Manager, Systems Analysis (Robotic Algorithms and Control)

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 169,000 - 287,000; Full time

Job summary

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. is seeking a Systems Analyst (Robotic Control Engineer) to design, develop, and support next‑gen surgical robots and related instruments.

You will own tele-robotic motion and force control, safety algorithms, and cross‑functional integration across electrical, mechanical, software, and UI domains. You will lead a team, provide early design input, and help ensure high quality, reliable systems as products ship to customers worldwide.

Qualifications

• Masters in robotics-related engineering with 6 years of mechatronic control experience, or a PhD with 3 years.
• Minimum 1 year of people management experience, or minimum 3 years of cross-functional technical leadership in a Systems Analyst or equivalent role.
• Familiarity with design control processes and medical device standards such as ISO 13485, IEC 60601, IEC 62304.
• Strong embedded C programming capabilities and electromechanical/software integration skills.
• Experience with classical and modern servo control systems.
• Excellent communication skills and a passion for product quality and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Systems Analysts toward successful product implementations with best-in-class solutions.
• Analyze electromechanical architectures across the design life cycle.
• Facilitate integration of prototypes and full robotic systems, manipulators, instruments, and endoscopes.
• Assess dynamic safety and clinical risk in complex devices.
• Implement safety monitoring algorithms based on physics and risk analysis.
• Contribute to design reviews, documentation, and verification activities.
• Document and pursue intellectual property and communicate decisions to engineering teams.
• Improve cross-functional workflows through tool building and mentoring.

Skills

Robotics control

Embedded C

System leadership

Safety algorithms

Cross-functional

Design control

Validation

Education

Masters in robotics engineering

PhD in robotics engineering

Job description

Company Description

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 solved 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.

Job Description

Primary Function of Position:

Systems Analysts (Robotic Control Engineers) at Intuitive Surgical perform a central role in the design, development, and support of new products in the daVinci Surgery product lines. Systems Analysts are primarily responsible for the tele-robotic motion & force control algorithms, robotic manipulator control, and safety algorithms for new surgical robots, instruments, accessories, and endoscopes. This responsibility crosses into electrical, mechanical, software, control, user interface, and safety engineering where all the subsystems are integrated together. Systems Analysts strive to provide early design input, quickly prove out new designs, and seek out solutions to subtle and challenging problems in system integration, system safety, and motion & force control. Responsibilities continue until the products are shipping to customers with the highest quality and reliability. The Manager of a System Analysis team establishes the individual responsibility within their team, towards projects needing motion & force control algorithms and safety systems. They are responsible for tactical milestones for the projects their team supports. They advise senior management on the technical strategy for a product or a platform project. They maintain active liaison with other Systems Analysis teams, software & hardware teams, manufacturing teams, and user facing & clinical engineering teams, to enable cohesion of design inputs, design architecture, specifications, and verification. They are expected to hire, coach, and retain Systems Analysis talent within their group.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Lead a team of Systems Analysts towards successful accomplishment of product implementation with best in class solutions and architectures
• Provide in-depth analysis and characterization of electromechanical architectures during the entire design life cycle.
• Facilitate mechanical, electrical, and software integration of new prototypes and new products including complete robotic systems, manipulators, instruments, accessories, and endoscopes
• Analyze complex electro-mechanical devices for dynamic safety and clinical risk
• Implement safety monitoring algorithms based on sound physics and risk analysis
• Participate in clinical observations and experiments to ensure that performance requirements are relevant and realistic
• Adhere to, and contribute to, design control processes, including design reviews, presentations, documentation, and verification and validation testing activities
• Document and pursue intellectual property
• Communicate system architectural choices to the cross functional engineering team
• Improve cross functional workflow and interaction through tool building and teaching others

Qualifications

Skills, Experience, Education, & Training:

• Masters in robotics related engineering field, with a minimum 6 years of experience in control of mechatronic systems, or Ph.D. with 3 years of experience in control of mechatronic systems.
• Minimum 1 year of people management experience, or minimum 3 years of cross-functional technical leadership in a Systems Analyst or equivalent role.
• Familiarity with design control processes. Prior experience in product development under medical device standards (such as ISO 13485, IEC 60601, and IEC 62304), is a plus.
• Strong embedded C programming capabilities as well as electromechanical and software integration skills.
• Understanding of, and experience in, implementing classical and modern servo control systems.
• Strong engineering intuition for mechatronic systems, combined with detailed and data-oriented approach, to develop and push designs to completion.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to facilitate robust decisions.
• Passion for product quality and continuous improvements across multiple functions.

Additional Information

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.

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.

Accommodation & Accessibility Notice

Intuitive is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require assistance or an accommodation during any part of the application or interview process, please contact People Services at (email protected) .

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.

Base Compensation Range Region 1: $199,300 USD - $286,700 USD

Base Compensation Range Region 2: $169,400 USD - $243,700 USD

Shift: Day

Travel: None

Workplace Type: Set Schedule - This job will be onsite weekly, the percentage of onsite work will be defined by the leader.