Sr. Electro Mechanical Systems Engineer

Intuitive; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 138,400 - 162,800; Full time

Job summary

Intuitive is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to develop and validate innovative medical devices. This role focuses on designing new product architectures for robotic surgical instruments, requiring expertise in electromechanical systems.

The ideal candidate will have a background in acoustic and ultrasound technology, along with strong mechanical design skills. Join us in transforming the future of healthcare!

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in acoustic and ultrasound transducer design.
• Expertise in acoustic principles and advanced signal processing.
• Experience developing precision mechanical components and assemblies.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and integrate high-performance sensors.
• Create new product architectures for next-generation instruments.
• Analyze and test product designs.

Skills

Acoustic and ultrasound transducer design

Signal processing

Mechanical design

Electromechanical systems

CAD software (SolidWorks)

Education

BS / MS / PhD in Mechanical / Electrical / Systems Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Matlab

Finite Element Analysis tools

Job description

• Ways of Working: Onsite - This job is fully onsite.
• Employee Type: Employee
• Min. Salary Region 1: 162800 USD
• Global Job Level (HCM): Professional 4 (11)
• Min. Salary Region 2: 138400 USD

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

Primary Function of Position: Intuitive Surgical designs and manufactures highly complex mechanical systems for use in surgery. The Mechanical Engineer is responsible for developing, documenting, and validating new product designs, as well as improving existing designs to meet the needs of our customers. Contribute your systems engineering and electro‑mechanical engineering design and analysis skills to a dynamic development team creating complex equipment used in minimally invasive robotic surgery. This position will focus on engineering new product architecture for next generation instruments. You will design and develop next generation of sensors, transducers and electro‑mechanical parts and assemblies, with careful consideration for electrical performance, noise, scale and cost. You will be able to conceptualize and analyze complex electromechanical assemblies, create theoretical models, conduct empirical confirmation and perform computer assisted simulations. Individuals in this role must demonstrate electromechanical and mechanical/mechanism engineering design experience.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Design, develop and integrate high performance sensors, ultrasound transducers for imaging applications and temperature sensors for novel applications.
• Create new product architectures for next generation instruments based on product functional and design specifications.
• Conceptualize and analyze complex electromechanical assemblies, create theoretical models, conduct empirical confirmation and perform computer assisted simulations.
• Design, develop and select sensor architectures that can be prototyped and scaled for high volume.
• Design and integrate high‑fidelity sensor systems to monitor real‑time variables such as temperature, pressure, and bio‑impedance.
• Broad and deep understanding of the advantages and limitations of various fabrication methods for custom designed parts, including but not limited to CNC milling, sheet metal, casting, plastic molding and 3D printing.
• Work collaboratively within multi‑disciplinary teams to define requirements for new and current designs.
• Analyze and test product designs.
• Identify and research new vendors/processes to manufacture components.
• Develop and perform component verification testing and product validation testing.
• Provide engineering support to Manufacturing, Materials, Test Engineering, and Service to facilitate transfer of designs.
• Competence using test and measurement equipment, such as force and height gauges, Oscilloscope and RF equipment.
• Knowledge of international safety standards (e.g., IEC 60601-1, IEC 60601-2-2).
• Effective documentation, including test plans/reports, specifications, design intent and analysis, design review presentations, detailed mechanical drawings (ASME Y14.5), and assembly work instructions.
• Shepherd projects through the design control process (design specification, design review, risk analysis, etc.), and support New Product Introduction personnel in initial builds (procurement, assembly, troubleshooting).

Qualifications

Skills, Experience, Education, & Training:

• BS / MS / PhD in Mechanical / Electrical / Systems Engineering and at least 8 years of relevant experience.
• Hands‑on experience in acoustic and ultrasound transducer design, characterization, and materials selection.
• Expertise in acoustic principles, wave propagation, ultrasound transducer technologies, and advanced signal processing.
• Sensor, transducer integration (mechanical and electrical) with flex, FFC, FPC and PCB circuits.
• Interact with suppliers for electronics hardware (PCBAs, power supplies, interconnects, etc.) and ability to troubleshoot complex electro‑mechanical systems. Proficiency with lab test equipment and reading electrical schematics and electrical hardware design documentation.
• Experience developing precision mechanical components and assemblies.
• New product introduction/development desirable.
• Great attitude, eagerness, willingness, and ability to take initiative, works well with others in team environment.
• Independent and self‑driven, with a reputation for initiating action to quickly and effectively develop understanding and address issues.
• Excellent communication skills to build up internal/external relationships.
• Supports less experienced team members in making effective decisions and resolving issues.
• Demonstrated ability to use engineering analysis to optimize and justify design decisions, including FEA, tolerance analysis, flow analysis, load and torque analysis.
• Experienced in ISO 9001, or medical device manufacturing environment or another regulated field preferred.
• Documentation skills must be excellent. Excellent CAD experience. SolidWorks preferred (3D design & surfacing), Matlab, Finite Element Analysis (such as Ansys/ Pro Mechanica).
• Quantitative approach to problem solving.
• Machine shop skills are desirable.
• Medical device experience a plus.
• Basic statistics, Six Sigma, and data analysis skills preferred.
• Willingness to travel periodically to work with suppliers.

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.

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.

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.

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