Clinical Development Lab Technician

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

The Clinical Development Lab Technician (CDLT) executes laboratory experiments alongside Clinical Development Engineers to evaluate the safety and efficacy of products for our surgical robotic system platforms.  The CDLT is responsible for conducting laboratory experiments on bench-top tissue models, supporting execution and data collection during ex-vivo and in-vivo laboratory experiments, managing laboratory equipment and study logistics, and assisting in documentation and data analysis.   The CDLT may also support general lab operations including systems repair and maintenance, inventory supply management, lab equipment and audio/visual setup and troubleshooting, and ordering of supplies/equipment.

Essential Job Duties

• ​​Handle, dissect, prepare and apply therapy to various ex-vivo tissues
• Perform laboratory experiments utilizing the da Vinci Surgical Platforms and competitor products on ex-vivo tissue models
• Assist or lead execution of straight-forward product development laboratory assessments
• Serve as bedside assistant in pre-clinical validations
• Fabricate dry bench top models for testing
• Collect and documents data during laboratory experiments
• Provide set-up and end of lab clean up support
• Assemble, troubleshoot, and maintain laboratory equipment
• Effectively learn use of new specialty equipment to support a wide variety of labs
• Attain level of proficiency to perform key pre-clinical tasks without supervision
• Manage logistics for onsite and offsite studies, including tissue and/or equipment/supplies shipping, ordering, tracking, and receiving
• Assist in documentation and data analysis, such as inputting values into a database, converting raw data into tables and graphs, reviewing and editing video, and analyzing data using statistics
• Manage lab equipment and robotic system repairs/maintenance/setup including audio/visual equipment and connectivity
• Propose, plan, and implement process improvements in lab​
• Able to independently organize and execute appropriately scoped assignments
• Communicate findings and updates in a timely and organized manner to engineering team
• Build strong relationships and trust with collaborators, such as engineers and other technicians
• Keep Intuitive’s vision and values at the forefront of decision making
• ​Perform other duties as required to support the company’s overall strategy and goals

Required Skills and Experience

• ​Minimum 4-6 years of relevant work experience
• Experience in medical device industry and/or working with tissue models
• Exposure to surgical terminology, anatomy, and surgical technique
• Mechanical aptitude and intuition for spatial relations, proficiency with laboratory equipment and troubleshooting
• Strong skills in experimental and scientific methods and data collection/analysis
• Excellent teamwork skills to ensure timely project success
• Proficient in working with computer systems and office applications including Word, Excel, Smartsheet, etc.
• Proficient in learning and basic troubleshooting of new software applications, such as purchasing, expense reporting, or equipment calibration management software, which require understanding workflows for entering initial inputs as well as making updates.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written)

Required Education and Training

• ​​Minimum relevant Associate’s degree or High School diploma; Bachelor’s degree preferred

Working Conditions ​

• ​Ability to travel up to 10% of the time
• Ability to lift 40 lbs of weight

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with in-vivo models

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.