Staff FPGA Engineer (Future Forward)

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.

Join a team committed to taking big leaps forward for a global community of healthcare professionals and their patients. Together, let's advance the world of minimally invasive care.

Job Description

As a Staff FPGA Engineer, you will work with a group of talented and dedicated people
to improve and extend Intuitive robotic product lines. You will contribute broadly to the
Future Forward group, with focus on development of innovative electronics at the heart
of Intuitive systems.

As a member of the Future Forward engineering team, you will be involved in
designing, implementing, and testing complex FPGA designs and integrate them into
complete surgical robot solutions and seeing these through human use and product
release.

The successful candidate must excel in a high-energy small, focused team
environment, be able to drive to solutions from rough requirements and methodical
prototype iterations and have a commitment to high product quality that places
patients first.

Quick learning and a desire to understand requirements from a user’s and
engineering’s perspective are essential to become a valuable system developer. A
strong sense of shared responsibility and shared reward is required, as is the ability to
make work fun and interesting. Supporting you will be a development and
management team that knows and cares about what you are doing and wants you to
succeed.
 

This position has responsibility for all aspects related to the FPGA design for
electronic board for robotic surgical systems. The Staff FPGA Engineer will:

• Serve as a lead technical designer on project teams to develop new world-class surgical robotic systems and accessories.
• Implement FPGA design using System Verilog in the following areas: video signal processing, DMA, high-speed communications, sensor integration, motor control, and modern embedded computing modules.
• Verify implemented design in simulation and hardware.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to Integrate, debug, and support the product before and after launch.
• Write detailed design documentation, including specifications and verification protocols.
• Support the quality and regulatory processes.

Qualifications

Required Skills and Experience

• Expertise in Verilog and SystemVerilog for both synthesis and verification, with a strong command of RTL design principles.
• Extensive experience in FPGA and front-end IC design, including architecture, implementation, and optimization.
• Deep understanding of FPGA architecture, covering design methodologies, timing analysis, verification strategies, and debugging techniques.
• Proficient in FPGA design tools such as Vivado, QuestaSim, and Chipscope, with hands-on experience optimizing workflows.
• Skilled in scripting languages like Python, Tcl, Perl, or Shell for automation and design flow enhancement.
• Experienced with version control systems such as Git and SVN, ensuring efficient collaboration and project management.
• Strong communication, presentation, and technical documentation skills, facilitating seamless collaboration across teams.
• Proficient in C/C++ and MATLAB, leveraging these languages for modeling, simulation, and system-level design.

Required Education and Training 

• BSc degree in Electrical Engineering or adjacent technical field with 15 years of experience, or Master’s degree with 12 years of experience, or PhD degree with 8 years of experience.

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.

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.

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.