Managing Staff Mechanical 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.

Managing Staff, Systems Mechanical Engineering

At Intuitive, we’re transforming healthcare through innovative robotic surgical platforms that enhance patient outcomes and redefine surgical care. Our team is a passionate, cross-functional group pioneering surgical robotics platforms. We’re seeking a Managing Staff Mechanical Engineer to lead system mechanical engineering efforts for novel robotic capital equipment design in an exciting new clinical application.

Why Join Us?

• Lead the end-to-end development of groundbreaking surgical robotic system hardware — from concept and prototyping through manufacturing and commercialization.

• Collaborate closely with clinicians and interdisciplinary teams (software, electrical, controls) to deliver innovative, integrated solutions.

• Drive technical strategy and provide hands-on leadership in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

• Take part in early architecture decisions and help determine the shape of a new system and product portfolio that will reduce surgical invasiveness and improve patient outcomes worldwide.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage and mentor a small, high-performing team of mechanical engineers focused on robotic systems for minimally invasive surgery.

• Operate with a “player-coach” approach, tackling challenging technical problems yourself with creativity, rigorous engineering analysis, and an exemplary rapid design iteration process.

• Oversee all phases of mechanical design, from prototype development to testing and through validation to ensure robust, reliable products.

• Lead cross-functional projects, balancing scope, schedule, budget, and risk to deliver on aggressive development goals.

• Contribute to the identification and execution of strategies for product development, regulatory submissions, and intellectual property creation.

• Foster a culture of innovation, quality, and continuous improvement within the team and across functions.

• Act as a key technical resource, resolving complex design and manufacturing challenges while integrating multidisciplinary inputs.

• Represent the team’s progress and risks to senior leadership, driving transparent and proactive communication.

What You Bring:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Systems Engineering, or related discipline.

• 5+ years’ experience managing engineering teams and 7+ years designing complex mechanical products, preferably in human interface devices or robotics.

• Deep expertise in mechanical design, materials selection, manufacturing processes, CAD modeling, and prototype development.

• Proven experience with executing development projects in heavily regulated environments; for example, experience with FDA QSR 21 CFR Part 820, ISO 13485, IEC 60601, and other medical device regulatory standards.

• Strong project and program management skills with a track record of delivering products on time and within budget.

• Exceptional communication skills and ability to influence across teams and leadership levels.

• Passion for solving challenging engineering problems and delivering patient-impacting innovations.

Location & Commitment:

• This full-time role is based in Sunnyvale, CA. Relocation assistance is available.

• Travel up to 10%, including some international travel, may be required.

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.