Subject Matter Expert (SME) – Patent Examination & Training Modernization

Location: Alexandria, VA (USPTO Headquarters)
Work Modality: Hybrid On-site
Security Clearance: Ability to obtain a Public Trust Clearance
 

About Team Carney

Carney delivers high-reliability educational services, professional training, and academic administration for elite federal agencies and military training academies. We specialize in instructional systems design (ISD), curriculum modernization, and interactive eLearning development to ensure federal workforces gain mission-critical operational capabilities.
 

Position Overview

Carney is seeking an experienced, high-caliber Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Patent Examination and Training Modernization to support the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Patent Training Academy (PTA). The SME will provide senior-level technical oversight, curriculum advisory, and pedagogical leadership to modernize the Academy’s training infrastructure. This initiative supports approximately 900 new patent examiners annually.

The SME will spearhead the strategic evaluation and structural revision of up to 125 existing training courses and lead the conversion of at least 25 courses into fully asynchronous eLearning modules hosted on the agency’s enterprise Cornerstone on Demand Learning Management System (LMS). Acting as a critical link between instructional design teams and USPTO senior leadership, the SME ensures that all training assets reflect accurate patent examination policies, statutory guidelines, and federal accessibility baselines.
 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Curriculum Modernization Leadership: Direct the strategic evaluation, structural redesign, and curriculum mapping of up to 125 complex patent training courses to align with modern adult learning principles and patent examination standards.

• eLearning Conversion Advisory: Provide deep technical and educational oversight for the conversion of at least 25 courses into high-quality, asynchronous eLearning modules.

• LMS Integration Support: Oversee technical compatibility and compliance of all newly developed SCORM-compliant courseware for integration into the USPTO enterprise Cornerstone on Demand LMS.

• Federal Quality & Compliance Assurance: Ensure all modern curriculum deliverables strictly adhere to USPTO-defined style guides, adult learning standards, and federal Section 508 accessibility regulations.

• Stakeholder Coordination: Act as the primary technical liaison between Team Carney’s instructional design personnel and USPTO/PTA leadership to align training developments with evolving patent law, statutory guidance, and procedural updates.

• Throughput Tracking & Metrics reporting: Develop comprehensive quality metrics, review workflows, and milestone tracking spreadsheets to ensure delivery schedules align with the continuous on-boarding of 900 new examiners annually.

Required Minimum Qualifications 

• U.S. Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen (federal client requirement).

• Educational Background: Minimum of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics), Education, or a related field.

• Experience:

  • Minimum of eight (8) years of progressive experience in patent law, patent examination, or direct support of federal patent training programs.

  • Demonstrated experience leading large-scale federal curriculum revision or instructional design projects (exceeding 50+ modules/courses).

• Technical & LMS Proficiencies: Proven familiarity with SCORM standards, instructional design software, and enterprise Learning Management Systems (specifically Cornerstone on Demand).

• Federal Standard Compliance: Direct experience developing or evaluating educational materials compliant with Section 508 accessibility guidelines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience as a USPTO Patent Examiner or PTA Instructor/Instructional Designer.

• Advanced degree (Master’s, PhD, or JD) with a focus on Intellectual Property Law, Adult Education, or Instructional Technology.

• Hands-on experience executing training pipelines for cohorts exceeding 500+ professionals annually.