Senior Supplier Engineer

Company Description

At Intuitive, we are united behind our mission: we believe that minimally invasive care is life-enhancing care. Through ingenuity and intelligent technology, we expand the potential of physicians to heal without constraints.

As a pioneer and market leader in robotic-assisted surgery, we strive to foster an inclusive and diverse team, committed to making a difference. For more than 25 years, we have worked with hospitals and care teams around the world to help solve some of healthcare's hardest challenges and advance what is possible.

Intuitive has been built by the efforts of great people from diverse backgrounds. We believe great ideas can come from anywhere. We strive to foster an inclusive culture built around diversity of thought and mutual respect. We lead with inclusion and empower our team members to do their best work as their most authentic selves.

Passionate people who want to make a difference drive our culture. Our team members are grounded in integrity, have a strong capacity to learn, the energy to get things done, and bring diverse, real world experiences to help us think in new ways. We actively invest in our team members to support their long-term growth so they can continue to advance our mission and achieve their highest potential.

Job Description

Position Summary
We are seeking a Senior Supplier Engineer to lead supplier qualifications, manufacturing process development, and supplier performance for critical production components. This role is responsible for ensuring suppliers meet expectations for quality, delivery, cost, and compliance while building robust manufacturing processes that support business growth and operational continuity.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead supplier qualification activities for new and existing components.
  • Lead cross-functional teams in defining scalable manufacturing methods for metal components at suppliers.
  • Develop supplier manufacturing methods, testing, and inspection methods prior to part qualification.
• Provide manufacturing and supplier quality support.
  • ​​​​​​​Assess and prioritize component issues.
  • Own the disposition of nonconforming material and address systemic or significant nonconformances through formal corrective action.
  • Drive corrective actions using structured root cause methods such as 8D and 5 Why to implement effective, lasting corrective and preventive actions.
• Lead manufacturing process selection and optimization.
  • ​​​​​​​Select the optimal manufacturing process for each part, balancing quality, long-term capacity, and total lifecycle cost.
  • Apply DFM principles where appropriate to improve quality, reduce cost, and strengthen supply continuity.
  • Guide internal stakeholders and suppliers on supplier quality, process capability, operational readiness, and best-value manufacturing and tooling strategies.

Qualifications

Qualifications
Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in manufacturing, supplier process engineering, design, or a related field.
• Ability to influence suppliers and lead cross-functional teams in resolving complex technical and process issues.
• Working knowledge of pFMEA, process validation, inspection methods, and test techniques.
• Experience using Word and Excel, as well as PLM (preferably Agile) and ERP systems (preferably SAP).

Education and Technical Skills

• BS degree in an engineering field or equivalent experience
• Ability to read and modify engineering drawings.
• Solid understanding of ASME Y14.5 GD&T
• Ability to work in compliance with GMP requirements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English. Proficiency in additional local languages is an advantage.
   

Travel Requirements

• Ability to travel to suppliers on an as-needed basis, domestically and internationally, 10% to 25%.

Work location

• The role will begin as a work‑from‑home position near Penang, Malaysia, with the possibility of transitioning to a temporary office space once available.  If moved to a temporary office, the position will be onsite.

• Ultimately, the role will transition to an onsite position at Intuitive’s Penang manufacturing site.

Additional Information

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a medical device company
• Experience with low-volume high-mix production environments
• Familiarity with 21 CFR Part 820 and ISO 13485
  • Experience in auditing suppliers to these standards is preferred.
  • At a minimum, candidates should understand Quality Management System (QMS) requirements.
• Experience across a broad range of manufacturing processes, wit understanding of the key variables that influence quality, cost, and capacity.
• Desired product experience in at least two of the following categories:
  • Laser Metal Sintering or 3D printing.
  • MIM.
  • Micro-forging.
  • Metallurgy and Material Science.
  • Machining, including multi-spindle and 4- and 5-axis machining, coil- and bar-fed lathes.
  • Stamping & Fine blanking.
  • Industrial automation, including automated manufacturing lines.

Intuitive is an Equal Employment 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.

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

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. 

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.