Staff Mechanical Engineer

Company Description

It started with a simple idea: what if surgery could be less invasive and recovery less painful? Nearly 30 years later, that question still fuels everything we do at Intuitive. As a global leader in robotic-assisted surgery and minimally invasive care, our technologies—like the da Vinci surgical system and Ion—have transformed how care is delivered for millions of patients worldwide.

We’re a team of engineers, clinicians, and innovators united by one purpose: to make surgery smarter, safer, and more human. Every day, our work helps care teams perform with greater precision and patients recover faster, improving outcomes around the world.

The problems we solve demand creativity, rigor, and collaboration. The work is challenging, but deeply meaningful—because every improvement we make has the potential to change a life.

If you’re ready to contribute to something bigger than yourself and help transform the future of healthcare, you’ll find your purpose here.

Job Description

Primary Function of Position:

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. produces the da Vinci® Surgical System, a minimally invasive robotic surgery system that uses complex mechanics, replaceable instruments and accessories, and enhanced three-dimensional visualization to extend surgical technique and precision beyond the limits of the human hand.

This is a unique role that requires multiple areas of engineering including design, analysis, assembly, test, and failure analysis.  The R&D Engineer will support development of new endoscope designs throughout the qualification phase.  This is an opportunity to use design, prototyping, test, analysis, and data mining skills in new product as well as product in the field.  The successful candidate will have both the technical depth to resolve complex design and manufacturing issues as well as the ability to work in an interdisciplinary team to troubleshoot higher level system issues.  A strong sense of shared responsibility and shared reward is required as well as a commitment to high product quality.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Work in cross-functional R&D teams to design, prototype, test, and manufacture new endoscope designs as well as improvements to existing designs
• Work with Product Marketing and Clinical Engineers to develop requirements for future endoscopes. 
• Lead development of new cameras and endoscopes
• Investigate and determine root causes of both latent and emerging designs
• Work with Failure Analysis teams to determine failures in the field
• Work with Supplier Engineering regarding supplier and material continuity
• Work with Manufacturing teams regarding building new product
• Mentor less experienced team members

Qualifications

Skill/Job Requirements:

• B.S. in mechanical, electrical, biomedical engineering, or related field with 8+ years of experience; M.S. or above preferred.
• Experience in the medical industry is a strong plus
• Experience with opto-mechanical and electro-mechanical devices is a strong plus
• Comfortable with all phases of the product development lifecycle including design, implementation, debug, verification, qualification, and transfer to Manufacturing
• Hands-on engineer with the proven ability to work well in a team environment
• Comfortable with setting up experiments, selecting, and using measurement and test equipment
• Strong understanding of component selection criteria, and design for reliability and manufacturability
• Proficient in process development and documentation
• Ability to travel up to 5% time (when safe to travel)
• Proven experience in a fast paced, high transaction environment
• Good presentation skills and comfortable with hosting design reviews
• A real excitement to learn and get to the bottom of tough technical problems
• A passion for creating robust and reliable products

Additional Information

Due to the nature of our business and the role, please note that Intuitive and/or your customer(s) may require that you show current proof of vaccination against certain diseases including COVID-19.  Details can vary by role.

Intuitive is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, genetic information or any other status protected under federal, state, or local applicable laws.

Mandatory Notices

U.S. Export Controls Disclaimer:  In accordance with the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR §743.13(b)), some roles at Intuitive Surgical may be subject to U.S. export controls for prospective employees
who are nationals from countries currently on embargo or sanctions status.

Certain information you provide as part of the application will be used for purposes of determining whether Intuitive Surgical will need to (i) obtain an export license from the U.S. Government on your behalf (note: the government’s licensing process can take 3 to 6+ months) or (ii) implement a Technology Control Plan (“TCP”) (note: typically adds 2 weeks to the hiring process).  

For any Intuitive role subject to export controls, final offers are contingent upon obtaining an approved export license and/or an executed TCP prior to the prospective employee’s
start date, which may or may not be flexible, and within a timeframe that does not unreasonably impede the hiring need. If applicable, candidates will be notified and instructed on any requirements for these purposes. 

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws.

Preference will be given to qualified candidates who do not reside, or plan to reside, in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, or Tennessee.

This position may be filled at a different job level than listed here depending on
business need and/or on the selected candidate’s experience, knowledge and skills.
Compensation will be based primarily on the job level at which the role is filled and the
candidate’s qualifications, consistent with applicable law.

We provide market-competitive compensation packages, inclusive of base pay, incentives, benefits, and equity. It would not be typical for someone to be hired at the top end of range for the role, as actual pay will be determined based on several factors, including experience, skills, and qualifications. The target compensation ranges are listed.