Senior Manufacturing Engineer, New Product Introduction

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. 

Were 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. 

Primary Function of Position

The Sr. NPI Manufacturing Engineer in the Future Forward group within Intuitive Surgical will support the development of manufacturing processes and equipment for endoscopes, instruments, and accessories for a new robotic surgical platform.  This role will help define the product from early prototypes through V&V and product launch. 

Essential Job Duties

• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary R&D teams to transfer new product designs to manufacturing
• Assess manufacturability of current designs, provide DFM/A input to R&D teams, and identify critical steps for further process development
• Develop calibration and test processes to be performed in manufacturing. Examples include:
  • Manual inspections of physical product characteristics
  • Semi-automated or software-guided test processes
  • Calibration routines for optomechanical assemblies and robotic instruments
• Implement custom assembly and test equipment
• Characterize and validate new manufacturing and test processes using statistical tools such as Design of Experiments (DOE), Process Capability (Cpk), and Gage R&R.
• Identify and document process output requirements and process-related risks (Process FMEA) for new product designs
• Identify and implement manufacturing process controls, using PFMEA as a guide
• Provide daily support for pilot manufacturing lines

Required Skills and Experience

• 6+ years of experience
• Experience with qualifying manufacturing processes, test methods, and equipment
• Proficient using statistics to analyze data and draw conclusions
• Familiarity with mechanical CAD (Solidworks), ERP (SAP), PLM (Agile), and ALM (Polarion) software
• Ability to synthesize information from multiple technical areas
• Strong organizational skills and proven ability to work on multiple fast-paced project threads simultaneously

Required Education and Training

• BS in relevant engineering discipline

Working Conditions

• none

Preferred Skills and Experience  

• Knowledge of materials, plastics, metals, composites, or optical components
• Experience with advanced joining processes (e.g. adhesives, soldering, laser welding, crimping, swaging)
• Experience employing data analytics tools for control and monitoring of manufacturing processes

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.