Supplier Quality 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

The Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) reports to the Manager, Global Supplier Quality and is responsible for ensuring compliance of Intuitive's Supplier Controls with applicable regulations and standards including ISO 13485:2016, MDSAP, and EU MDR. The SQE partners with cross-functional teams — Purchasing, Product Quality, Supplier Development, and Supplier Engineering — to improve Supplier Controls Business Processes. Key functions include conducting key Supplier Audits as Lead Auditor, Supplier Monitoring Boards, managing Internal CAPAs related to supplier controls, driving high-visibility SCARs.

Essential Job Duties

• Conduct assigned Supplier Audits as Lead Auditor per Global Supplier Audit Schedule, including Pre-Audit activities and Post-Audit actions.

• Execute Audit Reports with necessary Audit Response Forms and Supplier Responses.

• Own Supplier Quality processes including Supplier Controls, Global Supplier Manual, Supplier Selection, Evaluation and Re-Evaluations, SCAR Process, and Supplier Monitoring as a Corporate Business Process Owner.

• Run quarterly Supplier Monitoring Boards with cross-functional stakeholders, presenting Supplier Quality health metrics on Audits, SCARs, Supplier nonconformances, and ASL.

• Periodically analyze and review Supplier Controls processes in partnership with Regulatory Affairs/Quality Systems team to maintain compliance with latest applicable Regulations and Standards.

• Lead internal CAPAs related to Supplier Controls.

• Lead high-visibility SCARs and Key Supplier Audits (Evaluations and Re-Evaluations) as Lead Auditor.

• Guide Process Managers on ASL maintenance and Supplier promotions and removals.

• Support Internal and External Audits (FDA, MDSAP, EU MDR, etc.) representing Supplier Quality in Audit Front Rooms.

• Lead Projects as Project Manager to improve Supplier Controls Processes for efficiency and compliance.

• Serve as technical custodian of Supplier Data Monitoring and Analysis; analyze and prepare data for Supplier Monitoring Boards and monitor tools and dashboards for accuracy.

• Review and Approve Product SCARs; serve as board member for SCAR Review Boards.

• Provide guidance to International Intuitive Sites on Local/Regional Supplier Controls execution and maintenance.

• Provide guidance to NPI Project teams on Supplier Selection and onboarding.

• Guide Purchasing department on Quality elements of Supplier Agreement negotiations.

Required Skills and Experience

• Minimum 3 years of related experience in Supplier Quality and/or Supplier Development or a related field.

• Excellent knowledge of 21 CFR Part 820, ISO 13485:2016, EU MDR, and MDSAP regulations, with demonstrated experience auditing suppliers to these standards.

• ISO 13485 Lead Auditor Certification.

• Ability to work with highly technical teams and communicate effectively in an engineering-driven environment.

• Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills with proven ability to prioritize tasks in a deadline-driven environment.

• Excellent presentation skills, including executive-level management presentations.

• Excellent leadership and project management skills.

• Significant computer experience using Windows, Word, Excel, Agile, Trackwise, SAP and basic AI prompts.

• Ability to read and interpret detailed mechanical drawings and communicate technical information.

Required Education and Training

BS degree in Engineering or equivalent.

Working Conditions

Ability to travel to suppliers and other Intuitive sites on an as-needed basis (approximately 50%), both domestically and internationally.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master's degree in Engineering or related field.

• Certified Lead Auditor for EUMDR, QMSR.

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.