Staff Mechanical Engineer

Primary Function of Position

Intuitive Surgical designs and manufactures highly complex electromechanical robotic systems for use in surgery, which include a variety of individual sub-systems and components that are required to achieve the desired level of surgical performance. The Staff 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.

The Staff Mechanical Engineer will develop new and innovative surgical devices (e.g., disposables, instruments, accessories) for the Intuitive da Vinci Surgical System. He or she must excel in a high-energy team environment and be capable of making sound decisions when faced with time pressures and incomplete information typical of new product development. The successful candidate must have strong technical depth in relevant areas and have a track record of successful product development efforts. Responsibilities include developing, documenting, and validating new product designs, as well as improving existing designs to meet the needs of our customers.

Essential Job Duties

• Contribute as a Mechanical Engineering representative on cross-functional teams developing next-generation surgical and energy products.
• Analyze, prototype, and test product concepts and individual components.
• Perform risk analyses and develop design requirements; document and verify designs in accordance with corporate and departmental procedures.
• Provide technical input to support development of fixtures and assembly processes in partnership with manufacturing and automation teams.
• Deliver sustaining mechanical engineering support to address supply chain, manufacturing, and field-related issues.
• Support production by troubleshooting process and component-level problems.
• Participate in quality and regulatory activities to support compliant product development and release.

Required Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated expertise in designing plastic injection-molded components with a focus on scalability, cost efficiency, and manufacturability; experience participating in DFM reviews, tool design reviews, and supplier engagement.
• Strong proficiency with SolidWorks 3D CAD for the design of complex parts, assemblies, and engineering drawings within a PDM environment.
• Ownership of top-level assemblies and BOMs including material selection, and manufacturing processes.
• Proficient in GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis; familiarity with simulation and analysis tools is a plus.
• Broad experience across all phases of the product development lifecycle, including proof-of-concept, detail design, debugging, verification, qualification, and transfer to manufacturing.
• Ability to provide technical guidance and mentorship to other engineers and lead small technical teams effectively.
• Self-motivated, hands-on engineer who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Curiosity and persistence to deeply investigate and resolve complex technical challenges.
• Strong commitment to designing robust, reliable, and high-quality products.

Required Education and Training

• Bachelor’s degree with 12 years of experience, Master’s degree with 8 years of experience, or PhD with 6 years of experience.

Working Conditions

• Experience working in a highly regulated environment preferably medical device development.
• Experience with energy devices or pneumatic systems is a plus.

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.