Job Description:
Patent Administrator
Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World
Choosing where to start and grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the company that you choose to work at, and its leaders, will support and guide you. With a wide variety of people, global locations, technologies and products, 3M is a place where you can collaborate with other curious, creative 3Mers.
This position provides an opportunity to transition from other private, public, government or military experience to a 3M career.
The Impact You’ll Make in this Role
The Patent Administrator assists 3M to obtain and maintain Patent records across geographies. As a Patent Administrator, you will work closely with the Global Legal Service Center (GLSC) and Office of Intellectual Property team, globally. The Patent Administrator is an experienced Intellectual Property professional with substantive knowledge of Patents frameworks across different geographies. Here, you will make an impact by:
- Overseeing and managing a large, business group-wide docket in collaboration with Global Legal Service Center (GLSC) team members to ensure critical deadlines are met and patent rights are maintained worldwide.
- Collaborating with GLSC team members to gather information and instructions to assist patent attorney/agent with US/international patent application filing and prosecution, communicating requests and instructions to patent liaisons, foreign associates, or outside counsel.
- Independently obtaining data and composing detailed prosecution related correspondence of varying complexity requiring an advanced working knowledge of US and international government rules/guidelines, patent administrative practices, specialized patent terminology, and/or technical vocabulary.
- Analyzing incoming patent communications and determining required action and appropriate response.
- Supporting global patent team by coordinating multiple worldwide patent dockets, preparing reports, and independently responding to client inquiries.
- Identifying and solving problems or discrepancies by interpreting data, utilizing internal and external resource manuals and researching government rules/guidelines (MPEP, CFR, Kluwer Manual, Global Patent Office websites).
- Documenting solutions to difficult scenarios, proposing and implementing changes to existing documentation, publishing updates in Patent Practices Manual and presenting process change to peers at standing best practice meetings.
- Using public databases to chart information about non-3M patents and publications (family relationships, pendency, maintenance fees, assignment history, etc.) for negotiated IP agreements or litigation.
- Emphasizing cost-efficiency by maintaining proficient workflow, closely monitoring deadlines, effectively communicating with domestic and international colleagues and firms in a timely manner.
Your Skills and Expertise
To set you up for success in this role from day one, 3M requires (at a minimum) the following qualifications:
- High school diploma/GED or higher (completed and verified prior to start)
- Five (5) years of experience in IP administrative experience in a private, public, government or military environment
Additional qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include:
- IP Management System experience, preferably Anaqua.
- Familiarity with Patent Laws of different geographies.
- Strong analytical, communication, attention to details and project management skills.
- Ability to influence and collaborate with cross-functional teams and key stakeholders.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Ability to establish priorities, balance multiple tasks and deadlines at one time and effectively manage competing priorities.
- Certifications or additional qualifications in IP.
- Experience in working in teams.
- Experience in handling confidential information.
- Experience in multinational corporations or IP firms in a similar field of expertise.
Work location:
- This role follows an on-site working model, requiring the employee to work at least four days a week at the 3M Center in Maplewood, MN
Travel: None
Relocation Assistance: Is not authorized
Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).
Supporting Your Well-being
3M offers many programs to help you live your best life – both physically and financially. To ensure competitive pay and benefits, 3M regularly benchmarks with other companies that are comparable in size and scope.
Chat with Max
For assistance with searching through our current job openings or for more information about all things 3M, visit Max, our virtual recruiting assistant on 3M.com/careers.
Applicable to US Applicants Only:The expected compensation range for this position is $74,644 - $91,231, which includes base pay plus variable incentive pay, if eligible. This range represents a good faith estimate for this position. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant knowledge, training, skills, work location, and/or experience. In addition, this position may be eligible for a range of benefits (e.g., Medical, Dental & Vision, Health Savings Accounts, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Disability Benefits, Life Insurance, Voluntary Benefits, Paid Absences and Retirement Benefits, etc.). Additional information is available at: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/.
Good Faith Posting Date Range 09/16/2026 To 10/16/2026 Or until filled
All US-based 3M full time employees will need to sign an employee agreement as a condition of employment with 3M. This agreement lays out key terms on using 3M Confidential Information and Trade Secrets. It also has provisions discussing conflicts of interest and how inventions are assigned. Employees that are Job Grade 7 or equivalent and above may also have obligations to not compete against 3M or solicit its employees or customers, both during their employment, and for a period after they leave 3M.
Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @3M.
Responsibilities of this position include that corporate policies, procedures and security standards are complied with while performing assigned duties.
Safety is a core value at 3M. All employees are expected to contribute to a strong Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) culture by following safety policies, identifying hazards, and engaging in continuous improvement.
Pay & Benefits Overview: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/
3M does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Please note: your application may not be considered if you do not provide your education and work history, either by: 1) uploading a resume, or 2) entering the information into the application fields directly.
3M Global Terms of Use and Privacy Statement
Carefully read these Terms of Use before using this website. Your access to and use of this website and application for a job at 3M are conditioned on your acceptance and compliance with these terms.
Please click on the following links and select the country where you are applying for employment to review the applicable Terms of Use (link here) and Privacy Policy (link here). Before submitting your application, you will be asked to confirm your agreement with the terms.