Mechanical Engineer, Endoscope Tip and Vision

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.

Were 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.

The Future Forward organization is Intuitive’s advanced concepts group. We explore emerging technologies, prototype next-generation solutions, and build software experiences that shape the future of robotic-assisted surgery.

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 Future Forward group within Intuitive Surgical is searching for a Mechanical Engineer to help design the endoscope system for a novel robotic surgical platform. As an early member of the team, this role is an exciting opportunity to help define the eventual product from early prototypes through clinical trials and into product launch.

Essential Job Duties

As part of the New Product Development team, the engineer will work with team members to:

Distal Tip and Vision Mechanical Design

• Own the mechanical design of the endoscope distal tip and camera module, including housings, optical windows, lens and image-sensor mounts, illumination (LED and/or fiber-optic) integration, and sealing features
• Design miniature, high-precision machined, injection-molded / micro-molded, and MIM components; perform tolerance stack-up analysis to achieve tight optical alignment and high assembly yield
• Select materials, adhesives, and joining processes (e.g., precision bonding, laser welding, soldering) compatible with biocompatibility, sterilization, and reliability requirements

Prototyping, Test, and Supplier Development

• Rapidly build, assemble, and test prototypes; analyze results and drive fast design iterations
• Apply FEA and other modeling and simulation methods (structural, thermal, sealing) to key design elements and use results to inform design decisions 
• Design tooling and fixtures for assembly, optical alignment, and test
• Work with suppliers to take parts from quick-turn prototypes to production-intent components, driving DFM/DFA, quality, and cost

Requirements, Documentation, and Design Controls

• Translate system and user needs into mechanical requirements and specifications; contribute to risk management activities (e.g., dFMEA)
• Create detailed drawings with GD&T and document designs, test protocols, and reports under design controls (ISO 13485, FDA QMSR / 21 CFR 820)
• Support design verification, clinical builds, and design transfer to manufacturing
• Generate and evaluate concepts for next-generation endoscopic and vision devices
• Electro-Mechanical and Thermal Integration
• Partner with electrical engineers to package flex / rigid-flex circuits, micro-coax cables, and connectors through the tip and shaft, managing bend radius, strain relief, and EMI shielding
• Perform thermal analysis (first-principles calculations and simulation) of the tip and camera module; design heat-spreading paths and heat sinks so that image sensors, patient-contacting surfaces remain within component and IEC 60601 temperature limits
• Plan and execute thermal characterization tests (e.g., thermocouples, IR thermography) and correlate results with models

Required Skills and Experience

• 4+ years of industry experience designing and delivering complex, precision mechanical assemblies (or 1+ years with an PhD)
• Hands-on experience building, assembling, and testing prototypes and complex mechanical assemblies
• Proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks strongly preferred) and detailed drawing creation
• Working knowledge of GD&T (ASME Y14.5) / ISO drafting standards and tolerance stack-up analysis
• Experience applying FEA and first-principles engineering analysis to the design of mechanical parts
• Experience designing for machining and injection molding, and working directly with suppliers
• Strong communication and documentation skills; proven ability to collaborate in a fast-paced, cross-functional team

Preferred Skills and Experience (Strong Plus)

• Electro-mechanical system design: integrating PCBAs, flex / rigid-flex circuits, cabling, connectors, sensors, or actuators into compact mechanical packages
• Thermal analysis and thermal management: heat-transfer calculations, heat sink / heat spreader sizing, and thermal simulation (e.g., ANSYS Icepak / Fluent, Simcenter FloTHERM, COMSOL, or SolidWorks Flow Simulation), with correlation to test data
• Medical device development experience, particularly endoscopes, catheters, or other minimally invasive instruments, under ISO 13485 design controls
• Knowledge of biocompatible materials (ISO 10993), sterilization / reprocessing methods, and sealing / ingress protection
• Experience with micro-manufacturing processes such as Swiss-type machining, micro-molding, MIM, laser welding, and precision adhesive bonding
• Familiarity with IEC 60601-1 and IEC 60601-2-18 (endoscopic equipment)
• Scripting for data analysis or test automation (e.g., Python, MATLAB)

Required Education and Training

• · BS in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field

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.