Sr. Software Engineer - Build and Release

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 

This role reports to the DV5 Software Release Manager and works collaboratively with a cross-functional team to implement software and processes for build and release, continuous integration, and developer productivity.

The engineer should possess excellent problem-solving skills and interpersonal abilities to drive releases forward by creating solutions and building consensus.

The engineer should be very comfortable writing code in C++, Python, managing branches with Git, and taking ownership of large, complex projects to support software development goals.

Essential Job Duties 

• Drive new build and release initiatives, including improvements to the build system, continuous integration, developer productivity, and code quality
• Provide expert Bazel build system support to platform and application software teams across multiple product lines
• Develop tools and processes to efficiently support code sharing in a large monorepo
• Support integration of AI tools and automation in the areas of software development, issue tracking, release management, and documentation
• Identify and resolve bottlenecks to software development
• Collaborate on development of Groovy CI/CD pipelines in Jenkins

Required Skills and Experience 

• Experience with software build and release processes
• Significant experience in software development with C/C++ and Python
• Experience troubleshooting complex systems in a software, manufacturing or systems engineering role
• Great communication and analytical skills
• Hands on experience with Linux
• Experience with creating high-quality technical documentation
• Experience managing branches and releases with Git

Required Education and Training 

• Bachelors or higher in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Biomedical Engineering or related field with relevant experience

Working Conditions 

• None

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience building infrastructure as code with Nix or Ansible
• Experience developing thread safe embedded C++ applications
• Experience designing software products in an FDA or other regulated industry
• Realtime operating system experience, such as QNX

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.