Staff Vision Systems Engineer

Intuitive; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Intuitive in Sunnyvale, CA seeks an experienced Vision Systems Engineer to join a multidisciplinary team across the product lifecycle, from development to sustaining engineering. You will apply electrical and optical expertise to enhance performance, reliability, and manufacturability of robotic-assisted surgery systems.

The role demands hands-on problem solving, strong collaboration with optics, firmware, mechanical, and manufacturing teams, and a passion for delivering high-quality, safe

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics and Robotics or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 8 years ofengineering experience in medical devices, robotics, imaging systems, precision electromechanical products, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Familiarity with board level PCA/PCB design, signal integrity, and electromagnetic compliance (EMC).
• Demonstrated experience across multiple stages of the product lifecycle, including concept development, design, prototyping, verification, validation, manufacturing transfer, and sustaining engineering.
• Hands-on engineer who enjoys solving challenging technical problems.
• Willing to travel up to 10% as needed to support suppliers, manufacturing, or development activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical investigations spanning design, manufacturing, and field performance throughout the product lifecycle.
• Conduct detailed root-cause investigations for product, manufacturing, and field issues with corrective actions.
• Design, develop, test, validate, and implement engineering solutions to improve product performance and manufacturability.
• Develop manufacturing processes to diagnose failures and repair returned products.
• Drive engineering decisions using data analysis and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Mentor junior engineers and lead design reviews to ensure robustness and quality.

Skills

Electrical Engineering

Mechatronics & Robotics

Analytical thinking

Troubleshooting

Cross-functional collaboration

Strong communication

Root cause analysis

Education

Bachelor degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics and Robotics

Tools

Python

C++

C

C#

JavaScript

Job description

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

PrimaryFunction

We are seekingan experienced andhighly motivated VisionSystems Engineerto join ourmultidisciplinary engineeringteam. This roleoffersthe opportunityto work acrossa large portion of the productlifecycle—from development and designthrough verification, manufacturing, sustaining engineering, and field support.

As a hands-ontechnical team member, youwill leverage expertisein electrical and optics to solve complextechnical challenges, improveproduct performance, anddrivecontinuous improvement.You Will collaborateclosely with cross-functional teams toinvestigate field issues, enhance manufacturabilityand reliability, andcontribute to thedevelopment of next-generation vision systems.

Success in thisrole requires technicaldepth, intellectual curiosity, strong analytical andtroubleshooting skills,and a collaborativemindset. You thrivein fast-pacedenvironments, enjoy solvingchallenging problems, andare passionate aboutdeliveringrobust, high-quality products thatmake a meaningfulimpact.

Key Responsibilities

Product Engineering & Technical Leadership

• Lead technical investigationsspanningdesign, manufacturing,and field performancethroughout the productlifecycle


• Conduct detailed rootcause investigations forproduct, manufacturing,and field issues, developing effective correctiveand preventive actions


• Design, develop, test, validate, and implement engineeringsolutions to improveproduct performance, reliability, and manufacturability


• Develop manufacturing processes to diagnose failures and repair returned products


• Drive engineering decisionsusing sound technicaljudgment, data analysis, andstructured problem-solvingmethodologies


• Participate in andlead design reviews, technical discussions,and risk assessmentsto ensure designrobustness andproductquality


• Mentor junior engineersby sharing technicalknowledge, engineeringbest practices, andstructured problem-solvingapproaches

Cross-FunctionalCollaboration

• Partner closely withOptical, Electrical, Firmware, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Test, Quality, Clinical, and Operations teamsto resolvecomplex technical challenges


• Contribute to newproduct development byproviding design feedbackbased on lessonslearned from releasedproductsand field experience


• Communicate complextechnicalconcepts clearly toboth technical andnon-technical stakeholders

Technical Expertise

• Design and executeengineering experiments, Design of Experiments(DOE), verification testing, and product life-cycle validation activities


• Troubleshoot mechanical,electrical, and system-level issues usingstructured, data-driven rootcause methodologies


• Perform circuit analysisand electrical troubleshootingas required


• Apply failure analysistechniques andcollaborate with externalanalytical laboratoriesutilizing methods suchas FTIR, X-ray imaging, SEM/TEM, EDS, andrelated technologies


• Working knowledge ofscriptingor programmingin Python, C, C++, C#, orJavaScript is desirableto support automation, analysis, and engineeringworkflows

Manufacturing & SupplierDevelopment

• Drive Design forManufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly(DFA), and Designfor Serviceability (DFS) initiatives for componentsand subsystems


• Partner with suppliersto improve componentquality, manufacturability, and overall productperformance


• Support supplier qualification, manufacturing transfer, production ramp-up, and yield improvementinitiatives


• Collaborate with Manufacturingand Quality Engineeringtosupport sustainingengineering and continuousproduct improvements

Qualifications

Education andExperience

• Bachelor degree orhigher in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics and Robotics or a relatedengineering discipline


• Minimum 8 years ofengineering experiencein medical devices, robotics, imaging systems, precision electromechanicalproducts, or equivalent combination of education and experience


• Familiarity with board level PCA/PCB design, signal integrity, and electromagnetic compliance (EMC)


• Demonstrated experienceacross multiple stagesof the productlifecycle, including conceptdevelopment, design, prototyping, verification, validation, manufacturing transfer, and sustaining engineering


• Skilled at planningand executing experimentsusing modern testand measurement equipment


• A hands-onengineer who enjoyssolving challenging technicalproblems


• Curious, analytical, anddriven to understandroot causes ratherthan symptoms


• Passionate about designingreliable, manufacturable, and high-qualityproducts


• Comfortable working infast-paced, highlycollaborative environments


• An effective communicatorwith strong presentationskills and confidenceleading technical designreviews


• Willing to travelup to 10%as needed tosupport suppliers, manufacturing, or development activities

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