Staff Mechanical Engineer, Advanced Product Development (Robotics)

Socket.dev; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Intuitive Surgical is a global leader in robotic-assisted surgery and minimally invasive care. We are seeking a hands-on Staff Mechanical Engineer to design and verify mechanical concepts for next‑generation surgical robots and components, integrating kinematics, actuation, and sensing.

This role offers impact in early product development within a small, innovative team. You will apply deep mechanical design expertise to develop safe, manufacturable solutions, work with cross-functional teams,

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering or related engineering or scientific discipline.
• Minimum 12 years designing mechanical engineering products or relevant experience (Robotics experience preferred).
• Experience with FDA QSR 21 CFR Part 820, ISO 13485, IEC 60601, and other related external standards.
• Experience working in medical devices or similar regulated industries.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop the mechanical hardware of new robotic systems to meet performance, manufacturability, and reliability specifications, including design, documentation, and procurement of components and subassemblies.
• Develop and implement design strategies for new products to meet target costs and performance requirements.
• Lead multi‑disciplinary technical teams on the design, requirements generation, documentation, pilot builds, and characterization for robotic joints and subsystems.
• Create detailed mechanical assemblies and prototypes with consideration for performance, first principles thinking, cost, manufacturability and safety.
• Development and documentation of mechanical design and manufacturing documentation including inspection procedures, assembly instructions, new manufacturing processes, test methods, purchase specifications, BOMs, component / assembly drawings per the company’s operating procedures.
• Provide written protocols, reports, drawings, specifications, presentations, and perform technical design reviews to solicit feedback on design activities on an ongoing basis. Contribute to budget, resource, and planning of technical projects and workstreams.
• Create and maintain SolidWorks CAD databases, including assemblies, components, and detailed drawings.
• Contribute to and make decisions based on risk assessments, industry standards, and regulatory frameworks.
• Observe pre‑clinical and clinical cases and interface with clinical experts to inform designs and identify user needs.
• Document, prepare and review patent submissions.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Electromechanical design

SolidWorks CAD

GD&T proficiency

Design for manufacturability

Regulatory awareness

Strong communication

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Supplier interaction

Education

BS/MS in Mechatronics/Mechanical/Systems Engineering

12+ years mechanical design experience (robotics preferred)

Tools

SolidWorks

Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

Job 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.

Primary Function of Position

The Advanced Product Development group within Intuitive Surgical is searching for a hands‑on engineer with a focus on the mechanical design of next generation surgical robot systems and robotic components, contributing to the exploration of new applications of surgical robotics. This role is an exciting opportunity to join a small and innovative team in the early phases of product development.

The hands‑on Staff Mechanical Engineer will conceptualize, develop, and verify new mechanical design concepts for next generation of minimally invasive surgical robot systems. The candidate will apply their product development expertise to next generation da Vinci designs, leveraging their creativity and engineering analysis to the design of kinematics, robotic actuation and sensing solutions. The candidate will have the technical depth to resolve complex mechanical, materials, and mechanical design issues. In addition, the candidate shall have the ability to work in an interdisciplinary team to analyze and provide solutions for both lower‑level component and higher‑level system issues. They must excel in a high‑energy, focused, small‑team environment, and have a commitment to high quality prototypes and concepts. They must demonstrate a track record of developing, creating, and innovative engineering solutions. A strong sense of shared responsibility and shared reward is required as well as a commitment to high product quality.

Essential Job Duties

• Design and develop the mechanical hardware of new robotic systems to meet performance, manufacturability, and reliability specifications, including design, documentation, and procurement of components and subassemblies.
• Develop and implement design strategies for new products to meet target costs and performance requirements.
• Lead multi‑disciplinary technical teams on the design, requirements generation, documentation, pilot builds, and characterization for robotic joints and subsystems.
• Create detailed mechanical assemblies and prototypes with consideration for performance, first principles thinking, cost, manufacturability and safety.
• Development and documentation of mechanical design and manufacturing documentation including inspection procedures, assembly instructions, new manufacturing processes, test methods, purchase specifications, BOMs, component / assembly drawings per the company’s operating procedures.
• Provide written protocols, reports, drawings, specifications, presentations, and perform technical design reviews to solicit feedback on design activities on an ongoing basis. Contribute to budget, resource, and planning of technical projects and workstreams.
• Create and maintain SolidWorks CAD databases, including assemblies, components, and detailed drawings.
• Contribute to and make decisions based on risk assessments, industry standards, and regulatory frameworks.
• Observe pre‑clinical and clinical cases and interface with clinical experts to inform designs and identify user needs.
• Document, prepare and review patent submissions.

Required Skills and Experience

• Organizational skills and ability to manage deliverables under tight deadlines, set priorities, and manage time effectively.
• Possess a strong mechanical aptitude and a finely honed intuition for electromechanical design
• Familiarity with volume manufacturing processes which may include cast metal, injection molded plastic, sheet metal stamping, and others.
• Self‑driven to achieve individual and collaborative results in a high‑energy, small, focused team environment, to maintain a strong sense of shared responsibility and shared reward, and to foster a positive and encouraging group culture.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and able to build clarity and consensus among cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of material and component selection criteria as well as design for reliability and manufacturability best practices
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills such as FEA, statistical, and experimental design
• Exemplary communication and documentation skills with the ability to clearly present to larger groups and distill complex information.
• Experience interfacing with external suppliers, consultants, customers, and potential business partners.
• Highly proficient in CAD design, drawing, and GD&T proficiency to design and document complex mechanisms and systems (SolidWorks preferred).

Required Education and Training

• BS or MS in Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering or related engineering or scientific discipline
• Minimum 12 years designing mechanical engineering products or relevant experience (Robotics experience preferred)

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Project management, planning, and change management skills. Able to manage multiple fast‑paced projects simultaneously.
• Experience with FDA QSR 21 CFR Part 820, ISO 13485, IEC 60601, and other related external standards.
• Experience working in medical devices or similar regulated industries

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.

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.