Principal Technical Trainer

ASRC Federal is seeking a Trainer II to support the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Patent Training Academy (PTA) and Technology Centers (TCs). The Trainer II will provide formal and informal training to newly hired patent examiners and support advanced patent examination activities when not conducting training.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive USPTO experience and serve as a senior subject‑matter expert in patent examination, patent prosecution, and USPTO processes and systems. This position requires elevated independent judgment, advanced technical expertise, and full decision‑making authority consistent with USPTO standards. Individuals must have previously worked for the USPTO and departed in good standing with Full Signatory Authority.

Work location: 100% On-Site - USPTO Headquarters in Alexandria, VA

Responsibilities

Deliver high‑level USPTO‑standard training to newly hired patent examiners through classroom, lecture, and Microsoft Teams environments.Provide formal and informal instruction in support of the Patent Training Academy and Technology Centers.Attend all required USPTO training and maintain strict proficiency in current examination policies, procedures, tools, and systems.Participate in ongoing trainer evaluations, observations, and quality assessments.Support patent examination activities when not serving as an instructor, including:

Conducting prior art searches.Performing statutory reviews.Preparing draft Office Actions and other examination work products for Government review.

Apply extensive subject-matter expertise to support patent examination and training activities.Maintain flexibility to support assignments across the Patent Training Academy and Technology Centers as needed.Exercise independent judgment and decision-making authority consistent with USPTO examination standards and procedures.

Basic Qualifications

Must have previously worked for the USPTO and departed in good standing with Full Signatory Authority.Must have served as a Primary Patent Examiner, Supervisory Patent Examiner (SPE), or Quality Assurance Specialist within the past five years.Demonstrated independent legal and decision-making authority to approve or reject patent applications without requiring a secondary signature.Advanced expertise in intellectual property, patent examination, and patent prosecution processes.Knowledge and experience equivalent to a Primary Patent Examiner with full signatory authority.Strong knowledge of USPTO examination processes, procedures, patent examination tools, search tools, and case management systems.Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively explain complex technical and legal concepts to new patent examiners.