Manufacturing Engineer

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

You will be responsible to support and lead various aspects of the dV5 Manufacturing Line, primarily focused on testing processes. This position is highly collaborative, and strong communication/presentation skills are fundamental to successful partnerships with engineering, production and management teams.

Essential Job Duties

• Demonstrate ownership of various manufacturing processes, including assembly/test.
• Provide real-time (onsite) technical support for issues as they arrive.
• Resolve failures of varying complexity, which may be related to process, hardware or software. Identify root cause and implement solutions to improve manufacturability.
• Present data and proposals at project team meetings or wider audience forums.
• Provide critical DFM (Design For Manufacturability) input to development teams for software processes and electrical-based sub-assemblies.
• Develop & utilize understanding of system error codes, P values, UID test functions.
• Assist with execution of purges and other major quality control processes for production, when product defects are identified.
• Own and execute Production Process Qualifications (PPQ), for the manufacturing line.  Assist with major PPQ (full line or factory) validations.
• Participate in project teams for CAPAs, MCF (design changes), EDF (field issues), root cause analysis, DPU reduction, process improvements, CAPAs, Cost reduction, etc.
• Establish good working relationships with close functions (Production, Quality Eng, Design Eng, Supplier Eng, etc.)
• Execute complex DMR/DHR, BOM, and traveler document changes with little oversight.
• Translate factory/production data into actions or recommendations for improvements, with understanding of: DPU, yield, CPk, trend charts
• Use statistical tools independently to drive data metric reporting and improvements.
• Participate in risk analysis project teams whose intentions are to identify compliance gaps that may affect yields and quality metrics.  Understands implications of lifecycles, how they are used in product development.
• May occasionally informally mentor or supervise colleagues’ work (technicians, documentation specialists, junior engineers, interns)
• Performs other duties as required.

Required Education and Training

• BS degree in Computer Science/Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering or other similar field.

Required Skills and Experience

• 3+ years experience in a manufacturing or design-related role
• Basic engineering principles and analysis techniques
• Solid understanding of computer architecture.
• Solid understanding of computer networking and cloud-based computing
• Basic experience with software tools/scripting (eg. Matlab, Python, etc.)
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal. Necessary to engage with technicians, production management, product development, planning, purchasing, regulatory, inspection, customer support and clinical marketing organizations.

• Advanced skills with desktop software applications (Excel, Powerpoint, Word, etc.)
• Basic knowledge of process controls, including Six-Sigma, CPk, etc.
• High level of personal initiative, including ownership and leadership, to influence product design to improve reliability, robustness and performance.
• Troubleshooting ability to systematically and effectively break down a system or process into subparts to identify failures and troubleshoot to component level.
• Knowledge and execution of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
• Excellent documentation skills and high standards for instructional clarity/accuracy.
• High energy and genuine excitement to learn and get to the bottom of problems.

Preferred Skills and Experience 

• MS degree in an engineering discipline listed above.
• Prior experience working in an FDA/ISO regulated environment.
• Prior experience with Documentation and production control systems: Agile, SAP, MES
• Prior experience in development of: Matlab, Python
• Demonstrated ability to effectively design experiments, solve problems and implement them in manufacturing
• Expert knowledge (black-belt) of process controls, including Six-Sigma, CPk, etc.
• Prior experience evaluating/managing suppliers, of both custom and COTS parts.
• Experience in Just-In-Time, Demand Flow Technology, and Lean Manufacturing techniques.

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.