Senior Supplier Engineer — Design-to-Launch Sourcing

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 161,000 - 231,000; Full time

Job summary

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. in Sunnyvale, CA, seeks a Lead Supplier Engineer to influence design architecture and component specs from prototype to production, ensuring cost targets and manufacturability.

You will collaborate with design and quality teams to drive DFMs, supplier qualification, and ramp readiness, while tracking metrics across the supply base. This role emphasizes supplier collaboration, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement in a fast-paced robotics environment, with a focus

Qualifications

• Broad knowledge of electronics, motors, cable assemblies and PCBA manufacturing processes.
• Understanding of metal fabrication, plastics injection molding, extrusions, and contract manufacturing.
• Ability to work with design engineers and assess supplier capability during design iterations.
• Experience evaluating supplier capabilities and driving improvements in quality and cost.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with presentations to executives.
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with good judgment.
• Advanced computer skills: Windows, Word, Excel, Access and ERP systems (prefer SAP).
• Ability to read and interpret detailed mechanical drawings and communicate technical information.

Responsibilities

• Partner with design engineering to translate design intent into component design and clear specs.
• Influence component technology choices to meet short- and long-term needs, cost, and preferred suppliers.
• Collaborate with Quality and Design Engineering to support dFMEA and risk mitigations.
• Lead Design-For-Manufacturing activities to ensure scalable manufacturing processes.
• Develop test methods and acceptance criteria for supplied parts.
• Optimize supplier base to reduce risk from sub-tiers and long lead times.
• Determine risk mitigations for high-risk parts or sole suppliers.
• Lead supplier qualification activities: pFMEA, special processes, FAI, CPA, and training.
• Develop ramp readiness plans using forecast, capacity, quality, and process capability.
• Drive corrective actions using root cause analysis and 8D-like actions.
• Create metrics for cost, delivery, quality, and capacity to guide interventions.

Skills

Electronics & motors

Motor controls

Cable assemblies

PCBA manufacturing

DFM & cost modeling

Communication

Teamwork

Analytical thinking

SAP proficiency

Education

BS degree in Engineering

8+ years related experience

Tools

SAP

Job description

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. in Sunnyvale, CA, seeks a Lead Supplier Engineer to influence design architecture and component specs from prototype to production, ensuring cost targets and manufacturability.

You will collaborate with design and quality teams to drive DFMs, supplier qualification, and ramp readiness, while tracking metrics across the supply base. This role emphasizes supplier collaboration, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement in a fast-paced robotics environment, with a focus