Senior Thermal Design Engineer — Robotics & Medical Devices

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 163,000; Full time

Job summary

Intuitive Surgical in Sunnyvale, CA is seeking a Senior Thermal Design Engineer to conceptualize, develop and verify mechanical designs for robotic systems. You will lead system thermal design, analysis and testing, and collaborate with vendors, suppliers and manufacturing to deliver high-quality hardware prototypes.

The role requires hands-on prototyping, GD&T expertise, and strong MATLAB/Python skills, with mentoring responsibilities and the ability to work in a focused, high-energy team.

Qualifications

• Experience/ownership with product development lifecycle phases including design, analysis, debug, verification, transfer to manufacturing, and sustainment
• Background in thermal system architecture, design and analysis including associated simulation environments
• Technical expertise with one or more of the following: mechanism design, servo motors, brakes, encoders, harmonic drives and alternatives, sensors, robotics
• Analysis potentially including statics, dynamics, kinematics, stress, fatigue and reliability
• Design, analyze and document components, structures, and mechanical assemblies in SolidWorks or similar CAD software
• Strong understanding of component or material selection criteria, and design for reliability and manufacturability
• Demonstrated knowledge of a wide variety of component manufacturing processes
• Proficient in GD&T and tolerance stack analysis
• Strong hands-on prototyping skills such as 3D Printing and machine shop equipment
• Designing and executing experiments on strength or function
• Capable of using MATLAB to create or modify test scripts and system software
• Demonstrated excitement to learn and quickly analyze tough technical problems, thinking creatively and fundamentally about the solution
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally
• Self-driven with the ability to excel in a high-energy, small, focused team environment, to maintain a strong sense of shared responsibility and reward
• Ability to lead and mentor other engineers

Responsibilities

• System thermal design, analysis and testing
• Influencing assembly architecture and designing mechanical assemblies, with careful consideration for kinematics, drivetrain components, servo motors, sensors, safety mechanisms, and failure contingencies
• Rapid development and iteration of full-scale prototypes of candidate architectures and mechanism designs to satisfy requirements
• Create product functional requirements and design specifications, authoring concept and design documentation for a regulatory controlled environment
• Designing for reliability, cost and manufacturability
• Developing and performing component verification testing and product validation testing
• Supporting final product delivery by troubleshooting process, component and system issues.
• Collaborating with vendors, suppliers and manufacturing in the prototype and design-transfer phase.
• Providing technical guidance and mentorship for team members.

Skills

Thermal design

Robotics

GD&T

SolidWorks

MATLAB

Prototyping

Python

Education

MS Mechanical Engineering

Surgical or medical device experience

Tools

ANSYS

MATLAB

PYTHON

Job description

Intuitive Surgical in Sunnyvale, CA is seeking a Senior Thermal Design Engineer to conceptualize, develop and verify mechanical designs for robotic systems. You will lead system thermal design, analysis and testing, and collaborate with vendors, suppliers and manufacturing to deliver high-quality hardware prototypes.

The role requires hands-on prototyping, GD&T expertise, and strong MATLAB/Python skills, with mentoring responsibilities and the ability to work in a focused, high-energy team.