Manager, Manufacturing Software Engineering

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 Position

You will be responsible for leading a team of SW engineers responsible for the development, deployment and sustaining of SW tools and methodologies at our da Vinci surgical robotic systems manufacturing facilities. As a technical leader of the team, you will be responsible for managing the team’s project portfolio, driving strategy of SW development and deployment across multiple manufacturing facilities. You will be required to mentor, coach and develop your team of software engineers, as well as engage cross-functionally across multiple engineering disciplines to resolve issues, drive continuous improvements, and innovate across Intuitive’s platforms.

The manufacturing software engineering team is responsible for developing and maintaining software used for calibrating and testing of the da Vinci surgical robot and its subassemblies in manufacturing. In addition to people management, you will be leading software development projects, participate in resolving escalations, and be a core team member across our strategic initiatives. You will work collaboratively with manufacturing, quality and product development engineering, as well as our operations and IT partners. Successful execution of these responsibilities will facilitate the achievement of quality, capacity, and cost goals for Intuitive’s manufacturing operations.

Essential Job Duties

• Manage, mentor and coach the software developers on the team.

• Develop, manage and track software projects through their lifecycles.

• Manage software requirements, validation protocols and report documentation.

• Contribute to software development, troubleshooting, and manufacturing support.

• Establish standards, metrics and measurement techniques to assess the quality of software delivered by the team.

• Establish and manage the software development and deployment process.

• Acquire and maintain a detailed understanding of each product’s system level operation, control algorithms, safety systems, and user interfaces. Leverage this knowledge to ensure product integrity in a production environment.

• Drive strategies that address the requirements of our IT and OT teams for the deployment of manufacturing SW across our manufacturing facilities.

• Provide technical leadership for the integration of production test software with equipment, test fixtures and processes.

• Manage team’s budget and the software lab space and equipment.

• Manage and allocate team resources over multiple projects. Negotiate for needed resources from other teams to enable project success as needed.

Required Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated management experience

• Experience in management of complex and cross functional projects

• Strong Python programming experience and skills

• JavaScript programming experience.

• Experience with software design and development on Windows PC and Linux

• Experience with web user interface design and development.

• Experience with developing and incorporating custom APIs.

• Excellent verbal, presentation and written communication skills with an ability to relate to different people in cross-functional teams.

• Self-starter, capable of defining requirements and implementing them with little or no help.

• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.

• Good system level comprehension and issues identification skills.

• Understanding of electrical and mechanical design.

Required Education and Training

• BS degree in Computer Science, Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics or Control Systems Engineering, or similar field relating to robotic systems.

• 5+ years of experience in development, manufacturing engineering test engineering, automation engineering, diagnostics software, or embedded software development.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• MS degree in an Engineering discipline.

• 2+ years of experience as a manager

• Hardware device test software in either a manufacturing or engineering environment.

• Control systems development for robotics or electro-mechanical systems.

• Prior experience working in an FDA/ISO regulated environment.

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.