Description

The Department of the Navy (DON) Office of the General Counsel (OGC) invites qualified attorneys to apply for the position of Intellectual Property (IP) Attorney, at Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Division Newport (NUWC Newport). The position is located at/in Newport, Rhode Island. Multiple vacancies may be filled under this announcement.

NUWC Newport is one of ten divisions of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Warfare Centers and one of two Naval Undersea Warfare Center divisions. NUWC Newport is the Navy's full-spectrum research, development, test and evaluation, engineering, and fleet support center for submarine warfare systems and many other systems associated with the undersea battlespace. Additional information about NUWC Newport can be found at http://www.navsea.navy.mil/Home/Warfare-Centers/NUWC-Newport/.

The successful candidate will be expected to provide the full range of IP legal services in the areas of patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, and data rights. This includes drafting and prosecuting patent applications before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, negotiating copyright agreements and software licenses, negotiating non-disclosure and assignment agreements, reviewing technical data and computer software data rights issues in contracts, providing IP litigation support, assisting with patent and copyright administrative claims, and serving as an advisor on technology transfer matters, including patent licensing, Work-with-Private-Party agreements, and Cooperative Research and Development.

Requirements

POSITION OVERVIEW

• This position will be filled at the General Schedule (GS) GS-14 and GS-15 level or equivalent pay band.  (NT-V or VI)
• A relocation incentive may be available but is not guaranteed.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS) funding may be available to eligible applicants but is not guaranteed.
• This Personnel Notice will close on February 10, 2026 at 11:59:59 PM Eastern Time. Complete application packages must be received by this closing date and time to be considered.

QUALIFICATIONS

At the time of application, you must:

• Have a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
• Be admitted to, eligible to practice in, and an active member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia.
• Have a Bachelor's degree in physical or chemical sciences or in engineering.
• Be registered to practice and to prosecute patent applications before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. 
• Be a U.S. citizen able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.

GS-14 Qualifications

• At least three-and-one-half years of recent and relevant professional legal experience commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

GS-15 Qualifications

• At least five-and-one-half years of recent and relevant professional legal experience commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

You will be evaluated on:

1. The depth, breadth, and quality of your experience in Intellectual Property law;
2. Your research, analytical, and communication skills (both oral and written);
3. Your interpersonal skills, including your ability to establish effective attorney-client and professional relationships; and
4. Your experience advising clients.

APPLICATION PACKAGE

You must submit:

1. A cover letter that explains why you are interested in and qualified for the position.
• If applicable, you must include any requests for a relocation incentive or PCS funding in your cover letter.
2. A current resume, no more than two (2) pages in length, that shows relevant experience, including:
• Job titles (with GS level(s), if applicable);
• Dates of employment (month/year); and
• Bar membership, stating jurisdiction(s).
3. Two brief legal writing samples (no more than ten (10) years old and no more than ten (10) pages each) that demonstrate analytical and advocacy abilities (excerpts of lengthier written work products are acceptable).
4. Your two most recent performance evaluations (if unavailable, please explain).
5. The names, email addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three references, including a supervisor, who may be contacted.
6. Current and former Federal employees must also provide a copy of their most recent Standard Form-50 (SF-50) showing title, series, grade, and current salary information (if unavailable, please explain). Do not submit SF-50s for performance awards.
7. If you are not currently a member of DON OGC, you must also submit a copy of your law school transcript(s) for all legal degrees held, showing award of the degree, final GPA, and final class rank where available. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted, but official transcripts will be required before the applicant is selected.

Social security numbers and dates of birth should be redacted from all documentation submitted.

Send your application package electronically to usn.ncr.sea-00.mbx.navsea-ogc-vacancies@us.navy.mil. Include your surname and this Personnel Notice Number in the subject line of your transmittal e-mail and in the file names of any attachments. Hard copy applications will not be considered.