Mechanical Engineer, Flexible Instruments

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.; Sunnyvale (CA); Hybrid; USD 136,000 - 196,000; Full time

Job summary

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. is seeking a Mechanical Engineer for Advanced Energy in Sunnyvale to drive the mechanical/electrical design of catheters and instruments. You will contribute to a novel surgical robotics concept, solve design and manufacturing challenges, and support the team with prototypes and tests.

You’ll work in a high-energy, small-team environment, collaborating with clinicians and engineers to deliver high-quality solutions and robust documentation under GMP-like standards.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years experience with Bachelor's degree; 3 years with a Master's.
• Ability to work in cross-functional R&D teams.
• Familiarity with FDA QSR 21 CFR Part 820, ISO 13485, ISO 14971.
• Experience with rapid prototyping for instruments and fixtures including 3D printing and machining.
• Experience with flexible catheter design and related fabrication methods.
• Solid CAD-based design skills (SolidWorks preferred).
• Experience working with suppliers and external partners.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; good communication.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and verify concepts for advanced energy catheters and instruments.
• Develop, test and document solutions per standards and SOPs with engineering guidance.
• Assemble and test devices for proof of concept, development, pre-clinical and V&V activities; report findings.
• Investigate defects and determine root causes.
• Create design and manufacturing docs including procedures, BOMs and drawings with change control.
• Collaborate with clinical engineering to assess concepts and perform tradeoff analyses.
• Observe clinical cases and support pre-clinical labs and cases.
• Set goals aligned with project objectives; contribute to team success.
• Perform other duties to support company strategy.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory knowledge (FDA QSR, ISO 134

Education

BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering or related

Tools

SolidWorks

3D printing

Machining

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 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.

The Future Forward organization is Intuitive’s advanced concepts group. We explore emerging technologies, prototype next‑generation solutions, and build software experiences that shape the future of robotic‑assisted surgery.

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

The Mechanical Engineer, Advanced Energy, is responsible for the technical development of advanced energy products at Intuitive. Their focus will be on the mechanical/electrical design of advanced energy catheters and instruments, contributing to the exploration of a novel system concept for a new application of surgical robotics. They will be a member of the team supporting innovative technology development and commercialization. They will apply strong mechanical design fundamentals to address design, material, and manufacturing challenges at the component and subsystem level, with guidance from more experienced engineers on team. They will contribute to troubleshooting and root cause analysis efforts, developing their ability to work across disciplines. They must excel in a high-energy, focused, small‑team environment, and have a commitment to high quality prototypes and concepts. A strong sense of shared responsibility and shared reward is required as well as a commitment to high product quality.

Essential Job Duties

• Work in a small, cross-functional project team to design, develop and verify new concepts for advanced energy catheters and/or flexible electromechanical instruments and related accessories (e.g. medical cables)
• Develop, implement, test and document new solutions, processes, and designs according to corporate standards and departmental operating procedures, with guidance from senior engineers
• Perform hands‑on assembly and testing of devices to support proof of concept, design development, pre‑clinical and V&V activities; proactively communicating findings and flag issues to immediate team
• Support investigation and determine root cause of emerging design or manufacturing defects/failures.
• Development and documentation of design and manufacturing documentation including inspection procedures, assembly instructions, test methods, purchase specifications, BOMs, part and assembly drawings using appropriate change control procedures
• Collaborate with clinical engineering team to assess product concepts and support tradeoff analysis of proposed designs and feature sets
• Observe clinical cases and participate in interviews with clinical experts to inform designs; provide support for pre‑clinical labs and clinical cases
• Establish individual goals consistent with overall project goals
• Performs other duties as required to support the company’s overall strategy and goals

Qualifications

Required Skills and Experience

• Typical minimum of 5 years of relevant experience with Bachelors, minimum 3 years with a Masters
• Demonstrated ability to work in cross-functional research and development teams
• Familiarity with FDA QSR 21 CFR Part 820, ISO 13485, ISO 14971
• Experience with rapid prototyping methods for instruments, components, and fixtures, including 3D printing and machining of plastics and metals
• Experience/exposure to flexible catheter design, including material selection and common fabrication methods to at least few of the following areas: polymer processing, reinforcement structures, adhesive/thermal/mechanical joining, electromechanical integration etc.)
• Proficiency in CAD‑based mechanical design (SolidWorks preferred)
• Experience working with suppliers
• Ability to work independently under limited supervision while knowing when to elevate
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Effective written and verbal communication

Required Education and Training

• Minimum education: BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Biomedical Engineering or related engineering or scientific discipline, or equivalent work experience

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with flexible electromechanical device development is a strong plus
• Experience with energy delivery devices is a plus

Working Conditions

• Must be available to work full‑time and commute/relocate to Sunnyvale, CA
• Up to 10% travel. Some international travel may be required.

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: $136,100 USD - $195,900 USD

Base Compensation Range Region 2: $115,700 USD - $166,500 USD

Shift: Day

Workplace Type: Onsite - This job is fully onsite.