As digital transformation reshapes daily work, organisations need dependable technology partners. BIT offers a structure with defined responsibilities to support the efficiency and effectiveness of IT activities and provide consistent business services while fostering a workplace where staff contributions are acknowledged and valued. At the European Patent Office (EPO), we are undergoing a major transformation to build a DevOps practice, embed agile principles, adopt green technologies and use artificial intelligence. Our mission is to support innovation, competitiveness and economic growth across Europe. We take innovation seriously and are fully committed to our digital transformation.
The EPO's Strategic Plan 2028 reinforces our commitment to sustainability by engaging and empowering our workforce through modern HR practices. The strategy focuses on attracting and developing talent, supporting mobility and flexibility, providing engaging workspaces and ensuring the EPO remains a leading institution in the intellectual property field.
The IT Co?'operation directorate facilitates seamless technical collaboration among national patent offices (NPOs), ensuring high?'quality services, efficient processes and a harmonised patent ecosystem for users of the European patent system. The IT Co?'operation Implementation Support team is a multidisciplinary group working with national offices and IP organisations to develop, implement and maintain modern IT tools. Throughout the project life cycle, the team co?'ordinates with stakeholders to co?'create, deliver, support and enhance solutions. Our mission is to streamline and simplify all patent?'related processes by managing strong IT co?'operation initiatives that enhance interoperability between the EPO and its partner offices. This includes a comprehensive programme to modernise and digitise partner office operations, support tools from application submission to grant and publication, oversee the global roll?'out of an advanced search tool and promote the use of AI.
We are now looking for highly motivated, experienced experts who can work independently and bring state?'of?'the?'art knowledge to the IT Co?'operation directorate.
With us you will:
- contribute as part of a multidisciplinary team delivering IT co?'operation initiatives aligned with the European Patent Organisation's strategic objectives
- lead the preparation and implementation of IT co?'operation solutions at NPOs, covering the full life cycle, from technical assessment to operational deployment
- analyse, adapt and technically configure solutions to meet local operational, legal and infrastructural requirements, ensuring production readiness and fitness for purpose
- act as technical implementation lead, co?'ordinating installation, configuration, integration, testing and go?'live activities in close co?'operation with NPOs and internal IT colleagues
- provide technical expertise throughout the solution life cycle, including troubleshooting, performance optimisation, documentation and operational handover, to ensure stable and maintainable systems
- co?'ordinate local implementations and technical activities with all stakeholders, working closely with business analysts, solution architects, developers, DevOps teams, project managers, external contractors and partner offices
- initiate, manage and close complex or high-risk projects, ensuring appropriate governance and delivery while maintaining control over scope, timelines, budget, resources, risks and quality
Apply if you have:
- proven experience in IT project delivery, combining hands?'on implementation responsibilities with structured project management practices
- a solid understanding of intellectual property processes and related procedures or demonstrated ability to quickly acquire domain knowledge in a regulated, international environment
- experience deploying and supporting IT solutions in production, ideally across multiple national or international organisations with heterogeneous IT landscapes
- practical experience with agile and/or hybrid delivery approaches (e.g. Scrum, iterative delivery, incremental roll?'outs) in complex stakeholder environments
- technical understanding of modern IT architectures, including cloud?'based solutions, integration concepts and operational considerations
- a results?'driven and solution?'oriented mindset, with the ability to adapt priorities and approaches in a fast?'evolving, delivery?'focused environment
- strong stakeholder management skills, demonstrating tact, diplomacy and cultural awareness when working with national offices, internal teams and external partners
Our minimum requirements for this post
- Diploma of completed studies at master's level or - in exceptional cases - equivalent professional experience
- Generally, an excellent knowledge (at least C1) of one official language (English, French and German) and ability to understand the other two; alternatively, excellent knowledge (at least C1) of at least one official language (in such cases, the willingness to learn the missing language(s) and to reach level B2 within a set time frame would be required)
- Citizenship of one of the member states of the European Patent Organisation
Process
Candidates are kindly asked to upload an updated CV and outline their motivation in the designated application field (character limit 4000). If so wished, the motivation letter can also be uploaded as a Word or pdf attachment under "Application document" in SuccessFactors. In this case, please indicate in the designated field "Please refer to attached motivation letter".
The successful candidate will be selected on the basis of qualifications, competencies, professional experience and language knowledge, supplemented as appropriate by interviews, tests and/or a personality questionnaire.
A reserve list may be constituted, should more candidates than required at this time be considered suitable following the selection procedure. Such reserve lists are valid for 18 months and reserve list candidates may be contacted, should a vacancy with substantially the same profile arise during that period.
More information on how we recruit can be found on our EPO jobs and careers site .
Key information Job group: 4
Grade: G7 to G10 (net (basic) monthly salary* for this vacancy: EUR 6 375 to 10 164, depending on experience and location)
Duration of appointment: Five years, with the possibility of extension
Career path: Technical
Location: Office-wide
Application deadline: 15 April 2026
Interviews planned for: 4-8 May 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.
Why join us?- Be part of the EPO`s transformation and enable innovation
- Work with inspiring people from a variety of cultures
- Develop yourself and take on an intellectual challenge
- A competitive salary
- Family-friendly benefits
- A good work-life balance
- Generous flexibility options
- Relocation benefits and various allowances
- Contributory medical insurance and pension schemes
- 30 days' leave per year
- Free gym access
- Social activities and clubs
We are the patent office for Europe. We are proud to deliver high-quality patents and efficient services that foster innovation, competitiveness and economic growth.
Our visionWe will empower and motivate our staff to set worldwide standards in intellectual property. Our Office will be effective and transparent, respond to the needs of our users and be agile in managing the changing demands and conditions of a dynamic global patent system. Our work will contribute to a safer, smarter and more sustainable world.
Our valuesAll our relationships within our Office and with partners around the world will prosper through trust, fairness, mutual respect, adaptability, collaboration and a commitment to excellence.
Our work environmentWe believe that diversity is fundamental to our success. Our inclusive work environment respects, values and celebrates our individual differences. We want you to be yourself at work.Join us on this exciting journey to a more digital, collaborative and sustainable organisation.
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