Senior 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

As a member of the service manufacturing engineering team, you will work in a dynamic, fast-paced, and challenging environment. You will be responsible for supporting the production of Da Vinci Surgical Robotic systems by applying your knowledge of system engineering including electromechanical assemblies and software to perform failure analysis, repair, and test of our systems. Your goal will be to improve customer experience through improvements in reliability, manufacturing yield, and design improvements of these surgical systems.

Essential Job Duties 

This position is a dynamic technical systems focused role that requires strong communication, problem solving, cross functional teamwork and ability to present and drive continuous improvement to processes, products, and systems.  Your primary responsibilities will include:

• Create, maintain, and improve manufacturing processes and methods to perform failure analysis of returned parts, identifying root causes of failed products.
• Performing failure analysis on PCBAs, electromechanical assemblies, and related components utilizing design documentation, manufacturing test data, software tools, and a variety of lab / bench equipment.
• Identifying emerging failure trends through structured problem solving (DMAIC, 8D, Fishbone, 5 Why), data analysis, manufacturing data, yields, and statistical process control
• Creating and leading data driven cross-functional engineering team meetings to address manufacturing issues.
• Prevents issue reoccurrence by successfully driving continuous improvement learnings from root cause analysis within engineering and manufacturing environments.
• Establish and perform IQ/OQ/PQ on equipment and fixtures. As well as execute validations on Manufacturing lines (PPQ).
• Provide production line support for day-to-day engineering issues and advanced failure analysis support
• Identify and implement continuous improvement projects with respect to customer experience including failure modes, repeated issues, problem not reproduced issues.

Required Skills and Experience

• Strong troubleshooting mind set - an ability to methodically break down a system or process into subparts to identify failures and troubleshoot to a component level. Familiarity with 8D problem solving, Fishbone Diagraming, and the 5 Whys.
• Minimum 5 years experience as design or manufacturing engineer supporting product with significant electromechanical content.
• Sense of curiosity and a willingness to always dig deeper.
• Ability to read electronic and mechanical schematics, assembly, and fabrication drawings.  Execute testing and data collection using Linux, Matlab, and other software toolsets.
• Strong skills in problem solving and using Minitab/JMP, Python, SQL, Tableau and/or other SW tools for data analysis to identify root cause and drive corrective actions.

Required Education and Training

• BS degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering/Science, or Mechanical Engineering.
• MS degree in Engineering preferred.

Working Conditions

• Ability to sit and stand for long periods of time
• Ability to lift, and carry parts weighing up to 40 lbs
• Ability to maneuver into spaces around robotic system

Preferred Skills and Experience 

• “Self-starter” attitude and comfort in a hands-on environment, where he/she can demonstrate an ability to work with other engineers to influence product and manufacturing design to improve reliability.
• Experience in an ISO 13485, ISO 9001, or medical device manufacturing environment
• Experience and proficiency in ERP, CRM, PLM software including SAP and Agile.
• Experience with use of EE lab equipment including Oscilloscopes, Spectrum Analyzers, Power supplies, and Multimeters

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.

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 base compensation ranges are listed.

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].