Machine Learning Engineer - Robotics and Computer Vision

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.

The Ion™ endoluminal system is Intuitive's new robotic platform for minimally invasive biopsy in the peripheral lung, with an initial goal of improving the early diagnosis of lung cancer. The Ion R&D team is looking for a gifted engineer to contribute to our PlanPoint software and robot navigation, which together guide our physician users through the 3D structure of the lung, to take a biopsy at a target location. As a machine learning engineer on the Ion project, you will join a small team of experts in medical imaging, robotics, and software. You will play a lead technical role, working to conceptualize, design, and evaluate new solutions for medical image insights. You will contribute across the product development life cycle, taking algorithm concepts from initial prototypes to production software.

Responsibilities:

• Work as part of a cross-functional team in a fast-paced, start-up-like business unit
• Develop new algorithms and software implementations for computer vision, sensor fusion, registration, machine learning, etc.
• Prototype and iterate on designs, develop tests, and deliver high-quality software in Python and/or C++
• Participate in failure mode assessment, to identify and implement robust hazard mitigation strategies
• Maintain practical knowledge of state-of-the-art computer vision and sensor fusion research literature

Qualifications

Requirements:

• Master degree and 1 year experience; or a PhD; or equivalent experience
• Demonstrated expertise in medical image analytics, computer vision, or machine learning
• Exceptional working knowledge of Python and/or C++ programming
• Great communication, presentation, and documentation skills
• High levels of autonomy and technical ownership

Preferred Qualifications.

• Expertise in object-oriented programming
• Knowledge of one or more of the following libraries and tools: PyTorch, TensorFlow, ITK, OpenCV, or other image insights toolkits
• Project experience in medical devices or another regulated industry

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.

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.