Sr. Mechanical 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.

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

Intuitive Surgical designs and manufactures highly complex mechanical systems for use in surgery. The Mechanical Engineer is responsible for developing, documenting, and validating new product designs, as well as improving existing designs to meet the needs of our customers

Essential Job Duties

• Design, develop and document components and assemblies for novel robotic laparoscopic energy/energy instruments.
• Miniaturization of existing architectures based on clinical needs.
• Create novel architectures capable of expanding surgical tool sets from soft tissue to hard and structural anatomy
• Utilize engineering fundamentals to analyze a problem, brainstorm potential solutions and conduct empirical confirmation of designs.
• Create new product architectures for next generation of reusable and disposable instruments.
• Conceptualize and analyze complex electro mechanical assemblies, create theoretical models, conducts empirical confirmation & performs computer assisted simulations
• Design and Develop mechanical parts and assemblies, with careful consideration for mechanical design, kinematics, materials (plastics & metals) and stress analysis.
• Develop testing fixtures to perform verification and validation testing of a production-level components and products.
• Collaborate with supplier engineers and vendors to optimize component DFM (injection molded and machined) required for high volume manufacturing.
• Create product functional and design specifications. Performs DFMEA on parts that are designed.
• Working collaboratively within multi-disciplinary teams to define requirements for new and current designs.
• Develop automated scripts to test new designs, fluent in use of tools such as Matlab, Anysys and Analyze and test product designs.
• Develop Design History Files per FDA requirements, understands FDA product design DOP.
• Shepherd projects through the design control process (design specification, design review, risk analysis, etc.), and support New Product Introduction personnel in initial builds (procurement, assembly, troubleshooting).
• Investigate and establish root cause of both latent and emerging design, manufacturing or material defects.
• Assess field reliability data to evaluate and improve existing product designs.
• Provide mechanical engineering sustaining support for resolution of manufacturing and field issues.
• Perform technical design reviews to solicit feedback on design progress.

Required Skills and Experience

• Very Strong analytical aptitude with an emphasis on theoretical fundamentals
• High Proficiency using software like 3D CAD to design mechanisms; SolidWorks preferred (3D design & surfacing), Matlab, Finite Element Analysis (such as Ansys/ Pro Mechanica)
• Exceptional prototyping skills, quick turn around concepts into prototypes
• Programming in Matlab to interface with electro-mechanical assemblies and perform data analysis
• Experience with all phases of the product development lifecycle, including design, debugging, verification, qualification, implementation, and transfer.
• Machining & high-volume injection molding experience a plus
• Comfortable in analyzing electrical assemblies and sensors
• Comfortable with all phases of the product development lifecycle including design, implementation, debugging, verification, qualification, and transfer
• Excellent communication and documentation skills
• Comfortable operating machine shop equipment
• Strong understanding of component selection criteria, and design for reliability and manufacturability
• Process development and assembly instructions as needed for new products
• Prefer medical device experience

Required Education and Training

• BSME with 8 years’ experience, MSME with 6 years’ experience or PHD with 3 years’ experience (preferred)

Preferred Skills and Experience  

• Highly proficient in mechanical design (design of components, mechanism, linkages, , drive mechanisms and gears)
• High Proficiency using software like 3D CAD to design mechanisms; SolidWorks preferred (3D design & surfacing), Matlab, Finite Element Analysis (such as Ansys/ Pro Mechanica)
• Experience with Instrumentation for Spine, Micro Surgical application, Orthopedics is a plus
• System and robotic design experience
• Machining & high volume injection molding experience a plus
• Experience with Nitinol fabrication and machining
• Programming in Matlab to interface with electromechanical assemblies and perform data analysis
• Comfortable in analyzing electrical assemblies and sensors, programming in PYTHON or C++ to interface and control electromechanical assemblies
• Exceptional aptitude for experimental design, testing, and data analysis; experience with design of experiments (DoEs) and statistical review is a plus
• Project Management experience a plus

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.