IT PLM and Engineering Solution Architect

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

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly analytical and technically proficient Solution Architect for PLM & Engineering Applications to design, configure, and integrate the digital backbone of our product development engine.

In this role, you will be the primary technical architect responsible for translating complex engineering and regulatory requirements into robust, scalable software solutions. You will own the technical design of part of our enterprise Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) platform and its deeply embedded ecosystem of Computer-Aided Design (CAD), simulation (CAE), and integrations with upstream and downstream systems. The ideal candidate brings deep hands-on expertise with industry-leading PLM platforms and an intimate understanding of the unique compliance and quality guardrails required by the Medical Device Industry.

Your mission will be to eliminate technical friction for our engineering teams, ensure absolute data integrity across the digital thread, and architect a future-proof technology stack.

Key Responsibilities

Solution Architecture & System Design

• End-to-End Architecture: Author and maintain high-level technical designs, data models, and system architecture blueprints for the enterprise PLM platform and connected engineering application suites.
• Core PLM Configuration: Lead the design and technical definition of PLM object models, lifecycles, workflows, access controls, and security classifications.
• Engineering App Ecosystem: Define the technical setup, installation standards, and data management interfaces for core engineering tools—including CAD (e.g., Creo, SolidWorks, NX), CAE/Simulation (e.g., Ansys), and electronic design automation (EDA) tools.

Digital Thread Integration

• Enterprise Connectivity: Design and implement robust, secure, and real-time integrations connecting CAD-to-PLM and PLM-to-downstream enterprise systems (such as SAP/Oracle ERP, MES, and QMS) using modern integration methodologies (REST APIs, middleware, and web services).
• BOM Transformation: Architect the automated logic and data mapping for transitioning an Engineering Bill of Materials (eBOM) within PLM into a Manufacturing Bill of Materials (mBOM) and Device Master Record (DMR) within ERP.

Medical Device Compliance & Quality

• Regulated Workflow Design: Ensure all system designs natively support medical device compliance mandates, including FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and ISO 13485 (electronic signatures, strict audit trails, and data history tracking).
• Validation Collaboration: Partner closely with Quality and Computer Software Validation (CSV) teams to author technical specifications, risk assessments, and execution protocols (IQ/OQ/PQ) for system rollouts.

Technical Leadership & Implementation

• SME Guidance: Act as the ultimate Subject Matter Expert (SME) for engineering systems, mentoring internal developers, guiding system integrators, and resolving complex tier-3 technical bottlenecks.
• Roadmap Evaluation: Conduct continuous proof-of-concepts (PoCs) and technical evaluations of upcoming software releases, cloud migration pathways, and vendor patches to determine business impact.

Qualifications

Qualifications & Experience

Required Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in mechanical/electrical engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related technical field.
• Years of Experience: Minimum of 7+ years of progressive technical experience in PLM and engineering systems, with at least 3+ years acting as a dedicated Solution Architect.
• Medical Device Expertise: Mandatory experience architecting PLM/Engineering systems within a regulated medical device or life sciences environment, with direct exposure to Design History Files (DHF) and Device Master Records (DMR).
• Platform Mastery: Advanced, hands-on architectural experience with at least one major tier-1 PLM platform:
  • PTC Windchill (including Thing Worx Navigate, PDMLink)
  • Siemens Teamcenter (including Active Workspace)
  • Dassault Systèmes Enovia/3DEXPERIENCE

Technical & Soft Skills

• Integration Acumen: Proven experience developing web services, RESTFUL APIs, and using middleware platforms to execute enterprise system integrations.
• Development Skills: Familiarity with programming languages typically used for PLM customization (e.g., Java, C++, JavaScript, or SQL) and database optimization.
• Communication: Strong capability to articulate complex technical architecture, tradeoffs, and data flows to both highly technical developers and non-technical business stakeholders.

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.