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.

Primary Function of Position

The Wiring Harness Mechanical Design Engineer supports the design and development of wiring harness systems for da Vinci platforms, from concept through production. This role partners closely with Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supplier Engineering to deliver reliable, manufacturable, and serviceable harness solutions and supports integration of electro-mechanical systems across the product.

The engineer applies mechanical fundamentals and working knowledge of electrical interfaces to develop and document harness designs, support prototype builds, and resolve issues quickly. Success in this role comes from strong attention to detail, clear communication across functions, and the ability to execute in a fast-paced product development environment.
 

Essential Job Duties

• Design and develop wiring harness assemblies in collaboration with Mechanical, Electrical, and Systems Engineering teams
• Create and release harness documentation, including drawings, schematics, and routing diagrams
• Perform basic electrical and mechanical analyses such as wire sizing, routing constraints, bend radius, strain relief, and cable packaging within mechanical assemblies
• Support harness architecture definition with guidance from senior engineers, including routing through complex mechanical assemblies and managing interface constraints
• Design for manufacturability, reliability, serviceability, and cost in partnership with Manufacturing and Supplier Engineering
• Support vendor engagement during prototype development and fabrication of harness assemblies, and assist with build activities
• Hands-on prototyping and assembly of wiring harnesses and cable assemblies using standard lab tools and processes
• Assist in planning and execution of verification and validation testing
• Troubleshoot issues during prototype builds and early production, including hands-on debug of harness assemblies, connectors, and routing issues; drive root cause and corrective actions
• Contribute to design improvements using DFM feedback and failure analysis

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field with typically 5+ years of relevant experience
• 3+ years of engineering experience, including at least 1+ years of wiring harness design experience
• Working knowledge of electrical fundamentals relevant to harness design (current, voltage drop, grounding, shielding)
• Strong mechanical design fundamentals, including materials awareness, tolerance considerations, and DFM principles
• Understanding of harness integration considerations, including routing, strain relief, and packaging constraints
• Experience using CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks) and creating detailed harness manufacturing drawings (flattened harness drawings, BOMs, wire lists)
• Working knowledge of wiring harness fabrication techniques (crimping, soldering, assembly processes)

Nice to have:

• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively across Mechanical, Electrical and Systems Engineering teams
• Detail-oriented, self-driven, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
• Ability to independently plan and execute assigned work, manage multiple priorities, and communicate status proactively within cross-functional teams
• OR Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field with typically 3+ years of relevant experience
• Working knowledge or exposure to IPC/WHMA-A-620 or similar industry workmanship standards
• Experience designing wiring harnesses for robotics, medical devices, or similar complex systems
• Familiarity with harness design tools and electrical CAD systems
• Understanding of EMI/EMC, shielding, and grounding principles
• Exposure to regulated product development environments (e.g., IEC 60601, ISO 13485)
• Experience working with suppliers during prototype or production phases
• Ability to contribute to wiring harness architecture decisions with guidance, including routing strategy, connector selection, and system integration trade-offs
• Experience with electro-mechanical system design or integration involving electrical subsystems

Working Conditions

• Primarily computer-based design work using CAD and documentation tools
• Regular lab work supporting prototype builds, harness routing, and testing
• Ability to safely use standard lab tools and fixtures
• Occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds
• Occasional travel to supplier and manufacturing sites

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.