Systems Engineer R&D

Primary Function of Position

The Advanced Product Development (APD) team is focused on designing and developing the next generation of surgical robotic systems. The Systems Engineer R&D works closely with the Systems Analysis and NPI teams to integrate software capabilities into manufacturing and test workflows for next-generation daVinci platforms. Reporting to the Sr. Manager R&D, this role connects R&D outputs to production processes, building and maintaining the software infrastructure that supports system bring-up, test, and manufacturing at scale.

The right candidate is comfortable working across software, hardware, and manufacturing contexts, and takes satisfaction in building reliable, well-organized systems that other teams depend on. Experience in a cross-functional product development environment is a plus.

Essential Job Duties

• Work with the Systems Analysis team to integrate software features into NPI and manufacturing workflows; develop and maintain the tooling that supports their use in production and test environments.
• Work with the NPI team to understand and integrate manufacturing processes; develop automation to reduce manual steps and improve consistency across the production line.
• Build data analysis scripts and pipelines to aggregate, process, and visualize test and performance data across all units built; summarize findings and share results with engineering and operations teams.
• Own and execute first-level software sanity tests across cross-functional bring-up activities; work with each team to define pass/fail criteria and ensure repeatable execution.
• Develop and maintain long-term production test suites in collaboration with Systems, NPI, and Test Engineering teams; track trends and flag anomalies as unit volume increases.
• Perform system-level bring-up of new hardware (mechanical and electrical); analyze and troubleshoot issues in close collaboration with cross-functional teams to identify root cause.
• Develop characterization test methods for new and existing hardware and software designs; work with cross-functional teams to define and validate acceptance criteria.
• Maintain clear documentation of scripts, tools, test processes, and data pipelines; ensure traceability in accordance with FDA design history file requirements.
• Provide software engineering support to related functions (manufacturing, test engineering, service) to facilitate design transfer and production readiness.

Required Skills and Experience

• Strong Python scripting skills; experience building data processing pipelines, automation frameworks, and test tooling.
• Proficiency in MATLAB for data analysis, signal processing, and algorithm validation.
• Solid software and systems-level engineering background with demonstrated ability to integrate software components across hardware and software boundaries.
• Familiarity with electromechanical system design and integration in a lab or production environment.
• Experience developing automated test frameworks and working with cross-functional teams to define test strategies and acceptance criteria.
• Comfortable with data visualization and presenting data-driven findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience with FDA QSR 21 CFR Part 820, ISO 13485, IEC 60601, and other applicable external standards.
• Strong communication and documentation skills; able to explain technical work clearly to cross-functional teams.
• Ability to learn rapidly and adapt in a fast-moving R&D environment.

Required Education and Training

• BS or MS in Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Science, or a related engineering or scientific discipline.
• Minimum 4 years of relevant systems-level or software engineering experience; medical device experience preferred.

Working Conditions

Position is fully onsite (Sunnyvale, CA). Requires regular access to lab and prototype environments with standard safety precautions. No travel required.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Genuine interest in building tools and processes that other teams rely on.
• Experience in a New Product Introduction (NPI) or manufacturing engineering environment.
• Familiarity with robotic systems, surgical devices, or other safety-critical electromechanical products.
• Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git) and software development best practices in a regulated environment.
• Knowledge of statistical process control (SPC) or other manufacturing quality methodologies.
• Experience with database tools or SQL for managing and querying large test datasets.

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.

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.