European Patent Examiner in Mechanical and Automotive Engineering

European Patent Examiner in Mechanical and Automotive Engineering (22499)

Duration of contract: Five years, renewable (full‑time).

Location: Germany (Munich/Berlin) or the Netherlands (The Hague).

Application deadline: 19 April 2026.

About the role: At the European Patent Office (EPO), patent examiners assess whether inventions satisfy the patentability criteria and thereby support innovation that improves lives, drives industries, and shapes the future.

Your role and impact

• Examine patent applications, including technical documentation and drawings, in one of our official languages (English, French or German).
• Analyse new inventions to evaluate their novelty and inventive step.
• Conduct in‑depth research across scientific and technical fields to identify the most relevant prior art.
• Apply legal and procedural frameworks to make clear, high‑quality decisions on whether a patent should be granted.
• Communicate your findings clearly and constructively with applicants and other parties.
• Collaborate with international colleagues in a diverse and inclusive environment.
• Maintain high‑quality standards with strong attention to detail and scientific rigour.
• Contribute to Europe’s innovation ecosystem by ensuring fair and consistent application of the European Patent Convention (EPC) and related legal texts.

Expertise required

• Mechanical engineering: Combustion, heat exchange & storage, steam production and water turbines.
• Mechanical engineering: Mechanical and control aspects of air‑conditioning units and systems for cooling, heating, ventilation, humidification, dehumidification, filtration of air for habitable space (i.e. buildings).
• Mechanical engineering: Hand tools, including motor‑powered rotary tools, screw, staple and nailing tools, workshop equipment.
• Mechanical engineering: Foundations & water management.
• Mechanical engineering: Building elements, such as finishing & closure elements.
• Automotive engineering: Vehicle structures, steering mechanisms, controlling and manufacturing methods.

Your qualities

• Solid background and relevant expertise in the specified fields, built up during studies, projects, and/or professional experience.
• Enjoy deep technical analysis, reading technical drawings, and solving intellectual puzzles.
• Open to learning patent law, eager to acquire new skills, and to develop knowledge of technologies in different fields.
• Curious, detail‑oriented, open‑minded, and an analytical thinker.
• Value both independent work and team collaboration.
• Comfortable making structured, evidence‑based decisions.

No prior IP experience? No problem. We provide full legal and procedural training to get you started.

Minimum requirements

• Master’s level diploma in one or more of the technical fields mentioned above.
• Excellent knowledge (at least C1) of one of our official languages (English, French, or German) and the ability to understand the other two; alternatively, excellent knowledge (at least C1) of English, with willingness to learn the missing languages and reach level B2 within a set time frame.
• Work experience in industry is an advantage.
• Citizenship of one of the member states of the European Patent Organisation.

What we offer

• Competitive salary: €7 076 to €10 164 net/month (depending on location and experience).
• 30+ days of annual leave plus flexible working arrangements.
• Generous remote work policy: work from anywhere in the country of employment; up to 60 days from abroad (EPC states).
• Family‑friendly policies: childcare, education and relocation support.
• Pension and insurance: excellent social security coverage.
• Training and development: legal training, technical upskilling, and mobility opportunities.
• Inclusive culture: 35+ nationalities, supportive networks and a strong DEI commitment.
• Facilities: on‑site gym, health services, staff clubs and more (depending on location).
• Top locations: high quality of life and a thriving international community.

Process

The successful candidate will be selected on the basis of qualifications, competencies, professional experience and language knowledge, supplemented as appropriate by technical assessments, interviews and/or a personality questionnaire.

A talent pool (reserve list) will be constituted should more candidates than required be considered suitable following the selection procedure. Talent pools are valid for 24 months; candidates may be contacted should a vacancy with substantially the same profile arise during that period.

Key information

• Job group: 4
• Grade: G7 to G10 (net (basic) monthly salary for this vacancy: EUR 7 076 to 10 164, depending on experience and location)
• Career path: Technical
• Working mode: Hybrid
• Technical interviews estimated for: April – June 2026
• Final interviews planned for: May – June 2026

We welcome all applications for vacant positions. We consider each on its professional merits – regardless of your nationality, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, parental responsibilities, age, religion or belief.