Software Engineer, Manufacturing Automation & Test

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. in Sunnyvale, CA is seeking a software engineer to design, develop, and validate software for manufacturing robotic systems, instruments, and accessories.

You will collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and QA teams to ensure reliability and safety in production. The role emphasizes integration of software with hardware, adherence to SDLC, and the ability to work on complex, multidisciplinary projects in a regulated environment.

Qualifications

• Strong proficiency in modern programming languages, frameworks and tools (C#/Python is a plus).
• Solid understanding of OOP/OOD/Design Patterns/SW Architecture.
• Passionate about technologies and loves programming.
• Ability to map, design, develop, and test software from inception to launch.
• Experience in integrating software with hardware components such as PLCs, sensors, and robotics.
• Experience in driving, planning, executing, and delivering projects and communicating progress.
• Ability to learn and adapt to new technologies and methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement software solutions for equipment that builds and tests medical devices such as robotic systems, instruments and accessories.
• Build and maintain software infrastructures that enable value extraction from the data generated.
• Analyze and optimize manufacturing processes to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance productivity.
• Understand products' operations and controls, and ensure integrity in volume production.
• Document IQOQPQ and DQ validation activities on manufacturing equipment.
• Develop, document and follow good software development practices.
• Work independently to overcome roadblocks with minimal guidance.
• Take ownership of manufacturing software and drive cross-functional projects to completion.
• Support and enhance existing production software.

Skills

C#

Python

OOP / Design Patterns

SW Architecture

Software-hardware integration

Project management

Learning agility

Education

Bachelor's or master's in engineering (Software Engineering or Computer Science preferred)

4+ years software design and development experience

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.

The Future Forward organization is Intuitive's advanced concepts group. We explore emerging technologies, prototype next-generation solutions, and build software experiences that shape the future of robotic-assisted surgery.

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:

Joining Intuitive Surgical means joining a team dedicated to using technology to benefit patients by improving surgical efficacy and decreasing surgical invasiveness, with patient safety as our highest priority.

The Automation, Equipment and Test (AET) Team is responsible for making the robots that make the robots . We develop and maintain equipment, fixtures, and tooling that optimize and streamline the manufacturing process of instruments and accessories.

This candidate will play a key role as part of the AET team to enable the design and manufacturing of new surgical robotic systems, instruments, and accessories. This engineer will develop software and algorithms for custom semi-automated electro-mechanical systems that assure products' performance, reliability and safety. The position will require close collaboration with product development teams, systems analysts, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, manufacturing engineers, and quality engineers to build a coherent diagnostic strategy and develop software to implement that strategy.

Essential Job Duties

This role requires but is not limited to:

• Design, develop, and implement software solutions for equipment that builds and tests medical devices such as robotic systems, instruments and accessories


• Build and maintain software infrastructures that enable value extraction from the data generated


• Analyze and optimize manufacturing processes to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance productivity


• Understand products' operations and controls, and develop the means to ensure their integrity in volume production


• Document, direct and perform IQOQPQ and DQ validation activities on manufacturing equipment


• Develop, document and follow good software development practices


• Work independently to overcome roadblocks with minimum guidance


• Take ownership of manufacturing software and work with cross-functional teams to drive projects to completion


• Support and enhance existing production software

Qualifications

Required Skills and Experience:

• Strong proficiency in modern programming languages, frameworks and tools (C#/Python is a plus)


• Solid understanding of OOP/OOD/Design Patterns/SW Architecture


• Passionate about technologies and loves programming


• Ability to map, design, develop, and test software solutions from inception to launch


• Exercises judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results


• Experience in integrating software with hardware components such as PLCs, sensors, and robotics


• Experience in driving, planning, executing, and delivering projects and proactively communicating about progress, roadblocks


• Ability to quickly learn and adapt to new technologies and methodologies


• Motivated to continually improve best practices


• Ability to work with vague and dynamic requirements


• Excellent ability to communicate effectively (verbal and non-verbal) with cross-functional teams and stakeholders

Required Education and Training:

• Bachelor's or master's in engineering (Software Engineering or Computer Science preferred)


• Minimum of 4 years of software design and development experience (higher degree can offset years of experience)

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues


• Strong industry experience in architecture and development of scalable, production quality software systems


• Fully understand Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)


• Familiarity with data engineering, especially for industrial domain


• Experience developing robotic or electro-mechanical systems, including control systems


• Experience in medical device manufacturing or regulated engineering environment


• Knowledge of software security principles and practices is plus


• Knowledge of control systems and industrial automation protocols (e.g., Mod