Manager, Supplier Engineering

Primary Function of Position

The Plant Supplier Engineering Manager leads a team of Supplier Engineers (SE) supporting the Sunnyvale plant production supply base across multiple product families. This role is accountable for organizing the Supplier Engineering team by commodity and product line to drive deep product knowledge, supplier process expertise, and clear ownership across the supply chain lifecycle.

The Manager ensures alignment of supplier strategy, manufacturing process capability, and production readiness across New Product Introduction (NPI) and sustaining production. This role drives quality, cost, capacity, and risk mitigation performance while partnering cross-functionally with NPI SE Commodity SE, Design/Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Operations, Planning and Purchasing to maintain a resilient, high-performing supply chain for our production plants globally.

Essential Job Duties - Plant Supplier Engineering

Lead a team of Supplier Engineers responsible for driving supplier performance, quality improvement, and supply continuity to support stable plant operations and a high-performing, sustainable production supply chain.

Team Leadership & Organizational Alignment

• Organize the Plant Supplier Engineering team by commodity and product family to ensure clear ownership of supplier performance and plant support.
• Develop supplier engineers with strong product knowledge, supplier manufacturing understanding, and problem-solving capability.
• Establish clear ownership for supplier quality, validation reports (VRs), corrective actions, and plant issue resolution.
• Coach and develop team members to strengthen technical depth, urgency, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Drive performance management, development planning, and succession readiness within the team.

Supplier Performance & Plant Support

• Own supplier performance for parts supporting the plant across quality, delivery, capacity, and continuity.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for supplier-related plant issues, driving rapid containment and resolution.
• Partner with suppliers to drive corrective actions and sustainable process improvements when plant issues arise.
• Monitor supplier performance metrics and implement improvement plans where gaps exist.
• Ensure supplier readiness to support production stability and uninterrupted supply.

Supplier Manufacturing Process Improvement

• Lead supplier process improvements related to quality escapes, recurring defects, or manufacturing inefficiencies impacting the plant.
• Work directly with suppliers to improve process capability, inspection methods, and manufacturing controls.
• Drive corrective actions using structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Ensure supplier processes meet quality and reliability expectations for sustained production performance.
• Manage supplier relationships to effectively partner ISI and the supplier.
• Using the ASL and Global Commodity Matrix, manage quality and performance of the commodity supply base within ISI in partnership with Engineering and Purchasing.

Supplier Change Management & Risk Mitigation

• Own execution and closure of Variance Requests (VRs) and Supplier Change Requests (SCRs) impacting plant production.
• Support implementation of ECO changes affecting suppliers, ensuring validation and risk mitigation prior to production release.
• Identify and manage supplier-related risks, including quality, capacity, and supply continuity.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure changes are validated and implemented smoothly.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Drive root cause investigations and corrective actions for supplier quality issues impacting plant operations.
• Convert recurring supplier issues into structured improvement projects to eliminate root causes.
• Apply continuous improvement principles to improve supplier performance and reduce variability.
• Lead initiatives to improve quality, capacity stability, and operational efficiency within the supplier base.

Cross-Functional Partnership & Communication

• Serve as the plant’s primary supplier engineering interface with internal teams including Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Engineering.
• Provide visibility to plant leadership on supplier risks, performance trends, and improvement actions.
• Partner with Commodity / Supply Chain Engineering to provide plant input on supplier capability and performance.
• Support transition of new suppliers or parts into sustaining production once sourcing decisions are finalized.

Required Skills and Experience 

• Proven ability to lead teams to solve difficult technical and process problems
• Proven ability to hire highly capable staff, and grow and mentor staff
• Proven ability in New Product Introduction and rapid scaling in production
• Outstanding analytical skills along with good judgment
• Proficient in Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing techniques, certification preferred
• Proficient in pFMEA, process validation, route cause investigation, inspection and test techniques
• Knowledge of document management system and ERP Information Systems, preferably Agile and SAP
• Demonstrable knowledge of a wide range of manufacturing processes including understanding of key input variables for quality, cost and capacity
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including presentations to executive level management
• Demonstrated Project Management skills
• Ability to travel to suppliers on an as needed basis – domestic and international

Required Education and Training

• BA or BS degree in engineering

• 12 or more years related experience in Manufacturing, Operations, Supplier Quality, Supplier Development, or related field with significant medical or medical device experience preferred
• Minimum 3 years of experience leading engineering teams, or leadership of equivalent areas.

Preferred Skills and Experience  

• Knowledge of 21 CFR part 820 and ISO 13485 preferred
• Experience in a high-volume medical device company 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.