Sr MLOps Engineer

Socket.dev; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Intuitive Surgical in Sunnyvale is seeking an experienced infrastructure/MLOps engineer to design, build, and maintain the ML lifecycle infrastructure and tooling. You will work with ML engineers and software developers to ensure seamless model integration and scalable value delivery.

The role emphasizes independence, fast pace, and hands-on implementation of modern ML development techniques across a production environment.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in infrastructure, DevOps, or MLOps or equivalent experience.
• Production Kubernetes experience (networking, storage, RBAC, troubleshooting).
• Strong Python/Bash scripting and IaC tools such as Ansible, Helm or Terraform.
• Experience with distributed storage (S3/MinIO) and CI/CD pipelines.
• Solid Linux admin and networking fundamentals; good runbook writing.

Responsibilities

• Bootstrap and maintain a production-grade Kubernetes cluster with networking and storage integration.
• Deploy ML orchestration tooling (e.g., Metaflow) and artifact/dataset storage for reproducible workflows.
• Validate GPU node health across diverse hardware and ensure driver/CUDA standardization.
• Design migration playbooks, port workflows, migrate datasets/artifacts, and roll out updates.
• Write runbooks, architecture docs, and disaster recovery procedures.
• Participate in on-call rotation and incident response for platform-level issues.
• Collaborate with IT/Security on identity integration and access controls.
• Continuously improve reliability, cost efficiency, and developer experience.

Skills

Kubernetes prod

Python scripting

Bash scripting

CI/CD pipelines

Linux networking

Education

Bachelor's in CS/Eng

Tools

Metaflow

GitLab CI

ArgoCD

S3/MinIO

Job description

Primary Function of Position

In this role, you will be responsible for designing, building, and maintaining the infrastructure and tools necessary to support the entire machine learning lifecycle, from development to deployment. You will work closely with ML engineers and software developers across Intuitive to ensure that machine learning models are seamlessly integrated into our systems and deliver value at scale. The ideal candidate is an independent and fast-paced engineer with excellent problem-solving skills and practical working knowledge of modern ML development techniques.

Essential Job Duties

• Bootstrap and maintain a production-grade Kubernetes cluster, including CNI networking and storage integration
• Deploy and configure ML orchestration tooling (e.g., Metaflow) and artifact/dataset storage solutions to support reproducible ML workflows
• Validate GPU node health and configuration across heterogeneous hardware (B200, L40S, A6000, V100), including driver/CUDA standardization and topology checks
• Design and execute team migration playbooks, working directly with engineering teams to port workflows, migrate datasets/artifacts, and roll out tool updates
• Write and maintain runbooks, architecture documentation, and disaster recovery procedures
• Participate in on-call rotation and incident response for platform-level issues
• Collaborate with IT/Security on identity integration, access control, and compliance requirements
• Continuously evaluate and adopt infrastructure best practices for reliability, cost, and developer experience

Required Skills and Experience

• 3+ years of experience in infrastructure, DevOps, or MLOps roles, or equivalent practical experience
• Demonstrated experience operating Kubernetes in production (networking, storage, RBAC, troubleshooting)
• Strong scripting/automation skills in Python and/or Bash; comfort with Infrastructure-as-Code tools (Ansible, Helm, Terraform, or similar)
• Hands-on experience with at least one distributed storage system (S3, MinIO, NetApp, or similar)
• Experience building or maintaining CI/CD pipelines (GitLab CI, ArgoCD, or equivalent)
• Solid understanding of Linux systems administration and networking fundamentals
• Excellent communication and documentation skills, with the ability to write clear runbooks and migration guides
• High degree of autonomy and comfort working across the full stack, iteratively building solutions

Required Education and Training

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; or equivalent experience

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with ML orchestration frameworks (Metaflow, MLflow, Kubeflow, or similar)
• Familiarity with GPU infrastructure (NVIDIA drivers, CUDA, NVLink/NUMA topology, MIG partitioning)
• Prior experience in a regulated industry (healthcare, finance, or similar) where auditability and access control are critical
• Experience leading or supporting large-scale infrastructure migrations with multiple stakeholder 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 employeeswho 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'sstart 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 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.

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.