Sr Software Test Engineer - Future Forward Team

Intuitive; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Intuitive Surgical seeks a Senior Software Test Engineer for the Future Forward team. You will own the full system verification lifecycle for robotic surgical systems, from strategy to execution, working with development, clinical, and regulatory groups to ensure safe, reliable software.

The role emphasizes test strategy, protocol design, and defect management, with strong automation and CI/CD experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of requirements and system software architecture and translating them into test methods.
• Proven experience planning and executing V&V activities for medical devices under quality/regulatory frameworks.
• Solid foundation in systems engineering, SQA, and software design principles.
• Hands-on with failure mode and risk analysis (FMEA/FTA).

Responsibilities

• Lead system verification for robotic surgical systems; own test strategy, design, and execution.
• Design and execute test scripts and protocols for multi-disciplinary robotic systems.
• Generate test reports with traceability to requirements.
• Manage defects end-to-end; drive root cause analysis and cross-functional resolution.
• Contribute to requirements discussions and design decisions with system test perspective.
• Lead regression analysis to ensure changes do not introduce new risk.
• Analyze test data and present executive summaries with actionable recommendations.
• Understand the system technically and from the user perspective to improve coverage.

Skills

System verification

Test automation

Python

MATLAB

JavaScript

CI/CD

HIL testing

FMEA/FTA

SQA

Embedded systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

pytest

Google Test

CI/CD tools

HIL rigs

Job description

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.

We’re looking for a Senior Software Test Engineer to join our Future Forward engineering team - a high-energy, close-knit group building the next generation of robotic surgical systems. This isn’t a back-of-the-line QA role. You’ll be a core part of the team, shaping how we verify complex surgical software from the ground up.

You’ll own the full system verification lifecycle - from test strategy and protocol design to execution, reporting, and defect management - and work shoulder-to-shoulder with development, clinical, systems, and regulatory teams to get it right.

If you thrive in fast-moving environments, love digging into hard problems, and take pride in building things that work reliably when it matters most, this role is for you.

Responsibilities

• Lead system verification for robotic surgical systems - own the top‑level test strategy, design, develop, and execute test protocols, and drive them through to completion.
• Design and execute test scripts and protocols for functional software verification across complex, multi‑disciplinary robotic systems.
• Generate test reports with complete requirements traceability, ensuring every requirement under test is accounted for.
• Manage defects end-to‑end - log issues, drive root cause analysis, assess impact, and collaborate with software and cross‑functional teams to resolution.
• Contribute to requirements discussions and bring the system test perspective into design decisions early, not as an afterthought.
• Participate in design change reviews, assess test impact, and lead regression analysis to ensure changes don’t introduce new risk.
• Analyze test data, identify non‑conformance trends, and synthesize findings into clear executive summaries with actionable design improvement recommendations.
• Understand the system deeply - both technically and from the user’s perspective - and use that understanding to drive smarter, more robust test coverage.

Required Education and Training

• Bachelor’s degree or above in Computer Science, Software Engineer, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in testing complex electro‑mechanical or robotic systems (6 years for Master’s degree holders).

Required Skills and Experience

• Deep understanding of requirements and system software architecture, with strong ability to translate them into effective test methods.
• Proven experience planning and executing Verification and Validation (V&V) activities for medical devices under quality and regulatory compliance frameworks.
• Solid foundation in systems engineering, Software Quality Assurance (SQA), and software design principles.
• First‑principles thinker with hands‑on experience in failure mode and risk analysis (FMEA/FTA).
• Strong debugging skills across complex embedded software and electromechanical systems.
• Excellent communicator - you can write a crisp test report and explain a technical issue to a clinical stakeholder without missing a beat.

Preferred Skills and Experience

Test automation experience is highly preferred - we’re actively building automated verification pipelines, and candidates with a strong automation background will stand out. This includes:

• Hands‑on experience designing and implementing automated test frameworks for software or hardware systems.
• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, JavaScript, or similar scripting languages for test automation.
• Experience with unit test frameworks (e.g., pytest, unittest, Google Test).
• Experience with Hardware‑In‑the‑Loop (HIL) testing environments.
• Familiarity with CI/CD integration for automated test execution.

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.

Accommodation & Accessibility Notice:

Intuitive is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require assistance or an accommodation during any part of the application or interview process, please contact People Services at [e-mail].

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.