Senior Data Scientist

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

We are looking for a senior‑level Data Scientist to lead complex data science and analytics initiatives supporting Global Operations. Minimizing supply chain risk and optimizing manufacturing operations are critical to enabling surgeons and healthcare institutions to deliver better patient outcomes.

This role reflects a seasoned, fully qualified data science professional with wide‑ranging experience. The Data Scientist 4 applies professional

concepts and company objectives to resolve complex issues in creative and effective ways, operating with a high degree of independence.

This role is expected to represent the data science function with senior stakeholders and contribute durable analytical solutions that influence operational and strategic decisions.

Essential Job Duties 

· Lead complex, high‑impact data science initiatives across Global Operations with minimal supervision

· Independently frame ambiguous business problems and define appropriate analytical approaches

· Apply advanced statistical, predictive, and machine learning techniques to enterprise data to generate actionable insights

· Design, develop, and maintain production‑quality analytics, models, dashboards, and data products primarily using the R ecosystem

· Work extensively with Snowflake to source, transform, and analyze large and complex datasets using advanced SQL

· Develop scalable and maintainable analytics solutions leveraging Posit platforms and deployment tooling

· Ensure solutions are reproducible, well‑documented, and designed for long‑term value rather than one‑off analysis

· Present insights, implications, and recommendations to senior management and cross‑functional leadership

· Independently assess complex situations, evaluate variable factors, and determine appropriate paths forward

· Identify opportunities to apply advanced analytics and Gen AI techniques where they provide measurable business value

· Look for opportunities to apply cutting edge technologies such as Agentic AI solutions

· Mentor and provide technical guidance to less experienced Data Scientists and Analysts

· Represent the data science function on cross‑functional initiatives and influence decisions through expertise

Required Skills and Experience 

· Extensive experience developing data science solutions using the R and or Python programming ecosystem

· Strong expertise in SQL, including complex queries across large, multi‑table datasets

· Advanced knowledge of statistical methods, predictive modeling, and machine learning techniques

· Experience with programatic usage of LLM technologies for problem solving

· Proven ability to resolve complex analytical problems requiring in‑depth evaluation of variable factors

· Experience building and maintaining production‑grade analytics, reports, dashboards, or applications

· Demonstrated ability to independently lead work, set priorities, and drive results with limited supervision

· Strong judgment in selecting appropriate analytical methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria

· Excellent communication skills, with the ability to distill complexity and tailor messaging to different audiences

Required Education and Training 

Minimum Quantitative Bachelor’s degree (Statistics, Computer Science, Math, Data Science or Similar) or equivalent professional experience

Typically requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience with a University degree; or 6 years of experience and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 3 years of experience; or equivalent professional experience.

Preferred Skills and Experience

· Quantitative Advanced degree (Statistics, Computer Science, Math, Data Science or Similar)

· Experience with Posit platforms, including Workbench and Connect

· Experience designing analytics with governance, access controls, and long‑term maintainability in mind

· Experience with Git‑based workflows, code review, and collaborative development

· Experience with CI/CD concepts applied to analytics and data science

· Demonstrated mentorship or technical leadership experience

· Domain experience in manufacturing, supply chain, planning, logistics or operations analytics

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.