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.

Fluorescence Imaging at Intuitive Surgical

The Fluorescence Imaging Team at Intuitive is developing imaging agents designed to work seamlessly with Intuitive's robotic platforms and Firefly imaging technology. The agents have the potential to highlight critical anatomy and disease in real time—giving surgeons additional and clearer information at the moment decisions matter most and helping improve surgical procedure outcomes for patients.

Primary Function of Position

The Clinical Applications Engineer (CAE) serves as the field-based clinical and technical expert for Intuitive's fluorescence imaging ecosystem. The role is responsible for supporting clinical trial execution through site training, procedural support, and workflow optimization. The CAE works directly with surgeons, pathologists, study coordinators, and clinical trial sites to ensure consistent implementation of protocol-defined imaging procedures and collection of high-quality clinical data.

Clinical Site Training and Procedural Support

• Train surgeons, pathologists, research coordinators, and site personnel on protocol-defined imaging procedures.
• Provide on-site technical support during fluorescence imaging procedures and early site adoption.
• Serve as the primary field resource for imaging workflow implementation and troubleshooting.
• Support investigator meetings, site initiation visits, and training/retraining activities.

Clinical Workflow Development and Optimization

• Develop expertise in surgical, pathology, and specimen-processing workflows.
• Identify workflow challenges affecting endpoint assessment or data quality and integrity.
• Partner with sites to optimize specimen handling, imaging acquisition, pathology correlation, and documentation procedures.

Data Quality and Endpoint Assessment Support

• Ensure protocol-defined imaging assessments are executed consistently.
• Review imaging, pathology, and procedural data for completeness and quality.
• Identify protocol deviations and data quality issues.
• Support implementation of monitoring and quality review procedures.

Pathology Correlation and Reference Standard Support

• Support specimen mapping and pathology correlation workflows.
• Facilitate communication between surgical and pathology teams.
• Ensure consistent application of pathology-related study procedures.

Data Interpretation and Analysis Support

• Support review of imaging performance and endpoint data.
• Collaborate with Clinical Development, Biostatistics, and Data Science teams.
• Provide field-based insights into workflow optimization to ensure high data quality.

Skill/Job Requirements:

• BS or MS in Biomedical Engineering, Clinical Science, Nursing, Life Sciences, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years supporting clinical trials, imaging products, or surgical technologies.
• Experience working directly with physicians and clinical trial sites.
• Strong understanding of pathology workflows and clinical data collection.
• Ability to travel up to 80% during study startup and enrollment ramp-up.
• Highly collaborative and works well in a remote team environment
• Good level of English, spoken and written. Effective communication skills including oral, written and interpersonal.  Strong situational awareness
• Experience working with highly complex technical systems and/or working in a critical patient care setting with physicians and support staff
• Ability to process large amounts of data and translate information into actionable insights
• Desire to learn and build new skills
• Ability to travel up to 60%, located near a major airline/rail hub, and ability to work nights and weekends as needed
• Ability to independently prioritize and manage travel logistics, and complete associated administrative tasks in a timely manner

Ability to travel on a moment’s notice and support cases across varying geographies; comfortable booking and utilizing all forms of travel

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.

Accommodation & Accessibility Notice:

Intuitive is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require assistance or an accommodation during any part of the application or interview process, please contact People Services at [email protected].

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.