Senior Intellectual Property Specialist - San Francisco

Plaud is building the real-world AI interface for professionals to amplify intelligence, elevate productivity and performance, loved by over 2,000,000 users worldwide since 2023. With a mission to amplify human intelligence, Plaud captures, structures, and compounds the intelligence generated in conversations — so humans can think better, decide faster, and execute with clarity. Plaud Inc. is a Delaware-incorporated, San Francisco-based company pushing the boundary of human–AI intelligence through a hardware–software combination. With full ISO 27001, ISO 27701, SOC 2, GDPR, EN18031, and HIPAA compliances, Plaud is committed to the highest standards of data security and privacy protection.

Responsibilities

Own the full patent lifecycle for software, algorithm, and AI-related inventions, from running invention disclosure sessions with R&D engineers, to drafting specifications and claims (including flowchart-based claim structures for algorithm and model innovations), through prosecution and office action responses in the US, EU, and China; Develop and execute multi-layered patent portfolio strategies around each core technology, building out clusters of related and dependent claims to create both defensive and offensive protection, and benchmarking coverage against leading patent portfolios in the telecom and AI space; Assess each invention disclosure to recommend the right protection strategy (patent filing versus trade secret) advising R&D and legal leadership on which innovations are better served by public disclosure versus confidentiality controls; Prepare prior art searches, freedom-to-operate analyses, and competitive landscape reports to support product launches and R&D strategy across US, European, and Chinese markets; Coordinate with outside counsel and global patent agencies; review and quality-check outgoing filing instructions and incoming office action strategies to make sure claim scope holds up through prosecution

Requirements

Licensed Patent Agent with 4+ years of professional experience with at least 2 years of hands-on drafting and prosecution experience at a patent law firm; Proven ability to draft software and algorithm patents using flowchart-based and functional claim language; Hands-on experience with prior art searches, patentability assessments, and freedom-to-operate analysis using professional databases such as Derwent, Espacenet, CNIPA, or USPTO PAIR; Working knowledge of prosecution procedures in at least two of the three major jurisdictions (USPTO, EPO, and CNIP) including office action response strategy and claim amendment practice; Fluent in both English and Mandarin is required for this role; Familiarity with docketing or IP management systems; Strong technical fluency; Comfortable working with ambiguity

Nice to have

Prior experience as a patent examiner in a communications, software, or AI-related art unit (USPTO Art Units 2100/2400 or CNIPA equivalent); Familiarity with AI/ML patent eligibility issues (the Alice/Mayo framework in the US, CII guidelines in Europe) and experience crafting claims that navigate software patent eligibility challenges; Experience with trade secret program design or IP classification frameworks (advising engineering teams on what to protect through patents versus confidentiality)

Benefits

Opportunity to join the founding team of this new initiative, with meaningful ownership and impact on a fast-growing startup; Competitive Compensation: $135K-$200K base salary+performance bonus+Equity; Comprehensive Benefits: Top-tier healthcare for employees and dependents, including dental and vision, and a generous employer subsidy; Retirement Planning: 401(k) plan for full time employees with company matching; Paid Time Off: Unlimited PTO, plus 13 paid holidays; New Parent Leave: 12 weeks of paid time off to spend time with your new family, regardless of gender; Hybrid Office: Minimum of 3x in office per week; Gear: New hires are equipped with their choice of new top-of-the-line laptops and workstation setups; Perks: Best office equipment. Annual offsites. Free office drinks and snacks. Commuter Benefits