Mechanical Engineer, Instruments Design Team, Future Forward

Intuitive; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 136,100 - 195,900; Full time

Job summary

Intuitive Surgical in Sunnyvale, CA, is seeking a hands‑on Mechanical Engineer focused on robotic instrument design for early‑phase development. You will join a small, innovative team, tackling complex mechanical, materials, and manufacturing challenges to advance minimally invasive robotic systems.

You will collaborate across disciplines, create CAD models and fixtures, document tests, and contribute to prototype quality and regulatory readiness.

Qualifications

• Experience in cross‑functional R&D teams.
• Solid experience with metals/plastics and fabrication processes.
• Familiar with design lifecycle: design to transfer.
• Proficient CAD documentation; SolidWorks preferred.
• Knowledge of ASME/ISO drafting standards.
• Understanding manufacturing processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to travel up to 10%.

Responsibilities

• Work in cross‑functional teams to design mechanical subsystems for a novel robotic platform.
• Design and document components and assemblies for instruments and accessories.
• Develop and troubleshoot testing fixtures and methods.
• Create manufacturing fixtures and instructions.
• Analyze prototypes, test results, and implement design changes.
• Prepare protocols, reports, and design presentations.
• Collaborate with software, electrical, clinical, and manufacturing colleagues.
• Maintain SolidWorks databases and detailed drawings.
• Observe clinical cases to inform designs with clinicians.
• Support pre‑clinical and clinical labs.
• Assist with patent documentation.

Skills

Cross-functional teams

Metals

Plastics

Welding

Extrusions

Testing

Process equipment

Adhesives

Disposable medical products

SolidWorks CAD

CAD (SolidWorks)

ASME/ISO drafting

Manufacturing processes

Written communication

Travel up to 10%

Education

BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Systems Engineering or related field

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Mechanical Engineer, Instruments Design Team, Future Forward

Intuitive |

Full-time

Sunnyvale

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 are 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

The Future Forward group within Intuitive Surgical is searching for a hands‑on mechanical engineer with a focus on the mechanical design of robotic instruments, contributing to the exploration of a novel system concept for a new application of surgical robotics. This role is an exciting opportunity to join a small and innovative team in the early phases of product development.

Joining Intuitive Surgical means joining a team dedicated to using technology to benefit patients by improving surgical efficacy and decreasing surgical invasiveness, with patient outcomes as our highest priority. The Mechanical Engineer will focus on the development of robotic surgical instruments for minimally invasive surgical applications. The successful candidate will have both the technical depth to resolve complex mechanical, materials, and manufacturing design issues, and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary team to troubleshoot to root cause higher level system issues. They must excel in a high‑energy, focused, small‑team environment, and have a commitment to high quality prototypes and concepts and a demonstrated record of developing creative and innovative engineering solutions. A strong sense of shared responsibility and shared reward is required as well as a commitment to high product quality.

Roles And Responsibilities

• Work in a cross‑functional project team to design and develop complex mechanical subsystems within a novel robotic platform, including design and procurement of components, prototype assembly and builds, and design and development of testing and assembly fixtures and methods
• Design and document components and assemblies for instruments and accessories for robotic surgical systems
• Design, develop and troubleshoot testing fixtures and test methods
• Design and develop manufacturing fixtures and manufacturing instructions
• Analyze and test product prototype designs, critically analyze results, and make design changes or recommendations to the design team
• Provide written protocols, reports, and presentations related to design activities on an ongoing basis
• Collaborate with other engineering disciplines (software, electrical, clinical, and manufacturing) on the design of robotic surgical instruments and related systems
• Create and maintain SolidWorks CAD databases, including assemblies, components, and detailed drawings
• Observe clinical cases and interface with clinical experts to inform designs and identify user needs
• Document, prepare, and review patent submissions
• Provide support for pre‑clinical and clinical labs

Qualifications

Required Skills and Experience:

• Demonstrated ability to work in cross‑functional research and development teams
• Experience with multiple of the following: metals, plastics, welding, plastics molding, extrusions, testing, process equipment, adhesives, and/or disposable medical products
• Familiarity with multiple phases of the product development lifecycle including design, implementation, debug, verification, qualification, and transfer; experience with all is preferred
• Proficiency using CAD to design and document mechanisms; SolidWorks preferred
• Experience with ASME and/or ISO drafting standards
• Knowledge of component manufacturing processes
• Excellent written and communication skills
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time

Required Education And Training

• BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Systems Engineering or related engineering or scientific discipline, or equivalent work experience
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience

Skills/Job Preferences

• Experience with design standards (FDA QSR 21 CFR Part 820, ISO 13485, IEC 60601 preferred)
• Robotics experience preferred
• Experience with GD&T preferred

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.

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.

Export Control

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 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 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.

Compensation

Base Salary Range Region 1: $136,100 – $195,900

Base Salary Range Region 2: $115,700 – $166,500

Shift: Day

Workplace Type: Onsite – This job is fully onsite.