Supplier Engineer Optics

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:

The mission of Supplier Engineering is to bring top quality components to our production lines by building a world-class supplier network that can ensure continuity of supply, growth to support our demand, achieve yearly cost reductions, and mitigate supply chain risks. The ideal candidate will apply their broad and deep hands-on experience in manufacturing and design of electro-optical components, supporting Multiport DaVinci Systems for both on-going sustaining and new product introduction efforts.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Work closely with product design, manufacturing, and project teams to resolve supplier quality issues and implement improvements to performance, quality, capacity, and cost. Mange project plans and timelines.

• Mange project plans and timelines. Communicate to stakeholders on status.

• Seek out new suppliers in support of product needs. Assess supplier capabilities and fit to Intuitive quality, business, and technical requirements.

• Develop suppliers to excel in all KPIs including Supplier Owned Quality, Capacity, and Sub-tier Management.

• Uses knowledge of electro-optical manufacturing to manage completion of part qualification deliverables: pFMEA, Special Process Validations, FAI, Cpk Studies, Capacity Studies, DfX, and cost analysis.

• Ensure compliance to quality management system and regulatory requirements by supporting onsite assessments and audits.

• Solve complex problems using structured problem-solving techniques.

• Apply improvements for supplier process issues by using true root cause analysis and corresponding corrective and preventive actions.

• Develop and execute supply chain strategy and optimizations

Skill/Job Requirements:

• BS degree in Engineering (EE, ME, Optics) or equivalent

• 5 years of related experience in Process/Manufacturing/Supplier Quality Engineering or related field

• Hands on experience with optical manufacturing processes preferred

• Hands on experience with complex display assembly and test preferred

• Advanced working knowledge of SPC and data analysis

• Experience leading teams to solve difficult technical and process problems

• Excellent Project Management, complex problem-solving skills, and written/verbal communication skills in English.

• Medical Device experience is a plus

• Ability to travel to suppliers (worldwide) as needed: 20-30

Intuitive is an Equal Employment 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.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws.

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. 

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.