Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

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 Senior Mechanical Engineer reports to a Senior Manager of Mechanical Design Engineering and plays a key role in the development, stabilization, and scaling of da Vinci robotic platforms. The Senior Mecahnical Design Engineer will design components on da Vinci robotic platforms, drive decisions that align with program goals, and deliver high-quality, innovative engineering solutions that support Intuitive’s mission to advance minimally invasive care.

Essential Job Duties

• Design components and produce mechanical drawings in a regulated environment for volume manufacturing processes. May include sheet metal enclosures, weldments, injection molded plastic, etc
• Perform various types of detailed engineering analyses (tolerance stack, process simulation, thermal or structural FEA) to ensure fit/form/function assemblies
• Rapid development and iteration of full-scale prototypes of candidate designs and that satisfy design requirements.
• Support production via troubleshooting process and component problems, acting as a primary troubleshooter for line down issue recovery
• Collaborate with manufacturing to create product assembly tooling, fixtures and instructions.

Required Skills and Experience

• Minimum of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree, 6 years with a Master’s, or 3 years with a PhD.
• Experience with machine design, preferably robot or mechanical systems design experience. Surgical product experience is a plus

• Experience in ASME Y14.5 GD&T
• Experience using CAD and creating technical drawings. SolidWorks experience preferred
• Comfortable with various phases of the product development lifecycle including design, implementation, debug, verification, qualification, and transfer
• Experience with a variety of manufacturing processes, including castings, plastic injection molding (PIM), sheet metal fabrication, and machining.
• Excellent communication (written, oral) and interpersonal skills, and ability to communicate effectively.  

Required Education and Training

• Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering or similar Engineering Discipline BSME, BASC, etc

Working Conditions  

• May involve extended periods of computer-based design and analysis work.
• Must be comfortable occasionally working in lab environments, including prototype assembly, mechanical testing, and safe use of standard mechanical tools and fixtures.
• Must be able to lift and handle 25 pounds.
• Occasional travel to supplier and manufacturing sites may be required.
• This role follows a set schedule with a minimum of four days on-site per week in Sunnyvale.

Preferred Skills and Experience 

• Preferred to have deep experience designing in electronics enclosures in sheet metal and/or structural sheet metal
• Preferred to have proficiency performing structural or thermal FEA , tolerance stacks or other advanced analysis tools to design components or assemblies
• Experience in regulated industries (e.g., medical devices, aerospace, automotive) with working knowledge of standards and documentation frameworks such as ISO 13485, FDA QSR, IEC 60601, ISO 14971, ASTM standards, DHF, FMEA, and V&V protocols.
• Preferred to have demonstrated effective collaboration with cross-functional teams like system analysts, field/clinical engineers, human factors, industrial design, UI design, etc.
• Preferred to have experience with design processes including Failure Modes and Effects Analyses (FMEA) and/or synthesizing design requirements for systems

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.

Accommodation & Accessibility Notice:

Intuitive is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require assistance or an accommodation during any part of the application or interview process, please contact People Services at [email protected].

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.