Patent manager

Patent Engineer/Manager- Join Wärtsilä’s IPR Services Team

We are always on the lookout for a talent with a growth mindset – are you the one?  

Patent Manager – Join Wärtsilä's IPR Services Team

Are you an experienced patent professional who enjoys getting to the core of new technology, working closely with engineers and turning inventions into business-relevant patent protection? Then this role may be for you.

This role combines technology, innovation, legal aspects and business. You will work with engineers, R&D teams, business stakeholders and external patent attorneys to identify, shape and protect inventions that support Wärtsilä's strategy. A key focus is strengthening patenting activities related to 4-stroke engine technologies.

You will often work in new technical areas, so you need to learn quickly, ask focused questions and build understanding together with experts.

The preferred location is Vaasa, Finland. We will also consider candidates based elsewhere who can visit Vaasa regularly.

What you will do

• Work with engineers and R&D teams on new developments and inventions
• Lead invention harvesting and disclosure discussions
• Analyse prior art and assess patentability
• Manage drafting and prosecution together with external patent attorneys
• Review and interpret patent claims and technical descriptions
• Support freedom-to-operate assessments
• Prepare clear invention and patent summaries for decision-making

What we are looking for

• At least 3 years of hands-on experience in patent work, in-house or in a patent attorney firm
• European Patent Attorney (EPA) qualification is an advantage
• A degree in engineering or another relevant technical field
• Ability to read and analyse technical documents, drawings and system descriptions
• A structured and careful way of working
• Ability to work with engineers, experts and business stakeholders
• Fluent English; other languages are an advantage

What we offer You will join an experienced IPR Services team in a global technology company. Several team members hold European patent qualifications.

As a Patent Manager, you will gain end-to-end ownership of inventions, from inventor discussions to in-house portfolio management, with a direct line of sight to business impact. You will be part of a team with a broad IPR scope: patents, trademarks and brand protection, business secret protection, third-party IPR risk management, licensing and IP agreements, and enforcement and dispute support.

Our work is strategy-driven. We protect inventions that strengthen Wärtsilä's competitive position, and we align patenting with business and technology priorities. We work in close collaboration with R&D, from early technical discussions and invention harvesting to sharing patent insight that supports development work. You will work with meaningful technologies and business-relevant innovation topics, with room to shape how patents support Wärtsilä's business and technology strategy.

We work in a modern way. AI tools are part of our daily patent work, from prior-art analysis to sharing patent knowledge with R&D. This lets us spend less time on routine tasks and more on expert judgement and business-relevant decisions. This role offers the opportunity to grow beyond traditional patent work and gain exposure to the full spectrum of intellectual property and technology-related business topics.

Why you and us?   

You are valued – as your true self. At Wärtsilä YOU matter. We value diversity and are committed in supporting inclusive work community.   

Your growth is supported. We believe in continuous learning & teamwork. Wärtsilian community has your back when it comes to development opportunities – so you can develop beyond your potential.  

You get to make a difference. Innovation and sustainability are important for us. Every day, we - Wärtsilians - put our hearts and minds into enabling sustainable societies through innovation in technology and services into reality.   

Contact & next steps  
  

Please submit your application before the application deadline 16th of October 2026 through our Careers portal. Applications through email will not be considered. After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation email.

In case of any questions regarding the position, reach out to:

Mikael Mäkelä

Director IPR
mikael.makela1@wartsila.com
+358 40 145 7489

Last application date: 16/10/2026 

At Wärtsilä we value, respect and embrace all our differences, and are committed to diversity, inclusion and equal employment opportunities; everyone can be their true self and succeed based on their job-relevant merits and abilities. 

Please note that according to Wärtsilä policy, voluntary consent for a security check may be required from candidates being considered for this position, depending on the applicable country.

This is Wärtsilä 

Wärtsilä is a global leader in innovative technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. Our team of 18,300 professionals, in more than 230 locations in 77 countries, shape the decarbonisation transformation of our industries across the globe. Read more on www.wartsila.com.