Product Development Engineering Intern

Intuitive; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 43,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing allowance

Job summary

Intuitive is seeking a Product Development Engineering Intern to assist in design and development projects for training models. You will gain hands-on experience with prototyping, testing, and agile workflows while contributing to practical solutions for customers.

This full-time, 10-12 week internship runs onsite in Durham, NC. Candidates must be enrolled in a Mechanical or Biomedical engineering program and available May/June, with ability to lift up to 20 lbs and work around lab environments.

Qualifications

• Must be currently enrolled in an accredited engineering program and returning to it after the internship.
• Internship runs full-time for 10–12 weeks starting May or June.
• Bachelor’s level Mechanical or Biomedical engineering program required.

Responsibilities

• Assist design and development projects for training models to improve realism and usability.
• Build prototypes and conduct tests to verify product requirements.
• Create design documentation including test protocols and reports.
• Communicate and collaborate cross-functionally to keep projects moving forward.

Skills

Problem solving

Reverse engineering

3D CAD modeling

3D printing

Animal tissue handling

Education

Bachelor’s level Mechanical or Biomedical engineering

Tools

Solidworks

Job description

• Ways of Working: Onsite - This job is fully onsite.
• Employee Type: Intern (Fixed Term)
• Min. Salary Region 1: 37 USD
• Global Job Level (HCM): Professional 1 (5)
• Min. Salary Region 2: 31 USD

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

Product Development Engineering Intern will assist in design and development projects for Intuitive training models. Candidates should have experience with hands‑on problem solving, prototyping and testing. This position requires an agile‑minded, motivated individual to help identify practical solutions and provide the highest quality and realistic training experience for Intuitive customers.

• Support product development projects and design changes for improved user experience, training effectiveness and realism, manufacturability, reliability and cost.
• Build prototypes and conduct testing to verify product requirements are met and evaluate product performance.
• Assist in creating design documentation including test protocols and reports, and manufacturing process instructions.
• Communicate and collaborate cross‑functionally to keep projects moving forward and provide updates

Qualifications

Required Skills and Experience

• Problem solving and reverse engineering
• Familiarity with 3D CAD modeling (Solidworks preferred) and 3D printing
• Comfortable working with animal tissues and knowledge of basic anatomy

University Hiring Program Eligibility Requirements:

• University Enrollment: Must be currently enrolled in and returning to an accredited degree‑seeking academic program after the internship.
• Internship Work Period: Must be available to work full‑time (approximately 40 hours per week) during a 10-12 week period starting May or June. Specific start dates are shared during the recruiting process.

Required Education and Training

• Current enrollment in a Mechanical, Biomedical, or related engineering degree‑seeking program at the Bachelor’s level.

Working Conditions

• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Basic lab experience
• Familiar with product development life cycle
• Design of components

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.

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 employeeswho 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 (i)i) 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’sstart 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.

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 (paid at an hourly rate), benefits, and a housing allowance. 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 relevant skills and experience for this internship, degree‑seeking academic program (PhD, Master’s, Bachelor’s, etc), year in school, and location. The hourly rate is prorated against the intern program salaries listed and total program compensation will be based on internship duration.