Senior Manager, AI and Automation, Global Business Systems

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:

The Senior Manager, AI & Automation is responsible for defining and executing the strategy, governance, and delivery of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Automation, and Digital Transformation initiatives across Global Services. This role partners closely with Global Services leadership, IT, and cross-functional stakeholders to identify opportunities that improve customer experience, employee productivity, operational efficiency, and business scalability.

The Senior Manager will lead a team focused on AI innovation, intelligent automation, analytics, and process optimization while ensuring all solutions meet the compliance, validation, and quality standards required.

This is a business role and not a solution (IT) role.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• AI & Automation Strategy
  • Develop and execute a multi-year AI and Automation roadmap aligned with Global Services and enterprise objectives.
  • Identify opportunities to leverage AI, machine learning, generative AI, robotic process automation (RPA), workflow automation, and predictive analytics.
  • Establish an innovation framework that balances experimentation, governance, risk management, and business value realization.
  • Drive adoption of emerging technologies to improve customer and employee experiences.
• Business Process Transformation
  • Partner with business leaders to assess operational challenges and identify opportunities for automation and optimization.
  • Lead process improvement initiatives focused on reducing manual effort, increasing scalability, and improving service delivery performance.
  • Facilitate automation opportunity assessments and prioritization workshops across Global Services functions.
  • Establish metrics and reporting to measure automation effectiveness and ROI.
• AI & Digital Solutions Delivery
  • Lead the design, development, implementation, and support of AI-enabled solutions and automation platforms.
  • Oversee delivery of solutions supporting CRM, service operations, customer support, knowledge management, telephony, field service, and customer-facing technologies.
  • Collaborate with enterprise architecture and IT teams to ensure solutions are scalable, secure, and integrated.
  • Establish standards, methodologies, and best practices for AI and automation development for global services that align with the corporate requirements.
• Governance, Risk & Compliance
  • Create governance processes for AI and automation initiatives, including intake, prioritization, approvals, and monitoring for global services.
  • Ensure solutions comply with applicable regulations, quality system requirements, and data privacy standards.
  • Partner with Quality, Regulatory, Legal, Privacy, and Cybersecurity teams to assess risks associated with AI solutions as required.
  • Support validation activities for systems operating within regulated environments and ensure appropriate documentation is maintained.
• Data & Analytics Leadership
  • Promote data-driven decision making through advanced analytics, dashboards, and operational insights.
  • Partner with business, analytics, and IT stakeholders to improve data quality, accessibility, and governance.
  • Leverage AI and analytics to identify trends, predict service demand, improve customer support outcomes, and optimize resource utilization.
• Vendor & Technology Management
  • Evaluate emerging AI and automation technologies, vendors, and strategic partnerships.
  • Manage vendor relationships and contracts related to AI, automation, and analytics solutions.
  • Lead proof-of-concept initiatives and business case development for new technologies.
• People Leadership
  • Build and lead a high-performing team of AI, Automation, Business Systems, and Process Excellence professionals.
  • Foster a culture of innovation, experimentation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  • Coach team members on emerging technologies, business process optimization, and digital transformation methodologies.
  • Develop organizational capabilities that support long-term AI adoption and operational excellence.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, Business, Data Science, or related field or 10+ years of experience in business systems, automation, digital transformation, process improvement, or technology leadership.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing technical, business systems, or transformation teams.
• Experience implementing AI, automation, analytics, or digital transformation initiatives at enterprise scale.
• Strong understanding of service operations, customer support, field service, or customer experience processes.
• Experience with enterprise platforms such as CRM, workflow automation, and analytics solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to build business cases and deliver measurable business outcomes.
• Strong stakeholder management and executive communication skills.
• Experience in the medical device, healthcare, life sciences, or other regulated industries with knowledge of GxP, Computer System Validation (CSV), AI governance, and risk management frameworks.
• Experience with Generative AI, machine learning, intelligent automation, RPA, and predictive analytics.
• Familiarity with AI governance, responsible AI principles, and data privacy regulations.
• Lean Six Sigma, Process Excellence, Agile, or Project Management certifications a plus.

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.

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 base compensation ranges are listed.