Staff Mechanical Engineer - Future Forward Division

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

Join Intuitive’s Future Forward Team — Sunnyvale, CA

At Intuitive, we’re transforming healthcare through innovative robotic surgical platforms that enhance patient outcomes and redefine surgical care. Our Future Forward team is a passionate, cross-functional group pioneering breakthrough instruments and accessories for next-generation surgical robotics. We’re seeking a Staff Mechanical Engineer to own mechanical engineering for novel surgical robotic products in an exciting new clinical application.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Design and own the end-to-end development of groundbreaking surgical robotic systems — from concept and prototyping through manufacturing and commercialization

• Own and drive development workstreams, leading a cross-functional team to alignment on technical specifications for key platform subsystems

• Collaborate with other engineering disciplines (software, electrical, clinical, manufacturing)

• Make decisions based on risk assessments, industry standards, and regulatory frameworks

• Perform technical design reviews to solicit feedback on design progress, and regularly review designs of other team members to provide timely and useful engineering guidance

• Create and maintain SolidWorks CAD databases, including assemblies, components, and detailed drawings

• Observe clinical cases and participate in collaboration sessions with clinical experts to inform designs

• Provide support for pre-clinical and clinical labs

What You Bring:

• BS, MS, or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering or scientific discipline, or equivalent work experience

• Typical minimum 12 years of relevant experience (Medical device and robotics experience preferred)

• Demonstrated ability to work in cross-functional research and development teams

• Proficiency using CAD to design and document mechanisms (SolidWorks preferred)

• Demonstrated ability to design for manufacturing and assembly (DFx)

• Able to independently assess complex problems and situations to move projects forward

• Able to coordinate activities within organizations to drive deliverables

• Excellent documentation and communication skills

• Experience with design standards (ex. FDA QSR 21 CFR Part 820, ISO 13485, IEC 60601)

• Experience with GD&T and other related ASME/ISO drafting standards

• Familiar with all phases of the product development lifecycle including design verification, design validation, and design transfer

• Familiar with Product Lifecycle Management documentation control systems

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.