Senior Embedded Software Engineer - Vision

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:

Contribute broadly to the Video Software Engineering Group, responsible for the Linux-based, embedded software that controls the real-time, high-definition, stereo video processing engine and intra-body illumination at the heart of the da Vinci™ Surgical System. The successful candidate must thrive in a fast paced, focused team environment, be able to derive solutions from rough requirements, and care deeply about customer needs and high product quality. Intuitive Surgical believes in shared responsibility and shared reward.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Our team’s primary goal is to deliver real-time, high-definition, stereo surgical video with the best possible image quality for use in surgical procedures. To achieve these goals, you will be involved in the following activities:

• Detailed design, development, documentation, and verification of product-focused, rock-solid embedded software.
• Bring-up and integration of new, high-performance cameras and image-sensors.
• Integration and evaluation of advanced camera pipeline video processing algorithms.
• Development and enhancements of the color and power control functions for intra-operative illumination.
• Working on a cross-functional team at multiple levels, from architectural definition and implementation to system integration and final product testing.
• Contributing to other areas of software development, such as:
  • extension of current processing frameworks to new hardware platforms
  • design and development of offline simulation environments to facilitate rapid software development and test
  • hardware / software diagnostic tool design and development
• Aiding in formal risk analyses and development of software mitigations to minimize potential failures.

Qualifications

Skill/Job Requirements:

Skills will be measured by evaluating education, training, skills, and experience.  To be successful in this role, a person will likely meet the following criteria:

• Minimum Bachelor's or master's degree in a STEM field, with a minimum of 8 years of industry experience in developing C/C++ software for embedded systems.
• Experience with developing software in an embedded Linux environment.
• Familiarity with programming and configuration of hardware devices.
• Experience with scripting languages (e.g. Python, JavaScript, MATLAB, etc.) for diagnostics or test automation.
• Demonstrated experience and comfort with all phases of the product development lifecycle, including design, documentation, implementation, debug, verification, validation, and transfer to manufacturing.

In addition, the following areas of expertise are especially desirable:

• Direct experience with imaging devices, e.g., cameras, light sensors, video/graphics hardware.
• Knowledge of image-processing, CUDA, ML, and/or FPGA integration.
• Experience as a technical lead for cross-functional SW/HW development efforts.
• Experience with designing software products for mission critical applications.

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 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.