Sr. Machine Learning Engineer, Medical Imaging

Intuitive; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Intuitive in Sunnyvale is seeking a senior algorithm engineer to lead the design and evaluation of next-generation planning and guidance software for the Ion endoluminal system, a robotic platform for minimally invasive biopsy. You will develop advanced algorithms to analyze chest medical images and integrate multiple modalities (CT, CBCT, and X-ray) for robust segmentation and anomaly detection.

You will deploy models into high-performance C++ production environments, optimize with

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of hands-on industrial experience in algorithm development, medical imaging and computer vision.
• Production-grade AI/ML software development experience is a plus.
• Strong Python and C++ skills, and experience with PyTorch/OpenCV/MONAI/ITK/VTK.
• Familiarity with GMLP principles and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Design, prototype, and implement advanced medical imaging and ML algorithms for lung segmentation and anomaly detection.
• Deploy models into high-performance C++ production environments with optimization techniques.
• Lead end-to-end development from R&D concepts to commercial medical device software.
• Collaborate with clinical and engineering teams and document designs.

Skills

Python

C++

Medical imaging

Computer vision

PyTorch

OpenCV

TensorRT

ONNX

GMLP

Cross-functional

Education

MS or PhD in CS/EE/Biomedical Eng

Tools

PyTorch

OpenCV

MONAI

ITK

VTK

TensorRT

ONNX

Job description

Job Description

The Ion™ endoluminal system is Intuitive's new robotic platform for minimally invasive biopsy in the peripheral lung, with an initial goal of improving the early diagnosis of lung cancer. We are seeking a senior algorithm engineer to play a lead technical role in conceptualizing, designing, and evaluating our next‑generation planning and guidance software. This role is dedicated to developing advanced algorithms to analyze chest medical images for complex lung diseases. This role focuses heavily on the processing and fusion of diverse imaging modalities‑including CT, CBCT, and X‑ray images‑to perform robust lung structure segmentation, anomaly detection, and longitudinal disease tracking, ultimately improving clinical outcomes.

Drive the full cycle of medical imaging analysis software development, developing algorithms from R&D concepts into robust, commercial medical device products.

• Design, prototype, and implement advanced medical imaging and machine learning algorithms tailored for advanced lung structure segmentation, registration, respiratory anomaly detection, and bronchial analysis.
• Apply and fine‑tune state‑of‑the‑art architectures, including nnU‑Net, Vision Transformers (ViTs), DINO, Diffusion models, and Vision Language Models (VLMs), for clinical datasets.
• Architect and execute model deployment pipelines, seamlessly integrating trained models into high‑performance C++ production environments, utilizing techniques like quantization, pruning, and hardware acceleration to ensure real‑time performance on constrained medical systems.
• Support system integration and testing while generating formal design documentation and patent applications.

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of hands‑on industrial experience in algorithm development, with a deep specialization in medical imaging and computer vision. A proven track record of shipping commercial AI/ML software products is bonus.
• Exceptional proficiency in Python and C++, with a deep understanding of modern software component design for production environments.
• Proven hands‑on experience with ML frameworks and software toolkits, including PyTorch, OpenCV, MONAI, ITK, VTK, and model optimization tools such as TensorRT or ONNX.
• Experience or knowledge of the development of AI/ML features in strict alignment with Good Machine Learning Practice (GMLP) principles, ensuring data representativeness and model transparency.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective cross‑functional collaboration with clinical and engineering teams

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.

Mandatory Notices

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.

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