Scientific Research Program Manager

Intuitive; Sunnyvale (CA); Remote; USD 132,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

Intuitive is seeking a Scientific Research Program Manager for the da Vinci Cardiac Surgery Program. You will lead evidence-generation strategy, oversee studies, and collaborate with internal teams and external partners to demonstrate performance and impact of Intuitive's platforms in the U.S. and worldwide.

You will manage study lifecycles, budgets, and regulatory submissions, while ensuring compliance with GCP and other guidelines. Travel 25–50% may be required.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years in a clinical affairs or scientific research role with full project management responsibility.
• Knowledge of GCP, ISO 14155, MEDDEV, MDR, and data protection requirements.
• Experience developing research protocols and case report forms (CRFs).
• Strong organizational skills with multiple projects across surgical disciplines/products.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills; English proficiency required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the development of the evidence-generation strategy for the Cardiac Surgery Program.
• Manage a portfolio of internal and external studies and evidence-generation activities.
• Coordinate study lifecycle activities: development, budgeting, investigator selection, recruitment planning, and documentation.
• Ensure regulatory submissions and ethics approvals are completed successfully.
• Collaborate with data management and statisticians; maintain study documentation and timelines.
• Lead publication development and responses to peer review; maintain audit readiness and regulatory compliance.
• Manage CROs and external partners; oversee contracts/SOWs and stakeholder communications.

Skills

Project management

Clinical research

GCP & regulatory

CRFs development

Data analysis

Communication

CRO management

Education

Bachelor's degree in life sciences or related field

Job description

• Ways of Working: Remote - This job will be remote and/or the job is designed to be performed outside of the office. Employees will come onsite when requested by the leader.
• Employee Type: Employee
• Min. Salary Region 1: 155300 USD
• Global Job Level (HCM): Professional 3 (9)
• Min. Salary Region 2: 132000 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

The purpose of this role is to serve as a Scientific Research Program Manager (SRPM) for the da Vinci Cardiac Surgery Program. The SRPM, Cardiac surgery will oversee the development of evidence-generation strategy for the Cardiac Surgery Program and support research projects to demonstrate the performance and impact of Intuitive Surgical's da Vinci platforms, products, and services within the United States and globally. This role oversees the initiation, progress, and conduct of evidence-generation studies, including those conducted by internal scientific teams, Intuitive-sponsored studies, and studies conducted in collaboration with external research partners. The SRPM serves as a key contact for internal and external parties involved in assigned projects.

Collaborate with Cardiac Surgery Program leaders and cross-functional evidence stakeholders to identify evidence gaps, align on evidence priorities, and develop evidence-generation plans

Manage and execute a portfolio of internal and external collaborative research studies and evidence-generation activities for Intuitive Surgical's da Vinci platforms, products, and services, with support from research coordinators as applicable.

Manage research studies across the study lifecycle, including project development, budgeting, investigator selection, analysis of potential participant recruitment, preparation of study-related documents (e.g., protocols, case report forms, informed consents, research agreements), and management of Institutional Review Board and/or Ethics Committee submissions through successful outcome.

Collaborate with data management professionals and statisticians as needed; maintain required study documentation; and plan and manage project timelines and budgets to support timely execution.

Proactively identify and communicate project concerns, issues, and delays; develop risk assessments and contingency plans; and prepare project status updates, presentations, and reports for internal and external stakeholders and steering or advisory committees.

Manage publication development, submission, and responses to peer review related to research studies.

Ensure compliance with corporate requirements (e.g., SOPs) and applicable regulatory requirements (e.g., GCP and U.S. and international guidelines), and maintain audit readiness to relevant regulatory and legal standards.

Manage Contract Research Organizations (CROs) and independent research service providers, including partner identification, contract or statement-of-work development, and stakeholder management; facilitate meetings and reporting in accordance with Intuitive Surgical policies; and support review and development of internal research processes (e.g., SOPs).

Build, nurture, and maintain relationships with external research partners and stakeholders, including surgeon key opinion leaders, operating room staff, hospital and health system administrative and technology leaders, surgical and scientific professional society leaders, and healthcare technology industry partners.

Qualifications

Required Skills and Experience

At least five years of experience in an academic setting or healthcare technology industry in a clinical affairs or scientific research function, with evidence of full project management responsibility; industry research management experience preferred.

Knowledge of applicable clinical research and medical device regulations and guidelines, including GCP, ISO 14155, MEDDEV, MDR, and data protection requirements.

Experience developing research protocols and case report forms (CRFs).

Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects with competing priorities, including a minimum of three to five research projects across different surgical disciplines and/or products.

Strong communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills, with the ability to manage work autonomously and collaborate across teams while maintaining open communication with key stakeholders.

Strong quantitative and literature analysis skills, with the ability to assess data and scientific literature and review data sets for data quality.

Ability to manage CROs, external consultants, research coordinators, or other research staff in the execution of research studies.

Strong problem-solving skills and initiative; English-language proficiency required.

Required Education and Training

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in life sciences, medicine, medical sciences, engineering, computer science, data science, or a related field.

Working Conditions

Work may require presence in hospital and surgical/operating room environments. Ability to travel 25%-50% of the time.

Preferred Skills and Experience

Graduate degree in life sciences, medicine, medical sciences, engineering, computer science, data science, or a related field.

Five years of experience in the management of research, including clinical research management experience in both academic/hospital and industry settings.

Experience with studies of health information technologies, including artificial intelligence.

Experience publishing research in an academic or industry capacity.

Proficiency in a second language.

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 (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’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.

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
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 [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.

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