, 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 the Global IP team, inventors, engineering leaders, program managers, and counsel.
Freedom to Operate & Infringement Avoidance
Conduct or coordinate FTO searches and assess infringement risk during product development.
Partner with Global IP to classify risk levels and 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
Maintain and update the database of all Dometic Marine patents and applications.
Manage granted patents for continuation decisions, abandonment strategy, or potential licensing opportunities.
Manage costs related to applications, searches, maintenance, clearance activities, annuities, and litigation.
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?
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
Paid maternity/paternity leave
Tuition and Professional Designation fee assistance
Employee discounts on our products
Company events
Opportunities to make an impact
Ideal candidates IP Practitioners : Individuals with a formal or informal background in intellectual property who are eager to apply their expertise to Dometic’s products and technologies. OR
Engineers transitioning into IP : Engineers interested in developing specialized IP skills. Dometic will support this growth through structured skills development opportunities, including potential external training and mentorship from experienced IP practitioners.
Required qualifications
Undergraduate or graduate degree in Engineering or a related technical field, or equivalent IP experience.
Experience with patents, invention disclosures, or prior‑art research.
Experience with freedom‑to‑operate analyses.
Experience with IP management systems or software (e.G., Patricia).
Experience with searching IP databases or using search tools.
US IP law qualification and 5+ years experience in clearance and prosecution work (desired).
Patent Agent qualification or relevant IP coursework is an asset.
Required skills, competencies & characteristics
Passion for product development, understanding engi