Mechanical Design Engineer

Intuitive; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 136,000 - 196,000; Full time

Job summary

Intuitive Surgical, a global leader in robotic-assisted surgery, seeks a Mechanical Engineer to advance design, analysis, and integration of the da Vinci surgical system. You will work with multidisciplinary teams to improve performance, cost, and reliability of complex robotic assemblies used in minimally invasive care.

The role covers the full product lifecycle from concept through manufacturing transfer, requiring strong problem-solving, communication, and collaboration with clinical,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics or equivalent with 5 years related experience (or 3 years with a Master's or PhD).
• Proficiency in CAD (SolidWorks preferred) with GD&T and functional dimensioning.
• Robot or mechanical systems design experience; surgical product experience is a plus.
• Strong failure analysis skills.
• Experience across the product development lifecycle from design to manufacturing transfer.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and verify new robotic mechanisms.
• Identify root causes of design, manufacturing, or material defects.
• Develop and implement design solutions for improved performance.
• Run analyses (tolerance, process, FEA) to ensure fit and function.
• Document and verify designs; lead implementation of solutions.

Skills

CAD (SolidWorks)

GD&T

Mechanical design

Failure analysis

FEM/FEA

Product development

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics or equivalent

Master's or PhD (advantage)

Tools

MATLAB

Python

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

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 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.

Job Description

Primary Function of Position

Intuitive designs and manufactures highly complex robotic systems for use in minimally invasive surgical applications. Our da Vinci® Surgical Systems design engineering team is committed to utilizing cutting-edge research and technology to develop innovative solutions for our current and next generation surgical robot systems.

In this role, the Mechanical Engineer will be working with multi-disciplinary teams to maintain and improve the design, production, and service of the da Vinci® Surgical System. The ideal candidate will investigate complex problems with electro-mechanical components, manufacturing process, and system performance. They will identify mechanical design and manufacturing process solutions to improve performance, cost, and reliability. They will also perform the development, documentation, verification, and implementation of these solutions.

Essential Job Duties

• Collaborate with cross-functional project teams to design, develop, and verify new product design or modifications to robotic or other complex mechanisms.
• Investigate and determine root cause of both latent and emerging design, manufacturing, or material defects.
• Develop, design, test, document, and implement solutions to the root causes identified for improved performance and reliability.
• Perform various types of detailed engineering analyses (tolerance stack, process simulation, structural FEA) to ensure fit/form/function of complex tooled parts.
• Create formal documentation, perform verification testing, and lead implementation of design solutions.

Qualifications

Required Skills and Experience

• Self-driven with the ability to excel in a high-energy, small, focused team environment, to maintain a strong sense of shared responsibility and shared reward, and to make work fun and interesting.
• Proficiency in CAD (Solidworks preferred), including complex assemblies, GD&T, and functional dimensioning.
• Experience with machine design, preferably robot or mechanical systems design experience. Surgical product experience is a plus
• Proven proficiency at failure analysis
• Demonstrated mechanical design and analysis skills, including statics, dynamics, kinematics, strength of materials and stress analysis
• Comfortable with all phases of the product development lifecycle including design, implementation, debug, verification, qualification, and transfer to Manufacturing.
• Excellent communication (written, oral) and interpersonal skills, and ability to communicate effectively.

Required Education And Training

Minimum of 5 years related experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics or equivalent; or 3 years experience and a Master’s degree; or a PhD without experience

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Surgical or medical device product experience is a plus.
• Preferred to have demonstrated effective collaboration with cross-functional teams like system analysts, clinical, human factors, industrial design, interaction design, etc.
• Comfortable using Matlab, Python, or similar software
• Experience with designing hardware products in a regulated industry is desired; comfort with concepts of design input, design output, traceability, and risk analysis
• Regulatory agency experience including UL, CE, and FDA approval processes

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.

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 [e-mail].

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 Salary Range Region 1

$136,100 - $195,900

Base Salary Range Region 2

$115,700 - $166,500

Shift

Day

Workplace Type

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