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 Staff Mechanical Engineer will focus on sustaining and improving product performance, reliability and capacity, identifying and developing cost reductions, addressing supply chain challenges, as well as contributing to new product development of complex surgical instruments utilizing various energy modalities.  The successful candidate will have the technical depth to resolve complex mechanical, materials, and manufacturing design issues, as well as the ability to work in an interdisciplinary team to troubleshoot and determine root cause of higher-level system issues.  A strong sense of ownership, shared responsibility and shared reward is required, as well as a commitment to high product quality.

Essential Job Duties 

• Work individually and collaboratively within cross-functional project teams to deeply understand product performance, supply chain, manufacturing, cost, field issues and opportunities. 
• Identify, develop, test and document solutions that meet customer and business needs, while meeting design requirements and according to corporate standard and documented Design Control procedures.
• Analyze and test instruments and their components, including development of DOEs, data collection, data analysis and reports.
• Provide technical support to manufacturing and suppliers by reviewing processes, assemblies, test procedures, and test/inspection fixtures.
• Support in driving anomalies and non-conformances to closure.
• Perform root cause investigation of both latent and emerging design, manufacturing or material defects.
• Establish individual goals consistent with overall project goals.
• Support the design and development of new Advanced Energy instruments.
• Work individually or in cross-functional project teams to investigate, design and develop product improvements/enhancements or cost reductions opportunities on current or new Advanced Energy instruments.
• Develop and collaborate on verification testing.
• Provide leadership and oversight of small technically focused teams.
• Provide technical advice and mentoring to other mechanical engineers.
• Help establish individual and team goals aligned with overall project and company goals.
• Travel as needed to support projects.

Required Education, Skills & Experience 

• Minimum of 12 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 8 years of experience and a Master's degree; or a PhD with 5 years of experience; or equivalent experience
• Strong mechanical design and analytical skills
• Demonstrated knowledge of high-volume manufacturing processes such as injection molding, MIM, stamping, extrusion and machining
• Demonstrated knowledge of materials (preferably metals and plastics) and material properties
• Ability to apply knowledge of engineering materials and component selection criteria to product designs through strong concept development, design analysis, hands-on prototyping, and reliability testing skills
• Knowledge of design for reliability, scalability, economy and manufacturability (Design for Manufacturing & Assembly)
• Proficiency using 3D CAD software to design complex mechanical assemblies, components and drawings (SolidWorks preferred)
• Demonstrated knowledge of documenting components for medium to high volume manufacturing processes, including GD&T
• Ability to navigate complex technical and programmatic situations by driving timely decision making and setting appropriate priorities
• Self-motivated, hands-on, and able to work well within a fast-paced team-oriented environment
• Ability to communicate effectively (written, oral) across all levels

Preferred Skills & Experience 

• Medical device experience
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience with medium to high volume product
• Experience with the full commercial design, development, and production lifecycle
• Experience leading projects and/or small teams
• Prior experience with vessel sealing devices

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.