Sr Supplier Engineer, NPI

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 the Position:

Responsible for ensuring suppliers meet ISI requirements for quality, service, delivery, and cost while driving continuous improvement in manufacturing and business processes. Evaluate and select suppliers, guide Engineering in sourcing decisions, and provide DFM input to support NPI. Lead supplier engagements across quality, cost, capacity, and risk, including hands-on debugging of complex assemblies to true root cause within supplier processes. Ensure alignment with applicable regulatory and electronic compliance requirements throughout design and manufacturing.

Essential Job Duties:

• Debug complex supplier-related issues, including PCBAs, by tracing failures from system-level symptoms to component, process, or test root cause within supplier manufacturing; drive resolution through corrective actions and process improvements
• Apply regulatory and electronic compliance requirements (e.g., safety, EMC, environmental) across supplier selection, design, and manufacturing processes
• Complete part and process qualification deliverables, including Supplier pFMEA, IQ/OQ/PQ, inspection reports, Gage R&R, and process capability analysis
• Drive cost reduction, capacity improvement, and risk mitigation initiatives with suppliers
• Select appropriate manufacturing processes and suppliers based on long-term fit and total cost of ownership
• Manage supplier changes, including process changes, production optimization, facility transfers, new equipment qualification, and line validations
• Initiate and manage engineering changes (ECOs) to update specifications and drawings as needed
• Own and drive supplier variances from issue identification through root cause, corrective action, and CAPA documentation
• Effectively prioritize and manage multiple concurrent projects
• Communicate project status clearly to cross-functional stakeholders
• Build and drive supplier development strategies to improve performance and capability
• Ensure appropriate documentation to support decisions, actions, and traceability
• Develop and track key supplier and team metrics, driving timely execution against targets
• Lead supplier performance improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, SPC, and structured problem-solving methods across multiple suppliers
• Drive supplier investigations and implement corrective and preventive actions to eliminate recurrence
• Provide data-driven insights on supply base health and risks to management
• Develop and deliver supplier communications, including performance scorecards
• Partner with Design Engineering and suppliers to support NPI by:
  • Assessing supplier landscapes and readiness for product launch
  • Developing supplier ramp plans based on capacity, quality, and business risk
  • Driving DFM through early supplier engagement to improve manufacturability
  • Influencing supplier selection through structured evaluation and criteria development
• Review and disposition customer complaints, manufacturing variances, and first article inspections using risk-based judgment
• Evaluate effectiveness of supplier corrective actions and identify opportunities for systemic improvement
• Perform other duties as required

Qualifications

Required Skill and Experience

• Minimum 5+ years of experience in engineering and manufacturing of electro-mechanical assemblies, PCBAs, cable harnesses, or metal components
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present to executive leadership
• Strong interpersonal and team collaboration skills
• Proven track record of implementing Lean, Six Sigma, and SPC initiatives at suppliers
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Excellent analytical problem-solving skills with sound judgment
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate and challenge supplier technical, quality, and business capabilities
• Broad knowledge of manufacturing processes, including key input variables impacting quality, cost, and capacity (e.g., metals, plastics, electronics, contract manufacturing)
• Working knowledge of applicable regulations and standards, including 21 CFR Part 820 and ISO 13485
• Proficiency with standard business and engineering tools (e.g., Excel, Project, ERP systems such as SAP or Agile)
• Proven ability to influence and drive supplier performance
• Ability to read and interpret detailed mechanical drawings, including GD&T, and effectively communicate technical information

Required Education and Training

• BS in Engineering or equivalent experience; advanced degree preferred

• Previous experience in engineering within consumer electronics, medical devices, or other electro-mechanical commercial products

• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and engineering fundamentals 

Working Conditions

• Ability to travel to suppliers on an as-needed basis – domestic and international.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Advanced degree
• Medical device industry experience
• Experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment (medical device preferred)
• Supplier management or supplier engineering experience
• CAD experience with 3D modeling tools
• Exposure to PCB/PCA design and layout tools (e.g., Allegro or similar), with the ability to interpret layouts and support root cause analysis
• Experience with statistical analysis software (e.g.,Minitab)

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.