Senior Human Factors Design Engineer – Robotics & UI

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 290,000; Full time

Job summary

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. is seeking a Senior Human Factors Design Engineer (HFDE) to maximize usability and safety across robotic systems, instruments, and accessories.

You will partner with product managers, clinicians, engineers, regulatory, and quality teams to translate formative research into actionable user and interface requirements. The role emphasizes de-risking design, conducting formative studies, prototype evaluation, and delivering design controls compliant with medical device

Qualifications

• 8–15 years of industry experience.
• Excellent technical communication skills (verbal, written, and presentations) and business acumen.
• Ability to translate complex information into clear stakeholder communications.
• Knowledge in robotic systems including design, sensing, control, software, and human-robot interaction.
• Ability to collaborate across engineering, marketing, clinical, and regulatory groups.
• Apply user-centered design and usability engineering principles to research and product development.

Responsibilities

• Apply deep expertise in robotics, HRI, HMI, and mixed-methods research to identify unmet user needs and opportunities.
• Represent Intuitive during formative research with clinicians and customers across global markets.
• Independently generate, prioritize, and communicate actionable design insights that shape product strategy.
• De-risk design strategies focused on analysis of human performance, workflow, and usability.
• Serve as the human factors lead for complex development initiatives, collaborating with engineering, clinical, product, quality, and regulatory teams.
• Influence product and business decisions by balancing user needs, safety, usability, and feasibility.
• Lead the definition and management of usability design inputs across robotic systems and accessories.
• Develop and evaluate conceptual prototypes that communicate design strategies and future concepts.
• Champion safety, usability, and user experience through risk-benefit analyses and human-centered design.
• Author and maintain HF deliverables ensuring compliance with design controls and regulatory requirements; mentor peers.

Skills

Robotics

Human-Robot Interaction (HRI)

Human-Machine Interaction (HMI)

Communication skills

Usability engineering

Education

BS or MS in Human Factors Engineering, Cognitive Psychology, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, HCI, or related field

Job description

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. is seeking a Senior Human Factors Design Engineer (HFDE) to maximize usability and safety across robotic systems, instruments, and accessories.

You will partner with product managers, clinicians, engineers, regulatory, and quality teams to translate formative research into actionable user and interface requirements. The role emphasizes de-risking design, conducting formative studies, prototype evaluation, and delivering design controls compliant with medical device