Senior FPGA Engineer - Surgical Robotics

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 179,000 - 257,000; Full time

Job summary

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. in Sunnyvale is seeking a Senior FPGA Engineer to develop and support innovative surgical devices for the da Vinci system.

You will create complex FPGA solutions across video, communications, and control processing, aligned with user needs and regulatory requirements. The role emphasizes Verilog proficiency, FPGA architecture expertise, and hands-on design across Xilinx families, with collaboration across cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality medical devices

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years of experience designing electronic devices with FPGA's and a Bachelor's degree; or 6 years of experience and a Master's degree; or a PhD with 3 years of experience; or equivalent experience.
• Proficiency with Verilog for both synthesis and verification.
• Proficiency in FPGA design or front-end IC design.
• Experience working with Xilinx FPGA families such as: Spartan, Artix, Virtex, Kintex, UltraScale and Ultrascale+ MPSoC.
• Experience with Xilinx FPGA design tools (such as ISE, Vivado, ModelSim, TCL scripting, Chipscope/Integrated Logic Analyzer (ILA), Microblaze compiler, etc.).
• In-depth knowledge of FPGA architecture, design, verification, and debug (Xilinx).

Responsibilities

• FPGA implementations of one or more of the following: video signal processing, DMA, high-speed communications, sensor integration, motor control, and integration of modern embedded computing modules.
• Develop all FPGA RTL in Verilog and System Verilog.
• Integrate, debug and support the product after launch.
• Write detailed design documentation, including specifications and verification protocols.
• Serve as lead technical designer on cross-functional project teams to develop new world-class surgical devices and accessories.
• Collaborate and support the quality and regulatory processes.

Skills

Verilog

FPGA design

Xilinx FPGA families

FPGA architecture

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Tools

Vivado

ModelSim

Chipscope/ILA

TCL scripting

MicroBlaze compiler

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.

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 Senior FPGA Engineer will develop and support innovative surgical devices and accessories for the da Vinci Surgical System, from concept to launch and beyond, with shared responsibility and shared reward. The successful candidate will understand user needs and requirements, balance individual product-level requirements with system-level requirements, developing complex FPGA solutions for communications, video, control processing and other advanced capabilities, and commit to the highest product quality.

Roles & Responsibilities

• FPGA implementations of one or more of the following: video signal processing, DMA, high-speed communications, sensor integration, motor control, and integration of modern embedded computing modules.
• Develop all FPGA RTL in Verilog and System Verilog.
• Integrate, debug and support the product after launch.
• Write detailed design documentation, including specifications and verification protocols.
• Serve as lead technical designer on cross-functional project teams to develop new world-class surgical devices and accessories.
• Collaborate and support the quality and regulatory processes.

Qualifications

Required Education, Skills & Experience

• Minimum of 8 years of experience designing electronic devices with FPGA's and a Bachelor's degree; or 6 years of experience and a Master's degree; or a PhD with 3 years of experience; or equivalent experience
• Proficiency with Verilog for both synthesis and verification
• Proficiency in FPGA design or front-end IC design
• Experience working with Xilinx FPGA families such as: Spartan, Artix, Virtex, Kintex, UltraScale and Ultrascale+ MPSoC
• Experience with Xilinx FPGA design tools (such as ISE, Vivado, ModelSim, TCL scripting, Chipscope/Integrated Logic Analyzer (ILA), Microblaze compiler, etc.)
• In-depth knowledge of FPGA architecture, design, verification, and debug (Xilinx)

Desired Skills & Experience

• Experience with SoC including (e.g., Zynq with ARM cores) and soft processors (e.g. MicroBlaze) is desirable
• Experience with Gigabit ethernet, DDR3/DD4, DSP implementations on FPGAs
• Effectively use of troubleshooting and measurement equipment like oscilloscopes, multimeters, function generators, custom test platforms, spectrum analyzer, etc.
• Extensive experience working at all phases of the product lifecycle, from concept to continuous improvement (sustaining)

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

Base Compensation Range Region 1: $178,800 USD - $257,200 USD

Base Compensation Range Region 2

Base Compensation Range Region 2: $152,000 USD - $218,600 USD

Shift

Shift: Day

Workplace Type

Workplace Type: Onsite - This job is fully onsite.