Staff Mechanical Design Engineer

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

Job summary

Intuitive is looking for a Mechanical Design Engineer to lead the design of components and systems crucial for robotic-assisted surgery. This role includes collaboration across various teams and requires a strong background in precision mechanical engineering.

The ideal candidate will possess 7-12 years of relevant experience, along with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. Join us in transforming the future of healthcare with design innovation!

Qualifications

• 7–12 years of mechanical design experience in medical devices or robotics.
• Hands-on understanding of mechanical-optical interfaces.
• Experience across multiple phases of the product lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design of components and subsystems.
• Collaborate with various engineering teams to resolve challenges.
• Generate comprehensive engineering documentation.

Skills

Mechanical design expertise

SolidWorks proficiency

DFM/DFA principles

Problem-solving skills

Effective communication

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline

Tools

SolidWorks

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

Key Responsibilities

Mechanical Design & Subsystem Ownership

• Lead the mechanical design of components, mechanisms, and subsystems supporting optics, illumination, electronics packaging, sealing, sterilization, and thermal performance.
• Translate system and subsystem requirements into detailed mechanical designs, specifications, and drawings.
• Drive detailed design execution from concept through prototype build, verification, and manufacturing transfer.
• Apply precision engineering principles, tolerance‑driven design, and best practices for robust mechanical integration.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Optics, Electrical Engineering, Firmware, Manufacturing, Reliability, Test, and Materials teams to resolve design tradeoffs and integration challenges.
• Actively participate in design reviews, risk assessments, and failure analysis discussions.
• Communicate technical concepts clearly across disciplines.

Prototyping, Testing & Analysis

• Build and iterate on proof-of-concept and engineering prototypes.
• Perform detailed 2D/3D tolerance analysis, stack‑up modeling, and basic FEA/simulation to validate design margins.
• Develop and execute verification plans, DOEs, and durability testing to validate performance over the product lifecycle.
• Troubleshoot design and prototype issues using data‑driven root‑cause analysis.

Manufacturing, DFM/DFA & Supplier Engagement

• Drive DFM/DFA/DFS for assigned components and subsystems to enable scalable manufacturing.
• Collaborate with suppliers on fabrication, finishing, and joining processes (precision machining, molding, casting, coatings, bonding, etc.).
• Support supplier qualification, manufacturing ramp, and yield improvement activities.
• Partner with Manufacturing and Quality to support design transfer, sustaining engineering, and reliability improvements.

Documentation & Compliance

• Generate complete engineering documentation including drawings, tolerance analyses, specifications, test reports, and DHF content.
• Support regulatory and quality‑system requirements throughout development.
• Contribute to intellectual property through invention disclosures and technical documentation.

Mentorship & Technical Growth

• Mentor junior engineers through design execution, best practices, and technical problem solving.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of design processes, tools, and standards within the team.

Qualifications

Required Skills & Experience

Technical Expertise

• Strong experience designing precision mechanical components and assemblies for electro‑mechanical or opto‑mechanical systems.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks 3D CAD, including complex assemblies, GD&T, and functional dimensioning.
• Solid understanding of tolerance analysis, stack‑up modeling, and mechanical simulation tools.
• Experience applying DFM/DFA principles for complex or high‑volume assemblies.
• Hands‑on understanding of mechanical–optical interfaces, electronics packaging, thermal effects, and sterilization‑driven design constraints.
• Experience designing fixtures, jigs, and basic calibration or alignment tools.
• Proven ability to independently own and execute complex mechanical designs.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and comfort working in fast‑paced, iterative development environments.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for cross‑functional collaboration.
• Ability to manage multiple technical efforts while maintaining clarity and accountability.

Education & Experience Requirements

• BS or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, Biomedical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 7–12 years of mechanical design experience in medical devices, robotics, imaging systems, or similarly demanding fields.
• Demonstrated experience across multiple phases of the product lifecycle: concept, design, prototyping, verification, and manufacturing transfer.
• Medical device experience preferred but not required.

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.